What it means
کوبیده (kubide) is the famous Iranian kebab made from minced meat, usually lamb or beef, pressed onto a wide flat skewer and grilled over charcoal. The full name is کباب کوبیده (kabab-e kubide), but in everyday speech people just say کوبیده. The word comes from the native Persian verb کوبیدن (kubidan), “to pound” or “to mince,” because the meat is pounded until it is smooth and sticky. Do not confuse it with کوفته (kufte), a meatball from the same pounding root but a completely different dish.
How to use it
- یه پرس کوبیده با برنج میخوام. (ye pors kubide ba berenj mikham.) “I want one portion of kubide with rice.”
- کوبیدهی اینجا خیلی خوبه. (kubide-ye inja kheyli khube.) “The kubide here is really good.”
- دو تا سیخ کوبیده لطفاً. (do ta sikh kubide lotfan.) “Two skewers of kubide, please.”
- کوبیده دوست داری یا جوجه؟ (kubide dust dari ya juje?) “Do you like kubide or chicken kebab?”
Cultural note
کوبیده is probably the most ordered kebab in Iran, a staple at kababi restaurants and family gatherings alike. It is classically served as چلوکباب (chelokabab) over steamed white rice with grilled tomato, raw onion, and a pat of butter, often with sumac sprinkled on top. The grilling on flat metal skewers over charcoal is part of what gives it its texture, and getting the minced meat to stick to the skewer without falling off is considered a real skill.