Seekh Kabab vs Chapli Kabab vs Bihari Kabab: What’s the Difference?

Seekh kabab, chapli kabab, and Bihari kabab may sit together on a menu, but they are made in different ways. Seekh kabab is seasoned ground meat shaped along a skewer and grilled. Chapli kabab is ground meat pressed into a flat patty and cooked on a pan. Bihari kabab is usually made from thin pieces of meat that are marinated and then grilled.

These differences change the bite you get, even when the kababs use similar spices. If you are choosing your first plate, look at the shape, cooking method, and texture rather than assuming one name means mild or spicy.

Seekh, Chapli, and Bihari Kabab at a Glance

The easiest way to tell these kababs apart is to look at what happens to the meat before cooking. Here is a quick comparison.

These are common ways to make each kabab. The meat, seasoning, and amount of heat can change from one kitchen to another. If you have a strong spice preference, ask about the restaurant’s recipe before ordering.

What Is Seekh Kabab?

Seekh means skewer. To make this kabab, a cook mixes ground meat with seasonings, shapes it around a skewer, and grills it. That gives seekh kabab its long shape and browned outside.

Seekh kabab can be made with different meats. Chicken and beef versions, for example, will not taste exactly alike even when they are prepared in the same style. Herbs and spices also change the flavor. The name tells you how the meat is shaped and cooked, but it does not tell you how hot the kabab will be.

If you want a meal rather than a single grilled item, ask what comes with the seekh kabab. Rice, naan, and other sides may need to be ordered separately.

What Is Chapli Kabab?

Chapli kabab also commonly starts with ground meat, but the cook presses it into a flat patty. It is then cooked on a pan or flat cooking surface. Because more of the meat touches that surface, the outside can brown in a different way from a seekh kabab.

A chapli kabab is not cooked along a skewer. Its wider shape and patty-like texture are the main things to look for when you see it on a menu. Some recipes include herbs, onions, and other seasonings, but there is no single spice mix used by every restaurant.

Choose chapli when you want a kabab with a browned surface and a bite that feels different from a grilled seekh. Ask about the heat level if you have not tried the restaurant’s version before.

What Is Bihari Kabab?

Bihari kabab is usually made from thin cuts of meat, not ground meat pressed into a shape. The pieces are coated in a marinade before they are grilled. The cut of meat and marinade give it a different texture and flavor from both seekh and chapli kabab.

Many traditional Bihari kabab recipes use beef, but that does not mean every restaurant serves a beef version. Chicken Bihari kabab is available too. Likewise, the name does not promise one set of spices or a fixed level of heat.

If you enjoy marinated grilled meat and want to try something other than a ground-meat kabab, Bihari is a choice to consider.

Which Kabab Should You Order?

Think about the kind of bite you want. Shape and cooking method are more useful guides than trying to guess which kabab is “best.”

• Choose seekh kabab for seasoned ground meat cooked along a skewer.
• Choose chapli kabab for a flat, browned ground-meat patty.
• Choose Bihari kabab for thin, marinated pieces of grilled meat.

Naan or rice can help turn any of the three into a fuller meal. Check the menu—or ask the restaurant—before ordering sides, since what comes with a kabab can vary.

Try the Three Styles at Ya Habibi in Astoria

If you live in Astoria or are visiting the area, Ya Habibi Kabab & Karahi lists all three styles on its menu. You can choose Chicken or Beef Seekh Kabab, Chicken Chapli Kabab, or Chicken Bihari Kabab.

The menu lists Chicken Chapli Kabab as a two-piece order and Chicken Bihari Kabab as a six-piece order. Those counts can help you start planning, but ask about portion sizes if you are ordering for more than one person. You can also ask which dishes suit your spice preference.

Ya Habibi is at 25-79 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11103. See the current menu or call (929) 519-0982 to ask about availability, portions, and sides.

Conclusion

The simplest way to remember the difference is skewer, patty, or marinated pieces. Seekh is shaped along a skewer, chapli is pressed flat, and Bihari is usually made with thin cuts of meat. If you are in Astoria, explore Ya Habibi’s menu to find the style you would like to try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are quick answers to a few questions that come up when comparing kababs.

Are seekh and chapli kababs made from the same kind of meat?

Both can be made with ground meat, but the meat and seasoning depend on the restaurant. Ya Habibi lists chicken and beef seekh kababs and a chicken chapli kabab.

Is Bihari kabab made from ground meat?

Usually not. It is commonly made from thin pieces of meat that are marinated before grilling.

Is chapli kabab grilled on a skewer?

No. Chapli kabab is shaped into a flat patty and commonly cooked on a pan or flat surface.

Which kabab is the spiciest?

There is no dependable ranking by name. Ask the restaurant about its current recipe and spice level if heat matters to you.