Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Kebabs are the most well-traveled food in human history, and they're hiding inside dishes you already eat every day.
Tacos al pastor, gyros, döner kebab, seekh kebab, chuan. These aren't separate food traditions. They're all descendants of the same ancient idea: meat, fire, stick. In this episode I'm tracing the full journey of the kebab from Minoan excavations in ancient Crete, through Persian and Ottoman empires, into Mughal India, across Europe, and all the way to a taco truck in Mexico City.
The kebab didn't spread because one empire forced it on the world. It spread because the idea was perfect. Small pieces of meat, less cooking time. Every culture it touched kept it, renamed it, and made it their own.
Today we're making 2 versions. And yes, we munch them both.
Koobideh Kebab Recipe here: adamwitt.co/allrecipes/koobidehkebab
👕SUPPORT THE CHAN, COP SOME MERCH!: https://adamwitt.store/
🫶CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROCERY FUND! (Patreon): patreon.com/adamwitt
👾DISCORD: discord.com/invite/aFQ4h4BXg4
📝MORE RECIPES: adamwitt.co/allrecipes
🔗FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL: adamwitt.co/social-links
________________________________________________________
STUFF I USE…
Legit Kebab Skewers: amzn.to/3Rr7vDt
My Cookware Set: amzn.to/3vaWhbG
My Dutch Oven: amzn.to/48MKuhq
Portable Single-burner Stove: amzn.to/3IytyjV
Butane Torch: amzn.to/48TkQra
Deli Containers: amzn.to/49QO635
Large Mason Jars (32oz, wide mouth): amzn.to/49QO635
Rust-proof Mason Jar Lids: amzn.to/49QWlfy
Butane Canisters: amzn.to/3wLUtpM
Coarse Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3PePLHK
Fine Mesh Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3TxvkYP
Sheet Trays: amzn.to/3IG3zXL
The BEST Smash Burger Spatula: amzn.to/3UdSHab
Cutting Board Scraper: amzn.to/3Jy64fx
Ice Cream Maker: amzn.to/3wd2vIu
My Induction Burner: amzn.to/4dfhJNE
________________________________________________________
TIMESTAMPS…
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Sticks & Stones: the first era of kebabs
04:03 - New Empire Who Dis? The Persian and Ottoman Upgrade
07:56 - Spice Spice Baby: Into India and Beyond
10:11 - The Great Meat Migration: Into Europe
12:58 - Shis Just Got Real: The Global Mutation
16:04 - The real difference: comparison and taste test
18:17 - Outro
________________________________________________________
#kebab #foodhistory #tacosalpastor
Disclaimer: I earn commission income with qualifying purchases made through Amazon’s Affiliate program and other affiliate links in this description.
Kebabs are the most well-traveled food in human history, and they're hiding inside dishes you already eat every day.
Tacos al pastor, gyros, döner kebab, seekh kebab, chuan. These aren't separate food traditions. They're all descendants of the same ancient idea: meat, fire, stick. In this episode I'm tracing the full journey of the kebab from Minoan excavations in ancient Crete, through Persian and Ottoman empires, into Mughal India, across Europe, and all the way to a taco truck in Mexico City.
The kebab didn't spread because one empire forced it on the world. It spread because the idea was perfect. Small pieces of meat, less cooking time. Every culture it touched kept it, renamed it, and made it their own.
Today we're making 2 versions. And yes, we munch them both.
Koobideh Kebab Recipe here: adamwitt.co/allrecipes/koobidehkebab
👕SUPPORT THE CHAN, COP SOME MERCH!: https://adamwitt.store/
🫶CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROCERY FUND! (Patreon): patreon.com/adamwitt
👾DISCORD: discord.com/invite/aFQ4h4BXg4
📝MORE RECIPES: adamwitt.co/allrecipes
🔗FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL: adamwitt.co/social-links
________________________________________________________
STUFF I USE…
Legit Kebab Skewers: amzn.to/3Rr7vDt
My Cookware Set: amzn.to/3vaWhbG
My Dutch Oven: amzn.to/48MKuhq
Portable Single-burner Stove: amzn.to/3IytyjV
Butane Torch: amzn.to/48TkQra
Deli Containers: amzn.to/49QO635
Large Mason Jars (32oz, wide mouth): amzn.to/49QO635
Rust-proof Mason Jar Lids: amzn.to/49QWlfy
Butane Canisters: amzn.to/3wLUtpM
Coarse Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3PePLHK
Fine Mesh Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3TxvkYP
Sheet Trays: amzn.to/3IG3zXL
The BEST Smash Burger Spatula: amzn.to/3UdSHab
Cutting Board Scraper: amzn.to/3Jy64fx
Ice Cream Maker: amzn.to/3wd2vIu
My Induction Burner: amzn.to/4dfhJNE
________________________________________________________
TIMESTAMPS…
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Sticks & Stones: the first era of kebabs
04:03 - New Empire Who Dis? The Persian and Ottoman Upgrade
07:56 - Spice Spice Baby: Into India and Beyond
10:11 - The Great Meat Migration: Into Europe
12:58 - Shis Just Got Real: The Global Mutation
16:04 - The real difference: comparison and taste test
18:17 - Outro
________________________________________________________
#kebab #foodhistory #tacosalpastor
Disclaimer: I earn commission income with qualifying purchases made through Amazon’s Affiliate program and other affiliate links in this description.
