Difference between Kebab & Kabob

Kebabs are tasty pieces of meat cooked on a skewer or spit over an open flame or other heat source. They are a popular snack in many countries, particularly in the Middle East, Arab nations, South and Central Asia, and parts of Europe. Westerners often call them kabobs, leading to confusion about whether kebab and kabob refer to the same dish. This uncertainty is compounded by the wide variety of grilled meat dishes available in restaurants in North America and the UK under the names kebabs and kabobs.

Key Takeaways

• Kebab and kabob refer to the same dish: meat grilled on a skewer or spit.
• The spelling “kabob” is primarily used by North Americans as they attempt to transliterate the Arabic sound for the dish, leading to two variations: kebabs and kabobs.
• Most countries use the spelling “kebab,” with Afghanistan being an exception, where the pronunciation is closer to “kabob.”

Many Indian and Pakistani restaurants in North America and the UK offer various recipes categorized as grilled non-vegetarian dishes. Kebabs dominate these menus, with items like Kakori kebabs, Boti Kebabs, Shammi kebab, Tangri kebab, Galauti kebab, and Chicken tikka, which can be confusing for customers. Some restaurants use the spelling “kabob” for the same recipes that others list as “kebab.” This inconsistency likely stems from Europeans transliterating the Arabic word for kebab. They spelled it “kebab” based on the sound used by Arabs, but some also used the spelling “kabob,” which has persisted.

Dictionaries define kabob as chunks of meat marinated with vegetables, threaded on a skewer, and grilled over a flame. However, the same definition is given for kebabs, adding to the confusion. Among all countries where kebabs are eaten, this spelling is most common, and only Afghanistan appears to use the pronunciation closer to “kabob.” Examples include chapli kabob, shammi kabob, and kabob e chopan.

In summary, the words kabob and kebab refer to the same dish: chunks of meat grilled on a skewer. The spelling “kabob” is mainly used by North Americans as they try to transliterate the Arabic sound for the dish. They attempt to convert the Arabic sound into English, resulting in two variations: kebabs and kabobs. Turkish shish kebab is called shish kabob by Americans, who prepare it by threading meatballs on a skewer along with vegetables and tomatoes and eating the cooked meat directly from the stick.