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What to expect if you say "Ten" in Skopje

2 minutes to read

In the Balkans you will never go hungry. With several of my texts, I make a guide to ensure it will stay that way. No hunger, no anger.

Do you know what is Kebab? By the Wikipedia definition, Kebabs are various cooked meat dishes, with their origins of the Middle Eastern cuisine. Many variants are popular throughout Asia, and around the world. On the Balkans, like for Burek, the most famous place to eat Kebabs is in Sarajevo. In several cases, in places around, you can find a store claiming that they sell Sarajevski Kebap (Kebab from Sarajevo) just as a marketing trick to present the Kebabs they have as high quality.

I am here to tell you more about the Kebabs in Skopje. Actually, I wanted to tell you what will happen if you go to a restaurant and ask for “ten”. Then they will ask you back: “with or without onions?”. In some cases, they won't even ask you, and just serve you with 10 Kebabs and squared chopped onions.

Having “Kebaps only” stores is the most romantic side of Balkan cities, according to me. Being relaxed out of the pressure of infinite choices is a privilege nowadays. Kai expands on this theory in his story ‘’Univesitat’’. You should just go to the store, say TEN, and wait to be happily feeded. One legendary Macedonian movie called Suicide Guide has one scene which is equally legendary. The guy says that he will treat his girl like a Chinese queen. He will feed her constantly with Kebaps. That’s Balkans showing love and affection. Very romantic.

Find a Kebab store like Destan, Turist in the Old Bazzaar, or Pcela, and take the ten with onion and a Skopsko beer. This is the way to make memories. Finish your meal with “makanje” Here is short tutorial on how to do that:


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The author

Zlata Golaboska

Zlata Golaboska

I am Zlata and I am an architect living in the Balkans. I am passionate about cities, how people influence architecture and vice versa, and how places change our lives.

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