Ah, kebabs. You love them, we love them, but let’s face it—sometimes even the shops in Singapore don’t know if they’re serving doner kebabs, shawarma, or gyros. Honestly, who can blame them? The lines are a little blurry, and by the time you take your first bite, do you really care? Well, maybe. So, let’s clear things up for you once and for all – with a dose of Singaporean humor, of course.
The Kebabs Confusion: Doner, Shawarma, Gyros – Same Same, But Different
You walk into a kebab shop in Singapore, and you see “ kebab” on the menu. But wait – the guy behind you just ordered a shawarma. The person next to you is raving about gyros. You think, “Eh, aren’t these all the same thing?” Well, yes and no. While these dishes might look similar (and they’re all delicious, don’t worry), they actually have some pretty clear differences
Doner Kebab – The OG
Let’s start with the doner kebab (usually just called ‘kebab’ in Singapore) – the original gangster of the kebab world. Hailing from Turkey, the marinade is usually mild. As it cooks, the meat is shaved off and served in pita bread, with fresh veggies and sauces. In Singapore, you’ll see plenty of shops offering “authentic Turkish kebabs,” but hey, sometimes what you get doesn’t look too different from shawarma or gyros – what gives? These kebabs are served usually in a flour wrap or pita or just the meat itself with fries or a gravy base. The rolls are usually ‘fatter’ rather than ‘long-ish’ like Shawarmas.
Shawarma – The Middle Eastern Cousin
Now, shawarma is basically the Middle Eastern cousin of the doner kebab. The method is similar – marinated meat on a vertical spit, shaved off and served. But the flavor? That’s where things change. The traditional Shawarma typically has a more intense, spiced flavor, thanks to its blend of seasonings like turmeric, cinnamon, and cloves. It’s typically paired with flatbreads like lavash and garnished with pickles, hummus, and a whole load of garlic sauce. Shawarmas are usually rolled ‘long’ rather than fat.
Gyros – The Greek God of Kebabs
Enter the gyros – Greece’s answer to the doner kebab. Like its Turkish and Middle Eastern counterparts, gyros meat is roasted on a vertical spit, but the flavor profile is a bit different. It’s usually pork (though chicken and beef are also common) and comes with a heap of tzatziki sauce (you know, that creamy yogurt-cucumber goodness). You’ll often find gyros wrapped in thick pita-like bread sometimes almost like a taco with fries stuffed inside (yes, carbs on carbs – it’s glorious).
Singapore Kebab Shops: Are You Confused Too?
Let’s be real – when it comes to kebabs in Singapore, some shops are as confused as we are. Walk into any “kebab shop in Singapore,” and you might see all three on the menu: kebab, shawarma, gyros. But what you actually get? That’s a bit of a gamble. Some places serve up kebabs but label them as shawarma. Others offer a mishmash of everything and just hope you enjoy the meat, bread, and sauces, regardless of what it’s called. Bottom line, its just grilled meat on a vertical spit
But hey, whether it’s kebab, shawarma, or gyros, kebabs are the ultimate comfort food – packed with flavor, easy to grab on the go, and guaranteed to hit the spot.
The EPIKebabs Solution: Kebab? Shawarma? Middle Eastern? Turkish? Nah. We’re Just EPIK!
At EPIKebabs, we don’t get bogged down by labels. Whether it’s doner, shawarma, or gyros, we’re all about serving up the best kebabs in Singapore with a local twist. Our kebabs are stacked with juicy, marinated meats, fresh veggies, and sauces that’ll make you want to come back for more.
Why We’re Different: We don’t just do “authentic” – we do EPIK. Our kebabs are Singaporean at heart, with flavors that suit our local tastes, without getting caught up in the kebab vs. shawarma debate. Hungry yet?
What We Offer: We’ve got the classic kebab roll and sandwiches, and even our signature Indomeeat (kebabs + Indomie noodles – you’re welcome) as well as seasonal locally inspired stuff like the Kebab John (roti john with kebab meat). And don’t forget our Kebab Party Platter – perfect for sharing, or not. We won’t judge. ORDER ONLINE HERE!
