If you’re a traveler who loves trying new and exciting foods, then this dish from Aleppo, Syria, will completely steal your heart—and your taste buds. It’s called Cherry Kebab, or Kebab bil Karaz in Arabic, and it’s one of the most unique meals you’ll ever taste.
Let’s take a delicious journey to discover it.
🍒 What Is Cherry Kebab?
Cherry Kebab is a special dish made of juicy minced lamb cooked with sour cherries. Sounds unusual? It is—but in the best way possible. The meat brings the savory, the cherries bring the sweet and sour, and together they create a rich, mouthwatering flavor that’s unforgettable.
It’s usually served with toasted bread or a scoop of white rice to soak up all that tangy cherry sauce. This isn’t just food. It’s a flavor explosion you’ll dream about long after your trip is over.
🔗 TasteAtlas on Kebab bil Karaz
🌳 The Secret Ingredient: Washneh Cherries
The cherries used in this dish aren’t your average kind. They’re called Washneh, or sometimes St. Lucie cherries (Prunus mahaleb), and they grow mainly around Aleppo. These cherries are small, deep red, and very sour. That sourness is exactly what makes the dish so special.
Without these cherries, Cherry Kebab just wouldn’t be Cherry Kebab. Their unique tart taste turns the rich lamb into something truly next-level.
Check out Mark Wiens video about Cherry Kabab here.
🌸 The Land of Cherries: Jabal al-Zawiya
Many of these prized cherries come from the hilly region of Jabal al-Zawiya, located in Syria’s Idlib province. This area is well-known for its ancient cherry orchards, where trees have been lovingly tended by local families for generations.
The locals speak of the cherry like a treasured family heirloom. A popular saying goes:
“Ten years of toil, ten of gold, and ten of firewood.”
This reflects the cherry tree’s life cycle: it takes a decade to mature, another to produce abundant fruit, and eventually, it declines.
Before the war, Jabal al-Zawiya cherries were exported as far as Russia and the Gulf, where their quality was praised worldwide. Today, because of border closures and ongoing instability, most of the harvest stays in the region. Still, once in a while, you might spot one in a European market—sold for an eye-watering price per cherry!
A Taste of Culture and History
Cherry Kebab is more than just a tasty meal. It’s a window into the soul of Aleppo—a city with a long, rich history of food and culture. The sweet-sour balance in this dish reflects Aleppo’s diversity, with influences from Armenian, Jewish, and Arab kitchens all blended into one beautiful recipe.
Eating it is like taking a bite out of Aleppo’s past and present.
✈️ Your Next Flavor Adventure Starts Here
So if you ever find yourself walking the streets of Aleppo—or dreaming about it—don’t miss the chance to try Cherry Kebab. It’s bold, it’s unexpected, and it’s one of those meals you’ll never forget.
Whether you’re sitting in a traditional restaurant or sharing it with locals, this dish will give you a true taste of Syria’s warm heart and culinary magic.
Now that you know the story behind Cherry Kebab, isn’t it time you tasted it for yourself? Come for the history, stay for the food. Syria’s flavors are waiting.