Tikka vs. Boti vs. Seekh Kabab — What's Actually the Difference?

Breaking Down the Terms

Tikka technically refers to any boneless piece of meat marinated and grilled — it's a broad category, and 'chicken tikka' is really shorthand for a specific popular version of it. Boti is more specific: small, bite-sized boneless cubes, typically cut deliberately uniform for even grilling. 'Malai boti' refers to the cream-marinated version specifically, not the cut itself.

Seekh kabab is different altogether — it's not a cut of meat at all, but minced meat mixed with spices and herbs, then pressed onto a flat skewer and grilled. The texture is entirely different from tikka or boti: denser, more uniform, with the spice mixed throughout rather than just marinated on the surface.

• Tikka — broad term for marinated, grilled boneless meat pieces.
• Boti — small, uniformly-cut boneless cubes, often used interchangeably with tikka.
• Malai Boti — specifically the cream-and-cheese marinated version.
• Seekh Kabab — minced meat with spices, pressed onto a skewer, distinct texture from tikka/boti.

Try Them All at YUM PUM

Our BBQ platters let you sample tikka, malai boti, and seekh kabab in one order. Browse at yumpum.pk.