What meat is Israeli shawarma?

Israeli shawarma can be turkey, veal or young beef, lamb, chicken thigh, or a shop-defined mix. Read the menu label or ask איזה בשר זה?

Standard sabich contains hard-boiled egg along with fried eggplant. Order בלי ביצה if you want sabich without egg.

What is in Jerusalem mixed grill?

מעורב ירושלמי combines chopped poultry and internal parts with onion and spices on a flat-top. Hearts and spleen recur, while the poultry and liver vary by shop.

What does הכול mean at a shawarma counter?

הכול means all ordinary toppings available in that counter exchange. הכול does not promise one fixed topping list or every optional extra.

Is חצי מנה exactly half a full shawarma?

חצי מנה is the shop's smaller portion, commonly served in half a pita. No national weight defines חצי מנה, so ask זה בחצי פיתה? to confirm the format.

Israeli Street Food Guide: Hebrew Counter Words

Dishes and Meat Choices

A shawarma spit with meat being sliced, shawarma

On the label or sign

שיפוד: spit
סיח: colloquial word for spit

שווארמהShawarma

shawarma

US English

shawarma

UK English

shawarma

What it is

Shawarma is seasoned meat stacked on a vertical spit. The outside cooks and is shaved into thin slices.

The difference

Shawarma is the normal English name in both the US and UK. Israeli shops may offer turkey, veal or young beef, lamb, chicken thigh, or a mix.

Common mistake

Do not ask for kebab when you want shawarma, because קבב is a separate minced-meat item.

On the label or sign

הודו: turkey
הודו נקבה: female turkey

שווארמה הודו / הודו נקבהTurkey shawarma

shawarma hodu / hodu nekeva

US English

turkey shawarma

UK English

turkey shawarma

What it is

שווארמה הודו is usually turkey thigh. הודו נקבה is a trade description for female turkey meat.

The difference

In a food order, הודו means turkey rather than India.

Common mistake

Read the full menu label instead of translating הודו as India.

On the label or sign

עגל: veal or young beef
עגל־כבש: veal or young beef with lamb

שווארמה עגלVeal or young-beef shawarma

shawarma egel

US English

veal or young-beef shawarma

UK English

veal or young-beef shawarma

What it is

שווארמה עגל is bovine shawarma. Some shops pair עגל with lamb fat or label a combination עגל־כבש.

The difference

English menus may translate עגל as veal. The shop label identifies the meat more reliably than the color of the spit.

Common mistake

Do not assume every brown spit is lamb; ask זה עגל?

On the label or sign

כבש: lamb

שווארמה כבשLamb shawarma

shawarma keves

US English

lamb shawarma

UK English

lamb shawarma

What it is

שווארמה כבש is shawarma sold as lamb. Shops may list lamb and mixed shawarma separately.

The difference

The menu name does not establish the exact cut or whether the stack includes another meat or fat.

Common mistake

Do not treat כבש and עגל as interchangeable; ask זה רק כבש? if you want lamb only.

On the label or sign

פרגית: boneless chicken thigh

שווארמה פרגיתChicken-thigh shawarma

shawarma pargit

US English

chicken-thigh shawarma

UK English

chicken-thigh shawarma

What it is

In Israeli butchery, פרגית normally means boneless, skinless chicken thigh.

The difference

פרגית does not normally mean poussin, baby chicken, or chicken breast in this counter context.

Common mistake

Order פרגית when you want chicken thigh rather than chicken breast.

On the label or sign

מיקס: mix
מיקס של מה?: A mix of what?

שווארמה מיקס / מיקסMixed shawarma

shawarma miks / miks

US English

mixed shawarma

UK English

mixed shawarma

What it is

שווארמה מיקס is a mixture defined by the shop. A shop may shave two spits into one order or use a stack that is already mixed.

The difference

Mixed shawarma has no universal meat combination. Current menus include mixes such as turkey with veal and lamb.

Common mistake

Ask מיקס של מה? instead of assuming which meats are in the mix.

On the label or sign

סביח: sabich
בלי ביצה: without egg

סביחSabich

sabich

US English

sabich; eggplant-and-egg pita

UK English

sabich; aubergine-and-egg pitta

What it is

Sabich is a pita built around fried eggplant and hard-boiled egg. Common additions include tahini, amba, potato, chopped salad, hummus, parsley, onion, and hot sauce.

The difference

Sabich comes from an Iraqi-Jewish Sabbath breakfast assembled as Israeli street food. The name is traced to Sabich Halabi rather than a later folk acronym.

Common mistake

Do not assume sabich is vegan, because the standard core includes egg unless you order בלי ביצה.

A Jerusalem mixed grill on a griddle, meorav yerushalmi

On the label or sign

מעורב: mixed grill
לבבות: hearts
טחול: spleen

מעורב ירושלמיJerusalem mixed grill

me'orav yerushalmi

US English

Jerusalem mixed grill

UK English

Jerusalem mixed grill

What it is

מעורב ירושלמי is chopped poultry and internal parts seared with onion and spices on a flat-top. Hearts and spleen recur, while the poultry and liver vary by shop.

The difference

Jerusalem mixed grill is not an assorted Western grill platter. Different Jerusalem restaurants publish different formulas.

Common mistake

Do not assume מעורב ירושלמי contains no offal; check the shop's listed mixture.

On the label or sign

קבב: minced-meat kebab

קבבMinced-meat kebab

kebab

US English

grilled minced-meat kebab or kofta

UK English

grilled minced-meat kebab or kofta

What it is

קבב is a grilled minced-meat item. The meat and seasoning vary by shop.

The difference

Israeli menus list קבב and שווארמה as separate dishes. קבב is usually a patty or molded skewer rather than meat shaved from a vertical spit.

Common mistake

In UK usage, asking for a kebab can miss the intended shawarma order.

Portions and Serving Formats

On the label or sign

מנה: full portion or one order
בפיתה או בצלחת?: In pita or on a plate?

מנהFull portion

mana

US English

full portion; one order

UK English

full portion; one serving

What it is

מנה is the ordinary full serving on a pita-shop menu. The term is often contrasted with חצי מנה.

The difference

מנה does not specify pita, laffa, baguette, or plate. מנה also has no national gram weight.

Common mistake

Ask בפיתה או בצלחת? instead of assuming which serving format מנה includes.

On the label or sign

חצי מנה: half portion
חצי פיתה: half pita
זה בחצי פיתה?: Is that in half a pita?

חצי מנהHalf portion

chatzi mana

US English

half portion

UK English

half portion

What it is

חצי מנה is a smaller menu size, commonly served in half a pita. The shop defines the meat and topping quantity.

The difference

Half portion is a menu name rather than a nationwide measure. Some menus call the physical format חצי פיתה.

Common mistake

Ask זה בחצי פיתה? instead of expecting exactly half the full order by weight.

A shawarma pita being held, shawarma be-pita

On the label or sign

בפיתה: in pita

פיתהPita pocket

pita

US English

pita; pita pocket

UK English

pitta; pitta bread

What it is

פיתה is a round pocket bread that is opened and filled. Pita is the North American spelling, while pitta is the British spelling.

The difference

Pita is a pocket rather than a flatbread rolled around the filling.

Common mistake

Do not call פיתה a wrap, because לאפה is the rolled flatbread format.

On the label or sign

בלאפה: in laffa
אשתנור: Jerusalem term for the large flatbread format

לאפה; אשתנורLaffa wrap

laffa; eshtanur

US English

laffa; large flatbread wrap

UK English

laffa; large flatbread wrap

What it is

לאפה is a large flatbread laid flat and rolled around the filling. אשתנור is a Jerusalem name for the same large laffa-like format.

The difference

Laffa has no pita pocket. A filled laffa forms a large rolled cylinder.

Common mistake

Do not treat לאפה as a large pita or translate לאפה as a Mexican tortilla.

On the label or sign

בבאגט: in a baguette
בגט: baguette

בגטBaguette sandwich

baget

US English

baguette sandwich

UK English

baguette sandwich

What it is

בגט is a split baguette filled with shawarma or another grilled filling. Current menus list baguette as a separate bread choice.

The difference

A baguette order uses a long crusty loaf rather than a pita pocket or rolled laffa.

Common mistake

Do not assume every counter offers בגט or gives בגט the same filling quantity as לאפה.

On the label or sign

שווארמה בצלחת: shawarma on a plate

בצלחת / צלחתOn a plate

be-tzalachat / tzalachat

US English

on a plate; platter

UK English

on a plate; platter

What it is

בצלחת means the filling is served on an open plate instead of packed inside bread. Selected salads, sides, or pita may come with the plate, depending on the shop.

The difference

A plate order does not always mean meat alone. The listed accompaniments define the order.

Common mistake

Check the menu's listed sides before ordering שווארמה בצלחת.

On the label or sign

שווארמה נטו בחמגשית: meat-focused shawarma order in a takeaway tray

חמגשיתTakeaway tray

chamgasheet

US English

takeaway tray; compartment tray

UK English

takeaway tray; foil or plastic meal tray

What it is

חמגשית is a tray-format meal served in a rectangular disposable container. The tray may be compartmented or have a lid.

The difference

חמגשית names the container and serving format rather than a specific dish.

Common mistake

Read the menu line to learn which main, sides, salads, or bread come in the חמגשית.

On the label or sign

עסקיות: combo meals or set lunches

עסקיתCombo meal

iskit

US English

combo meal; set lunch

UK English

meal deal; set lunch

What it is

עסקית is a bundled meal with inclusions listed by the shop. A bundle may pair a main with a drink and fries.

The difference

עסקית describes a meal bundle rather than business-class quality.

Common mistake

Read the עסקית listing instead of assuming every side is included.

On the label or sign

נטו: net or plain
רק בשר?: Only meat?

נטוMeat only

neto

US English

meat only; plain filling

UK English

meat only; plain filling

What it is

On shawarma menus, נטו often marks a meat-focused order without the usual sandwich build. Exact inclusions depend on the shop.

The difference

נטו does not guarantee a particular weight.

Common mistake

Ask רק בשר? to confirm that נטו means only meat at that counter.

Toppings and Sauces

On the label or sign

מה לשים?: What should I put in?
הכול: everything offered here
הכל מהכל: a bit of everything

הכול; הכלEverything

ha-kol

US English

everything

UK English

everything

What it is

At a counter, הכול means all ordinary toppings available in that exchange. הכל is a common informal spelling, while הכול is the standard full spelling.

The difference

הכול is not a fixed national recipe. הכל מהכל is a stronger colloquial way to ask for a bit of everything, but the available set still belongs to the shop.

Common mistake

Name any exclusions before saying הכול, especially בלי חריף or בלי עמבה.

On the label or sign

חומוס: hummus

חומוסHummus

hummus

US English

hummus

UK English

hummus

What it is

חומוס is a chickpea spread used as a base layer inside the bread.

The difference

Counters list חומוס and טחינה separately, so the two words do not name the same sauce.

Common mistake

Name חומוס and טחינה separately when you want both.

On the label or sign

טחינה: tahini sauce

טחינהTahini sauce

tahini

US English

tahini sauce

UK English

tahini sauce

What it is

טחינה is sesame paste prepared as a pourable counter sauce. The shop controls the final seasoning and dilution.

The difference

Tahini sauce is based on sesame rather than dairy or mayonnaise.

Common mistake

Do not assume טחינה is another name for חומוס.

On the label or sign

עמבה: amba
קצת עמבה: a little amba
עמבה בצד: amba on the side

עמבהAmba sauce

amba

US English

amba; fenugreek-mango pickle sauce

UK English

amba; fenugreek-mango pickle sauce

What it is

עמבה is a pungent yellow condiment associated with pickled green mango and fenugreek. Current food-service versions show that recipes can vary, including a fenugreek-based version without fruit.

The difference

Amba is not simply a sweet mango chutney, and the name does not guarantee that every recipe contains mango.

Common mistake

Say קצת עמבה for a little amba, בלי עמבה for none, or עמבה בצד for amba on the side.

On the label or sign

איזה חריף?: Which hot sauce?
בלי חריף: without hot sauce
קצת חריף: a little hot sauce

חריףHot sauce or pepper

charif

US English

hot sauce or hot pepper

UK English

chilli sauce or hot pepper

What it is

חריף literally means hot or spicy. At a counter, חריף is a category request rather than one recipe.

The difference

A shop may offer סחוג, crushed zhug, or another pepper preparation as חריף.

Common mistake

Say בלי חריף before the sauce is added when you want no hot sauce.

On the label or sign

סחוג: zhug

סחוגZhug

schug / zhug

US English

zhug; green or red chilli-herb sauce

UK English

zhug; green or red chilli-herb sauce

What it is

סחוג is one common form of חריף. Shops may offer green or red versions and more than one grind.

The difference

Not every חריף is סחוג. Other pepper sauces may sit at the same counter.

Common mistake

Ask איזה חריף? when several hot sauces appear.

Small bowls of salads and toppings, salatim

On the label or sign

סלט ירקות: vegetable salad

סלט; סלט ירקותChopped vegetable salad

salat; salat yerakot

US English

chopped tomato-cucumber salad

UK English

chopped tomato-cucumber salad

What it is

At a street food counter, סלט usually means a chopped vegetable topping. Current menus list סלט ירקות among sandwich additions.

The difference

סלט at the counter does not necessarily mean a separate bowl or a salad made with lettuce leaves.

Common mistake

Ask whether סלט comes inside the sandwich if you want a separate salad.

On the label or sign

כרוב: cabbage

כרובCabbage salad

kruv

US English

cabbage salad or slaw

UK English

cabbage salad or slaw

What it is

כרוב is a white or red cabbage preparation. Shops may prepare different cabbage recipes, including a version with mayonnaise.

The difference

כרוב names the cabbage rather than one standard slaw recipe.

Common mistake

Ask about the shop's recipe when mayonnaise or other ingredients matter.

On the label or sign

חמוצים: pickles

חמוציםPickled vegetables

chamutzim

US English

pickles or mixed pickled vegetables

UK English

pickles or mixed pickled vegetables

What it is

חמוצים is a collective label for pickled vegetables. Menus may separate cucumber pickle, pickled carrot, and טורשי.

The difference

חמוצים can mean a mixed pickle set rather than only dill pickles.

Common mistake

Look at the counter selection instead of assuming חמוצים means cucumber pickles only.

On the label or sign

בצל בסומאק: onion with sumac

בצל בסומאקSumac onion

batzal be-sumak

US English

sumac onion

UK English

sumac onion

What it is

בצל בסומאק is sliced onion seasoned with sumac. The onion often looks pink or purple with red-purple seasoning.

The difference

The color comes from the sumac seasoning and does not by itself identify a hot pepper topping.

Common mistake

Ask about the seasoning instead of rejecting בצל בסומאק only because the color looks hot.

On the label or sign

פטרוזיליה: parsley

פטרוזיליהParsley

petrozilia

US English

parsley

UK English

parsley

What it is

פטרוזיליה is chopped parsley offered as a fresh topping on current menus.

The difference

Chopped parsley can sit beside green hot sauce but is a separate topping.

Common mistake

Do not confuse פטרוזיליה with green סחוג.

On the label or sign

חציל: eggplant or aubergine
חצילים מטוגנים: fried eggplant

חציל; חצילים מטוגניםFried eggplant

chatzil; chatzilim metuganim

US English

eggplant; fried eggplant

UK English

aubergine; fried aubergine

What it is

חציל means eggplant. Fried eggplant is central to sabich and can also appear as an optional counter topping.

The difference

Eggplant is a defining part of sabich rather than a minor garnish.

Common mistake

Removing both egg and eggplant from sabich leaves a substantially different sandwich.

On the label or sign

צ'יפס: French fries or chips

צ'יפסFrench fries

chips

US English

French fries

UK English

chips

What it is

צ'יפס means fried potato. Fries may come as a side, inside the sandwich, or as part of a meal deal, depending on the menu.

The difference

At an Israeli street food counter, צ'יפס normally means fries in US English and chips in UK English.

Common mistake

US readers should not translate צ'יפס as potato chips or crisps.

On the label or sign

שיפקה: pickled hot pepper

שיפקהPickled hot pepper

shifka

US English

pickled hot pepper

UK English

pickled hot pepper

What it is

שיפקה is a whole pickled pepper offered among counter additions. The pepper is often small and yellow-green.

The difference

שיפקה is a pepper rather than a mild cucumber pickle. Heat varies by pepper and preparation.

Common mistake

Do not assume שיפקה is mild because שיפקה sits with the pickles.

On the label or sign

טורשי: mixed pickled vegetables

טורשיMixed pickled vegetables

turshi

US English

mixed pickled vegetables

UK English

mixed pickled vegetables

What it is

טורשי is a named mixed-pickle preparation. A current menu lists טורשי separately from cucumber pickle.

The difference

טורשי describes mixed vegetables rather than one specific vegetable.

Common mistake

Look at the shop's טורשי instead of expecting one fixed vegetable mix.

You want	Say or look for	Keep in mind
Shawarma in pita	שווארמה בפיתהshawarma be-pita	A full pita pocket unless the menu says otherwise.
A smaller portion	חצי מנהchatzi mana	Ask זה בחצי פיתה? to check the bread format.
A laffa wrap	בלאפהbe-laffa	Jerusalem menus may use אשתנור.
On a plate	בצלחתbe-tzalachat	Check which sides come with the plate.
All ordinary toppings	הכולha-kol	The available topping set varies by shop.
Without hot sauce	בלי חריףbli charif	Say the exclusion before the sauce is added.
A little amba	קצת עמבהktzat amba	The amount remains the server's judgment.
Lots of tahini	הרבה טחינהharbeh tahini	Ask before the sandwich is closed.
Pickles on the side	חמוצים בצדchamutzim ba-tzad	Name the item before saying בצד.
Ask what the mix contains	מיקס של מה?miks shel ma?	Mixed shawarma has no universal formula.

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Dishes and Meat Choices

שווארמהShawarma

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

שווארמה הודו / הודו נקבהTurkey shawarma

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

שווארמה עגלVeal or young-beef shawarma

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

שווארמה כבשLamb shawarma

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

שווארמה פרגיתChicken-thigh shawarma

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

שווארמה מיקס / מיקסMixed shawarma

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סביחSabich

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מעורב ירושלמיJerusalem mixed grill

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קבבMinced-meat kebab

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Portions and Serving Formats

מנהFull portion

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חצי מנהHalf portion

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פיתהPita pocket

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

לאפה; אשתנורLaffa wrap

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בגטBaguette sandwich

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בצלחת / צלחתOn a plate

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חמגשיתTakeaway tray

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

עסקיתCombo meal

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נטוMeat only

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Toppings and Sauces

הכול; הכלEverything

What it is

The difference

Common mistake