What Is Adana Kebab? Turkey’s Grilled Kebab, Explained

Adana kebab in one sentence

Adana kebab is seasoned ground meat pressed by hand onto a wide, flat skewer and grilled over open flame, then served with flatbread, grilled tomato and pepper, onions and salad.

It takes its name from Adana, a city in southern Turkey known for its kebab culture. The wide, flat skewer is the giveaway: it keeps the meat from spinning when you turn it and gives the long kebab its shape.

What makes it different from other kebabs

Adana vs. shish kebab

Shish is cubes of marinated meat on a skewer. Adana is ground meat shaped around the skewer, so it is juicier and more seasoned all the way through.

Adana vs. kofte

Kofte is also seasoned ground meat, but shaped into small patties or meatballs. Adana is one long kebab, cooked on the skewer.

Adana vs. doner (gyro)

Doner is meat stacked on a vertical rotisserie and sliced thin. Adana goes straight onto the grill, to order.

Adana vs. Urfa kebab

Urfa kebab is Adana’s cousin from the city of Urfa. Traditionally, Adana is the one with the red-pepper warmth and Urfa is the milder one.

Is Adana kebab spicy?

Traditionally it has a gentle, warming heat from red pepper rather than a sharp burn. Most people who enjoy a little black pepper are fine with it. If you are sensitive to heat, ask us when you order and we will tell you what to expect.

How to eat it

Tear off a piece of bread, add a bit of kebab, a slice of grilled tomato, some onion and parsley, and fold it together. With a plate, eat it with rice and salad. If you are in a hurry, the wrap version puts all of it in lavash for you.

Our Adana: the founder’s blend

Ottoman Kitchen’s founder built companies in Turkey. When important guests came, he did not book a restaurant. He cooked, and the Adana was his dish, down to the blend he worked out with his butcher. In 2015 he opened our kitchen in Chantilly.

The Adana on our menu today is still his blend of seasoned ground lamb and beef, pressed onto the skewer by hand and grilled over open flame to order. Like everything we serve, it is 100% halal.

How to order Adana at Ottoman Kitchen

Adana Kebab w/ Rice

The full plate, and the best way to try it the first time.

Adana Kebab Wrap

Everything rolled in lavash, easy to eat on a lunch break.

Adana Chicken Mix

One skewer of Adana plus grilled chicken, if you cannot decide.

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