How to make shawarma easily in Abu Dhabi?

Shawarma is undoubtedly one of the most popular middle-eastern street food dishes well-known all over the world. It has a rich history stemming back to the 18th Century, when, it is said to have originated in the region that is now known as modern-day Turkey. The delicate process that goes into making shawarma is what makes it stand out from other popular middle-eastern foods.

Shawarma in arabic means “turning”, which refers to how the meat spins or turns as it cooks. The meat, often lamb or chicken, is sliced into thin layers, after which it is marinated with a special sauce. The marinade used depends on the region. The typical marinade would include vegetable oil, a variety of spices & herbs, and yogurt. Buttermilk can be substituted for yogurt. Condiments like fresh mint, thyme, black & white pepper, nutmeg, etc are often used in the marinade.

The meat is left to thoroughly soak up all the flavors & become tender. They are then stacked layer by layer on a vertical spinning grill. The meat has to be cooked for a long time. It’s the secret behind the taste & juicy texture that everyone loves. As the outer layers continue to cook, they are thinly carved off as the grill continues to cook. Oftentimes, the slow-grilling process goes on continuously throughout the day.

There are many different ways in which shawarma can be served; on a plate, as a sandwich, or as a wrap.

Shawarma, in most cuisines, will be considered incomplete without its own set of accompaniments no matter how it’s served.

Plate / Platter

A shawarma plate or platter is often served in a simple and open manner. Thinly sliced meat of your choice, sliced or chopped vegetables or a salad, pickles, french fries, and sauces accompanied by a flatbread often make up the usual shawarma platter.

It’s a great option to go for if you prefer building your own meal, or if you’re more conscious of the portions you eat.

Sandwich

Shawarma can be served as a sandwich is similar to a Greek gyro, however, the meat is more finely shredded, and the vegetables are finely chopped. Pickles are rarely served in the sandwich, if ever. Like the pickles, french fries are often served separately with an extra portion of sauces on the side. They are often presented in a loosely rolled, or folded flat; similar to a cold sandwich, but with arabic bread instead.

Wrap

Tightly wrapped and served ready to eat on the go, this is the more popularly known variant of the classic shawarma. In the middle east, a variety of different flatbreads are used as the base, from the usual arabic bread to Saj, and the softer samoon bread, each type of bread gives its own character to the dish. The tightly wrapped shawarma is a lot more flexible and allows for a wide range of flavors to be felt when you take a bite. The juicy tender flavors from the meat, the salty crunch of pickled cucumbers, and a tangy sauce binding them all together, no wonder this dish is a fan favorite.

In Abu Dhabi, most restaurants only serve the usual wrap, and at times, on a plate. However, if you’d like to indulge in some great-tasting shawarma, give Shawarma Station a try. Their menu features a lot of varieties of lamb and chicken shawarma in Abu Dhabi, in different ways, like on a platter, wrap, or even in bundles to share with friends and family.