What is Shawarma?
A guide to flavours, history, and how shawarma stacks up against gyros and doner kebabs — from the team at Big Bites Shawarma in Oshawa.
The Origins of Shawarma
Shawarma traces its roots to the Levant — modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan — in the 19th century. Inspired by the Ottoman-era technique of cooking meat on a vertical rotating spit, shawarma became a staple of Middle Eastern street food, with each region adding its own twist on spices, marinades, and toppings.
How Shawarma is Made
Thin slices of marinated chicken, beef, or lamb are stacked onto a tall vertical spit, then slow-roasted as the meat rotates beside a flame. Outer layers crisp and caramelize, then get shaved off in tender ribbons and tucked into a pita or laffa wrap — or piled onto a plate with rice, salads, and sauces.
Shawarma vs Gyro vs Doner Kebab
All three are vertical-spit cousins — but the spices and trimmings set them apart.
| Dish | Origin | Spices | Classic Sauce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawarma | Levant (Middle East) | Cumin, coriander, cardamom, turmeric | Garlic toum, tahini |
| Gyro | Greece | Oregano, thyme, rosemary | Tzatziki (yogurt + cucumber) |
| Doner Kebab | Turkey | Paprika, sumac, black pepper | Yogurt or chili sauce |
Popular Toppings & Sauces
- Garlic Toum: The fluffy, intensely garlicky white sauce that defines a real shawarma.
- Pickled Turnips: Bright pink, tangy, and the perfect contrast to rich meat.
- Tabbouleh & Hummus: Fresh parsley salad and creamy chickpea dip.
- Hot Sauce: A spoonful of Aleppo or zhug brings the heat.
Where to Try Authentic Shawarma in Oshawa
At Big Bites Shawarma, we hand-stack our spits every morning, marinate our chicken and beef overnight in traditional Middle Eastern spices, and whip our toum fresh in-house. Stop by 500 Rossland Rd W, Unit 3, Oshawa — or order delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, or SkipTheDishes.