Shawarma Day Your Way
October 15th is Shawarma Day—the perfect excuse to dive into one of the world’s most loved street foods! Juicy, marinated meats slow-roasted to perfection, shaved into thin slices, and stuffed into warm pita bread—what’s not to love? Shawarma’s bold flavors and endless ways to enjoy it have made it a global favorite, from the Middle East to cities like New York.
Let’s dig into some more juicy details behind this absolutely delicious middle eastern delight.
Celebrate Shawarma Day at NAYA!
Ready to celebrate Shawarma Day? Swing by NAYA on October 15th and build your ultimate shawarma roll or bowl. Our shawarma is slow-roasted, tender, and full of flavor.
Snap a pic of your shawarma creation and tag us on Instagram @eatnaya —we can’t wait to see your favorite combos!
Shawarma Fun Facts You’ll Love
1. A Tasty History:
Shawarma dates back over 200 years to the Ottoman Empire, where chefs mastered the art of cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie. The word "shawarma" actually comes from the Turkish word "çevirme," meaning "turning." Pretty cool, right?
2. Avengers-Approved:
Ever notice the shawarma feature in The Avengers? In the end credit scene the avengers are seen eating at Shawarma Palace. After the 2012 film premiered shawarma saw a major spike in popularity—turns out, it’s superhero-approved!
3. Stuffed Flatbread:
While Shawarma does not have its own dedicated emoji, the 🥙 Stuffed Flatbread emoji was introduced in 2016 as part of Unicode 9.0 and Emoji 3.0. It represents various types of stuffed flatbreads, including shawarma, doner kebabs, falafel, and gyros.
4. The World's Longest Shawarma
In July 2019, at Ribfest in London, Ontario, the world’s longest shawarma was created by Shelby's Legendary Shawarma. It measured an impressive 152 feet. It included 50 kg of chicken, 10 kg of pickles, 16 liters of garlic sauce, 10 kg of fries, and 150 saj breads. Now that’s a record-breaking wrap!
What Exactly is Shawarma?
Chicken shawarma being carved at the 2008 Naya fine dining concept. Find a Naya near you for delicious perfectly tender chicken or beef shawarma.
Shawarma is what street food dreams are made of. It’s all about meat—usually chicken thighs, lamb, or beef—that’s marinated in a mix of warm spices like cumin, garlic powder, and paprika. Then, it’s slow-cooked on a vertical rotisserie (spit) until perfectly tender. Once ready, thin slices are shaved off and stuffed into pita bread, piled into bowls, or wrapped up with fresh toppings.
All The Shawarma Essentials
The beauty of shawarma lies in its ingredients, each of which plays a key role in creating the perfect bite. Here are some shawarma basics
1. Marinated Meat: Beef cuts, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or lamb are marinated in a blend of lemon juice or yogurt, olive oil, and spices, creating that tender, juicy flavor everyone loves.
2. Sauce: tangy, creamy sauces made from yogurt, garlic, and/or lemon juice add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the meat.
3. Pita Bread: Soft and warm, pita is the vessel that holds classic shawarma together—perfect for rolls and dipping into sauces like toum (garlic whip).
4. Fresh Vegetables: Tomato slices, cucumbers, onions, and parsley add brightness and texture to every bite.
5. Tahini Sauce: This creamy, nutty sauce made from tahini (ground sesame seeds) is another staple, adding depth to the flavor profile.
6. Spices: The marinade, made with cumin, cardamom, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder, gives shawarma its bold, unforgettable taste.
Shawarma Around the World
Shawarma has become a global sensation, and here’s how different regions have put their own spin on this classic dish:
Lebanon: Traditional shawarma is served in thin pita wraps with toum (garlic whip), pickled vegetables, and sometimes fries.
Mexico: Lebanese immigrants in Mexico introduced the cooking style that evolved into tacos al pastor, a delicious fusion of shawarma-style pork, pineapple, and Mexican spices.
Turkey: Known as Doner Kebab, Turkish shawarma is served with yogurt sauce, grilled veggies, and pita or flatbread.
Greece: The gyro is Greece’s take, typically made with pork or chicken and served with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions, and fries tucked into pita.
Egypt: Shawarma is served with tahini sauce in Baladi bread, a thicker variation of pita.
Shawarma is truly a global favorite, from the bustling streets of Beirut to food trucks in New York City.
How NAYA Serves Shawarma
Shawarma is all about versatility, which means there’s no wrong way to enjoy it. Both of our shawarma options are marinated in olive oil, yogurt, and warm spices, then cooked until juicy and tender. This makes it easy to pair with our bases and our unlimited toppings.
@eatnaya this roll with some red sauce 🤌❤️
♬ there she goes - 🎸🪩
Different Ways to Enjoy NAYA's Shawarma
Whether you're looking for something hearty or light, shawarma fits into any meal. Here are three delicious ways to dig in into NAYA's chicken or beef shawarma:
Roll It
The classic way to enjoy shawarma—rolled up in pita bread. Soft white pita hugs the marinated meat, along with cucumbers, tomatoes, sumac onions, pickled turnips, garlic whip (toum), yogurt cucumber sauce, and lemon tahini. It’s portable, easy to eat, and packed with flavor. This is the perfect on-the-go meal when you're craving something fast but delicious.
Bowl It
If you’re craving a heartier meal, serve your shawarma in a bowl. Start with a base of vermicelli rice, or opt for fiber-full quinoa. Scoop in the chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, fresh vegetables, and drizzle with your favorite sauces,like our spicy red or green sauce. It’s a shawarma feast in a bowl, loaded with all your favorite flavors, and great for mixing and matching toppings.
Put It in a Salad
Looking for something lighter? Add shawarma to a fresh salad! Combine marinated meat with crunchy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sumac onions. Toss it all with lemon tahini, feta, and yogurt cucumber sauce for some extra protein. It’s the perfect balance of healthy and satisfying.
Feeling hungry yet? We thought so.
Shawarma: Delicious and Nutritious
Shawarma doesn’t just taste good—it’s packed with nutritional benefits too.
Protein Power: Chicken shawarma is loaded with protein to keep you fueled throughout the day. Add some fiber with a seasonal greens or quinoa base.
Healthy Fats: You’re getting a dose of healthy fats, while toppings like hummus and olive oil are heart-healthy choices.
Vitamin Boost: With toppings like fresh veggies, tomatoes, and greens, you’re loading up on vitamins like Vitamin C and K, keeping your meal balanced and nutrient-rich.
We're all for keeping nutrition front of mind so we made a nutritional chart/facts for anyone interested in a breakdown.
What’s Your Shawarma Personality?
Ever wonder what your shawarma order says about you? Let’s dive into your shawarma personality and see how your favorite toppings and combos stack up.
The Traditionalist: You like to keep it classic with a chicken shawarma roll loaded with toum (garlic whip), tomato, and sumac onions. You know what you like, and you’re all about balance—savory, fresh, and flavorful.
The Adventurer: You’re not afraid to spice things up! Your go-to is spicy hummus with your shawarma bowl, loaded with extra toppings like pickled turnips, Lebanese pickles, and spicy green sauce. You’re always experimenting and adding new flavors to the mix.
The Health Hunk: You prefer your shawarma light and fresh. A shawarma salad with cucumbers, sumac onions, and romaine lettuce. You love a healthy balance, and NAYA’s fresh toppings keep you feeling great.
The Flavor Fiend: You’re all about bold flavors. You pile on the lemon tahini sauce, yogurt cucumber, and maybe even add a side of baba ghannouj. You crave richness and love the full flavor profile that shawarma offers.
The Mix-and-Matcher: You like to switch things up every time. One day it’s a shawarma roll with grape leaves on the side, the next it’s a bowl with all the toppings. You’re all about variety and never stick to just one combo.
Which one are you? Try out a new combination next time and see how your shawarma personality evolves!
Make It a Shawarma Party: Catering with NAYA
Want to impress at your next gathering? Why not throw a shawarma party? NAYA’s catering options make it easy to bring bold flavors and fresh ingredients to your event. Shawarma is always a hit at any get-together or a large celebration.
What You Can Get:
Chicken Shawarma and Beef Shawarma: Let your guests customize their meals with our juicy, flavorful shawarma options. Pair it with a range of fresh sides like tabboule, yogurt cucumber, and malfouf for endless combinations.
Bowls, Rolls, and Platters: You can offer guests a choice between shawarma rolls, bowls, or deconstructed platters. Serve them with sides like hummus, spicy hummus, labne, or za'atar pita chips to keep things versatile and fun.
Sweet Finishes: Don’t end your meal without indulging in one of NAYA’s signature desserts. Enjoy the flaky sweetness of Pistachio Baklava, layered with phyllo and pistachios, or try our crispy Baklava Fingers filled with cashews and topped with syrup. For a fragrant, chewy finish, Namoura, made with semolina and syrup, is a must-try. Each dessert adds the perfect touch of sweetness to complete your meal!
Why NAYA Catering?
It’s all about customization. Guests can build their own plates with all the options they love, and it’s a great way to bring people together. Plus, with options for vegetarians (like falafel) and gluten-free choices, everyone’s taken care of!
Hosting a party? Let shawarma be the star, and make it a NAYA event everyone will remember.