Shawarmas get a fresh twist in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Shawarma is an anytime, anywhere snack for most of us. It is tasty, affordable and you don’t have to wait long to be served. But drop in at Shawarma Time and see how this Arabian snack has been revived into a sit-down meal which you can enjoy with the family.

Whether you are in the mood for a few quick bites or an elaborate meal, this distinctly chic and casual restaurant located on Najda Street in Abu Dhabi will definitely change your perception about this Arabic treat. Well, it has for me.

For instance, the Shawarma Baked (Dh20) is made of a huge baked potato topped with hummous, green peas, chopped onions, olives, corn and a choice of chicken/beef or fish shawarma. It is a delightful and filling meal. It’s big in size and healthy at the same time. The cheese drizzles out in twirls as you dig into the baked potato, and it’s very yummy.

Another favourite for me was the Shawarma Time Snacks (Dh20). This Brazil-influenced snack is prepared with potato dough and stuffed with your choice of shawarma ingredients. It’s a healthy choice as the dish is very low on oil or fats. The dough was layered with cheese and minced chicken and it tasted great when dipped in tomato ketchup. There are umpteen choices on the menu, but if you’re in the mood for healthy stuff, you could always order a shawarma salad (Dh25). However, there’s a great option for foodies with a huge appetite — the Shawarma Wok (Dh35). This unique flavoured jasmine rice dish comes with spring and red onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, bean sprout and peanuts. Top this with some fish, and you are in for a gastronomic treat.

The traditional shawarma also gets a new look as it is prepared in a thick, square-shaped flat bread instead of the usual round and rolled variety. It’s much larger than the regular variety and much more flavourful. You can detect the difference in this variation when you take the first bite. The meat is crunchy and juicy and the shavings are uniform in shape — the meat is sliced on a machine, not cut manually. You can layer it with spicy Turkish sauce or regular garlic paste. I washed down the shawarma delights with a refreshing pineapple and mint juice. The creamy and frothy juice with a pista green colour tasted as good as it looked.

With prices ranging from Dh15 to Dh25 and served in variety of combinations, the shawarmas are worth the extra bucks and can be truly called shawarmas for the soul.

Details:

Meal for two: Dh75 to 100

Location: Najda Strert

Timings: from 10am- 1am. On Thursdays till 2am

Contact: 02-633 6633