What it means
جوجه کباب (juje kabâb) is chicken kebab, the dish of marinated chicken pieces grilled on skewers over charcoal. The word is a compound: جوجه (juje) means “chick” or “young chicken” and is native Persian, while کباب (kabâb) is borrowed from Arabic كَبَاب and refers to grilled meat. The classic version is marinated in saffron, lemon juice, onion, and yogurt, which gives it a golden color. A common contrast is کباب کوبیده (kabâb-e kubide), the minced-meat kebab, which is made with ground lamb or beef instead of chicken.
How to use it
- یه پرس جوجه کباب میخوام. (ye pors juje kabâb mikhâm.) “I want one serving of chicken kebab.”
- جوجه کباب با زعفران خیلی خوشمزهتره. (juje kabâb bâ za’farân kheyli khoshmaze-tare.) “Chicken kebab with saffron is much tastier.”
- این رستوران جوجه کبابش حرف نداره. (in resturân juje kabâbesh harf nadâre.) “This restaurant’s chicken kebab is the best.”
- جوجه رو از دیشب خوابوندم. (juje ro az dishab khâbundam.) “I marinated the chicken since last night.”
Cultural note
جوجه کباب is one of the most beloved kebabs in Iran and a staple of both restaurants and family outings. It is a centerpiece of the outdoor picnic culture, where families grill it on portable charcoal braziers in parks and along rivers, especially on weekends and on Sizdah Bedar, the thirteenth day of Nowruz. It is usually served with grilled tomatoes, saffron rice (chelo), or flatbread, and a sprinkle of sumac.