Shawarma and kebab are two of the most popular Middle Eastern foods worldwide. They look similar. They use similar meats. They are both wrapped in bread. But they are different dishes. According to Foods Guy, the key differences come down to cooking method, spices, and serving style.
If you have ever wondered which one to order, this guide breaks down the differences. And if you want to try both, Gully Slice & Grill in Upper Ferntree Gully serves shawarma and kebabs side by side
What Is Shawarma?
Shawarma is meat (usually chicken or lamb) that has been marinated in a blend of Middle Eastern spices, stacked on a vertical rotisserie, and slow-roasted. According to Halal World Depot, the word “shawarma” comes from the Turkish word “cevirme,” meaning “turning.” The meat rotates slowly in front of a heat source. As the outer layer cooks, it is shaved off in thin slices.
Shawarma is typically served in a wrap or pita with pickles, tomato, onion, and a garlic or tahini sauce. The spice profile leans towards warm spices: cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, and paprika.
What Is a Kebab?
The word “kebab” covers many different dishes. According to Ask Difference, the word comes from the Persian “kabab,” meaning roasting or grilling. In its broadest sense, a kebab is any meat that is grilled or roasted.
In Australian kebab shops, “kebab” almost always refers to a doner kebab: meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie (similar to shawarma) and shaved off to order. The meat is served in a wrap, on a plate, or in a halal snack pack.
Other kebab styles include seekh kebab (ground meat on a skewer), shish kebab (cubed meat on a skewer), and adana kebab (spiced minced meat grilled on a flat skewer).
Key Differences Between Shawarma and Kebab
Cooking Method
Both shawarma and doner kebab use a vertical rotisserie. The main difference is that traditional kebab varieties (shish, seekh, adana) are cooked on horizontal skewers over a charcoal grill. Shawarma is always cooked on a vertical spit.
Spice Profile
Shawarma uses warm, aromatic spices: cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, and coriander. Kebab seasoning tends to be bolder and more direct: garlic, paprika, chilli, and oregano. According to Al Basha, shawarma has a tangy, garlicky flavour while kebabs are smokier and spicier.
Serving Style
Shawarma is typically wrapped in a thin flatbread with pickles, vegetables, and sauce. Kebabs in Australia are served in a thicker wrap, on a plate with chips or rice, or as an HSP.
Sauces
Shawarma pairs with tahini, hummus, or toum (garlic paste). Kebabs pair with garlic sauce, chilli sauce, and BBQ sauce.
Which Is Healthier: Shawarma or Kebab?
According to Food Champs, kebabs are generally lower in calories than shawarma because they use less fat in the marination. Both dishes are a better option than deep-fried fast food. For a lighter choice, order chicken over lamb and skip the cheese.
Try Both at Gully Slice & Grill
Gully Slice & Grill in Upper Ferntree Gully is one of the few shops in Melbourne’s east that serves both shawarma and kebabs. This gives you the chance to compare the two side by side.
The chicken shawarma wrap uses a traditional Middle Eastern spice blend with pickles, garlic sauce, and fresh vegetables. The doner kebab wrap uses a different seasoning profile with tabbouleh, onion, and your choice of sauces.
Both are made with halal-certified meat shaved fresh from the spit.
FAQs: Shawarma vs Kebab
Q. Is shawarma the same as kebab?
A. No. Shawarma and kebab are different dishes. They share a similar cooking method (vertical rotisserie) but use different spice blends and are served differently. Shawarma is a specific type of kebab preparation.
Q. What does shawarma taste like?
A. Shawarma has a warm, aromatic flavour from spices like cumin, cinnamon, and coriander. It tastes tangy and garlicky, especially with tahini or garlic sauce.
Q. What meats are used in shawarma?
A. Chicken and lamb are the most common. Beef and turkey are also used. At Gully Slice & Grill, chicken shawarma is the most popular order.
Q. Where to get shawarma in Ferntree Gully?
A. Gully Slice & Grill at Shop 5, Ferntree Plaza, 1202 Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully serves fresh chicken shawarma wraps and plates daily.
Q. Is doner kebab the same as shawarma?
A. Doner kebab is the closest kebab style to shawarma. Both use a vertical rotisserie. The difference is in the seasoning: shawarma uses Middle Eastern spices while doner uses a different blend, often with more oregano and paprika.
Q. Are shawarma and kebab at Gully Slice & Grill halal?
A. Yes. All meat at Gully Slice & Grill is halal certified.
Visit Us
Gully Slice & Grill Kebab House is located at Shop 5 Ferntree Plaza, 1202 Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156. Phone: (03) 9758 7688. Open for dine in, takeaway, and delivery.