The origins of Döner Kebab have long been a topic of debate. Some argue it’s a Berlin creation, while others trace its roots back to Turkey. To shed light on this culinary discussion, we asked Burcu Serdar Köknar, who will be teaching the course “Food, Culture and Globalization” at NYU Berlin starting in Spring 2025, to write a short piece about Döner Kebab and its unique place in Berlin’s food culture.
By Burcu SERDAR KÖKNAR*
Döner Kebab is one of the most iconic street foods in Berlin, and it can be found almost everywhere across the city’s bustling street food scene. Wherever street food is sold, döner kebab is always present. The origins of this beloved dish have always sparked much debate: where exactly does döner kebab come from?
Food culture, including the evolution of specific dishes, is shaped by people and cannot be separated from human movements and migration. Given Berlin’s rich immigrant identity, the city’s food culture has been heavily influenced by the cuisines of its immigrant populations. Döner kebab is one of the most significant of these influences, to the point that it has become a staple of the national fast food scene in Germany. [Read more…] about The Döner Phenomenon: How Berlin Made It Its Own