East Africa · Street food
Kabaab Somali (Spiced Minced Meat Skewers)
Succulent minced beef skewers bound with herbs, garlic, and warm spices, charred over open coals and served with spicy bisbaas.
The story
Originating along the coastal trade hubs of Mogadishu, Kismayo, and the highland markets of Hargeisa, these street-side kebabs perfume the evening air after sunset. Vendors pound minced beef with fresh herbs, green chillies, and garlic on heavy wooden boards until sticky and emulsified before moulding onto skewers. While influenced by Ottoman and Arab merchants, the generous addition of green chillies and whole toasted cumin reflects uniquely Somali coastal palates.
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