If you want a mild, creamy chicken kabob, order the Chicken Malai Kabob. If you want something soft and minced with a bright, tangy edge, get the Chicken Koobideh with sumac and saffron, and if you want heat, go for the Chicken Tandoori Boti or the Chicken Tandoori Seekh Kabob. All four come off the same lava rock grill at Ribs 'n' Kabobs in Artesia, and this guide helps you choose between them.
Ribs 'n' Kabobs is a family-owned, HFSAA-certified, 100% Zabiha Halal BBQ and grill restaurant at 18925 Norwalk Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701, serving Los Angeles County, Orange County and the rest of Southern California since 2014.
It is one of the most common questions at the counter. Someone looks up at the board, sees four chicken kabobs, and asks which one they should get. The honest answer is that it depends on two things: whether you like minced meat or whole chunks, and how much heat you want. Once you know those, the choice gets easy.
Which chicken kabob should I order first?
Start by deciding on texture.
Minced kabobs are made from ground chicken pressed along a flat skewer. They are soft and juicy, and they carry the seasoning all the way through. On our menu that means the Chicken Koobideh and the Chicken Tandoori Seekh Kabob.
Chunk kabobs are cubes of chicken marinated and threaded on a skewer. They have more bite, and the outside of each piece picks up char from the grill. That means the Chicken Malai Kabob and the Chicken Tandoori Boti.
Then decide on heat. Malai and Koobideh are the gentle pair. The two tandoori kabobs are the spicy pair. Put those two choices together and you have your skewer.
If you want the story of how the kabobs are mixed, shaped and grilled, that is all in how we make our kabobs. This post is only about picking one.
How do the four chicken kabobs compare?
| Kabob | Cut | Seasoning | Heat | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Malai Kabob | Chunks | Cardamom, cream cheese and mozzarella | Mild | Kids, first timers, anyone avoiding chili |
| Chicken Koobideh | Minced | Sumac and saffron | Mild | A soft, tangy kabob with rice |
| Chicken Tandoori Boti | Chunks of thigh meat | Traditional tandoori spices | Spicy | Chunks with char and real heat |
| Chicken Tandoori Seekh Kabob | Minced | Traditional spices with spicy tandoori sauce | Spicy | Fans of seekh kabob who want chicken |
Chicken Malai Kabob
Malai is the kabob for people who say they do not like spicy food. The chicken cubes are marinated with cardamom, cream cheese and mozzarella, which keeps the meat tender and gives it a rich, almost buttery flavor once it hits the grill. The edges brown and crisp while the inside stays soft. If you are bringing children, or a friend who is new to South Asian food, this is the safe and happy order.
Chicken Koobideh
Koobideh is a Persian style of minced kabob. Ours is ground chicken seasoned with sumac and saffron. Sumac gives a light, lemony tang, and saffron adds color and a gentle floral note. It is not hot. Koobideh is softer than a chunk kabob and pairs well with basmati rice, which soaks up the juices.
Chicken Tandoori Boti
Boti means pieces. The Chicken Tandoori Boti is cubed thigh meat marinated in traditional tandoori spices. Thigh meat stays juicy over high heat, so the outside can char without the inside drying out. This one has a kick, and it is the same boti that shows up on Tandoori Thursday, one of our daily specials in Artesia.
Chicken Tandoori Seekh Kabob
This is a minced chicken kabob with traditional spices and a spicy tandoori sauce. Think of it as the cousin of the Beef Seekh Kabob, made with chicken. It is the hottest of the four for most people, and it goes well with naan and a cooling side like hummus or green salad.
Does the lava rock grill change how each kabob tastes?
It does, and in different ways for each style. A lava rock grill is a gas grill with a bed of volcanic rock under the grate. The rocks hold heat evenly, and when juices drip onto them they turn into smoke that rises back into the meat.
Chunk kabobs like Malai and Boti get the most direct contact, so they pick up the most char on their edges. Minced kabobs like Koobideh and Tandoori Seekh cook a little faster and stay softer, with a thinner crust. If you love that charred, smoky edge, lean toward chunks. If you care more about tenderness, lean toward minced.
Every kabob at Ribs 'n' Kabobs, chicken, beef or lamb, is cooked over a lava rock grill in our Artesia kitchen.
What about beef and lamb kabobs?
Chicken is only half the board. Two red meat kabobs are worth a line here because they round out a platter so well.
- Beef Seekh Kabob. Minced beef on a flat skewer. It is the classic seekh kabob, and it has a deeper, meatier flavor than any of the chicken options.
- Grandma Recipe Lamb Seekh Kabob. Minced lamb or goat with the family's own spices. It is richer than beef and carries the family recipe.
If you like lamb but want a different cut, the grilled Lamb Loin Chops are on the menu as well.
How many skewers should I order on a Kabob Platter?
Kabob Platters come with 1 to 5 skewers, and you can mix any kabobs you like. Two skewers come with one side. Three, four and five skewers come with two sides. A single skewer can also be added to any order.
A simple rule of thumb that works for most tables:
- One person, first visit. Two skewers, one mild and one spicy, so you can taste the difference. Malai and Tandoori Boti is a good pair.
- Two people sharing. Three or four skewers with two sides, such as basmati rice and naan.
- A family or a group. Five skewers with a mix of chicken, beef and lamb, plus hummus or green salad on the side.
Sides on the menu include basmati rice, naan, paratha, pita, hummus, green salad, grilled corn, grilled asparagus, garlic bread, mashed potatoes and BBQ beans. The current list is always on the menu.
Are all the kabobs halal?
Yes. Every kabob we serve is 100% Zabiha Halal, made from hand-slaughtered meat, and the restaurant is certified by HFSAA, the Halal Food Standards Alliance of America. You can read their standard at hfsaa.org. There is no pork and no alcohol on site. If you are new to the term, our guide to what zabiha halal means covers it in plain words.
Ribs 'n' Kabobs in Artesia serves four chicken kabobs: Chicken Malai Kabob, Chicken Koobideh, Chicken Tandoori Boti and Chicken Tandoori Seekh Kabob, all 100% Zabiha Halal.
Come try them side by side
The easiest way to settle the question is to order two or three and taste them together. We are a short drive from Cerritos, Norwalk and Bellflower, and a mixed platter is an easy order to share. Remember that we are closed on Mondays.
Ribs 'n' Kabobs, 18925 Norwalk Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701. Directions and current hours are on the contact page.