What is doner vs shawarma?

Doner and shawarma are both popular street foods involving meat cooked on a vertical rotating spit, but they have distinct origins and characteristics. Here's a breakdown:

• Origin and Name: <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Doner%20Kebab">Doner Kebab</a> originates from Turkey, with "döner" meaning "rotating" in Turkish. <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Shawarma">Shawarma</a> comes from the Arabic word for "turning."

• Meat: While both can use lamb, beef, chicken, or veal, there are preferences. Doner often uses a combination of ground meat and sliced meat pressed together, while shawarma typically uses thinly sliced marinated meat stacked on the spit.

• Marination: <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Shawarma%20Marinade">Shawarma marinade</a> recipes generally incorporate a greater variety of spices and flavors, often including Middle Eastern spices like cumin, turmeric, cardamom, and cinnamon. Doner marinades are usually simpler.

• Bread and Fillings: <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Doner%20Bread">Doner</a> is typically served in pita bread or a wrap, often with lettuce, tomato, onion, and various sauces. <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Shawarma%20Fillings">Shawarma</a> is commonly served in pita bread or laffa bread, with toppings like tahini, hummus, pickled vegetables, and amba (pickled mango sauce).

• Regional Variations: Both doner and shawarma have countless regional variations, reflecting local tastes and ingredient availability. What you eat in one city might differ significantly from what you eat in another.