شاورما (shawarma) is a popular Middle Eastern dish that originated in the Levant region of the Arab world during the Ottoman Empire
. It consists of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in an inverted cone, and roasted on a slowly turning vertical rotisserie or spit
. Traditionally made with lamb or mutton, it may also be made with chicken, beef, or veal
. The meat is marinated with various seasonings and spices such as cumin, turmeric, and paprika
. Shawarma is a popular street food throughout the Arab world and the Greater Middle East
. Shawarma is typically served in the form of a wrap, though in some countries, it is served on plates with sides such as seasoned rice or fries, and salads
. In Israel, most shawarma is made with dark-meat turkey, commonly served with tahina sauce instead of yogurt for kashrut reasons
. It is often garnished with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, pickled vegetables, hummus, tahina sauce, sumac, or amba mango sauce
. Some restaurants offer additional toppings, including grilled peppers, eggplant, or french fries
. In Armenia and Georgia, shawarma is traditionally made with thin cuts of marinated meat, which is left to marinate in a mixture of cumin, cardamom, paprika, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil
