In Egypt, «kebab» means cubes of meat, not minced meat, grilled over charcoal until browned outside and tender inside. That sets it apart from many countries where «kebab» means minced meat on a skewer. This article is about Egyptian kebab in particular; for the bigger picture read grills in Egypt.
The meat: the first secret
Egyptian kebab is usually made from lamb or beef cut into medium cubes, from cuts with a little fat, because fat keeps the meat tender over the coals. Many grill shops thread a small piece of fat between the cubes on the skewer.
The marinade: simple on purpose
The traditional Egyptian kebab marinade is simple: onion juice or grated onion, salt and black pepper, sometimes a few light spices. The onion tenderises the meat and gives the familiar Egyptian taste without hiding the meat itself. The meat rests in it long enough before grilling.
Charcoal: what makes the difference
Egyptian kebab belongs over charcoal: skewers or a grill over well-lit embers without high flames, turned until browned on every side. The smell of charcoal is part of the dish, which is why kebab in Egypt is tied to the «kababgi», the grill shop whose craft is charcoal.
How it is served
Egyptian kebab usually comes with:
- Tahini seasoned with lemon, garlic and cumin.
- Green salad, parsley, grilled onions or tomatoes.
- Hot baladi bread, sometimes rice.
- Often beside kofta as «kebab and kofta», or in mixed grills.
Kebab, kofta and kebab halla: the difference
| Dish | Made from | Cooked how |
|---|---|---|
| Kebab | Cubes of meat | Grilled over charcoal |
| Kofta | Minced meat with onion and parsley | Grilled on skewers over charcoal |
| Kebab halla | Pieces of meat with plenty of onion | Braised in a pot, not grilled |
Kebab at Rokn Warda
At Rokn Warda in Al Khobar our meat arrives fresh, never frozen, and we grill it over charcoal. Order kebab, kofta or our mixed grills from the menu for delivery in Al Khobar and Dammam, or have them hot in our dining room. Looking for grills in Al Khobar specifically? Read charcoal grills in Al Khobar.
