How many calories in a bun kabab? Anday wala, chicken, beef, with chutney — plus low-calorie swaps to save 150 calories.
Bun kabab — the beloved Pakistani street food — is a delicious mix of a spiced patty, fried egg, fresh chutney, and soft bun. But how many calories are you actually eating?
| Bun Kabab Type | Calories (with egg) | Calories (without egg) |
|---|---|---|
| Beef bun kabab | 400–500 cal | 280–420 cal |
| Chicken bun kabab | 300–400 cal | 230–320 cal |
| Beef bun kabab (extra chutney) | 550–600 cal | 400–500 cal |
| Lettuce wrap (no bun) | 250–350 cal | 180–250 cal |
The bottom line: A standard anday wala bun kabab has 350–500 calories. Removing the egg saves ~70–80 calories. Using a lettuce wrap instead of a bun saves ~150 calories.
| Component | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bun (1 large milk bun) | 140 kcal | 4g | 3g | 26g |
| Shami Kabab Patty (1 piece) | 120 kcal | 9g | 8g | 4g |
| Egg (1 fried) | 90 kcal | 6g | 7g | 1g |
| Green Chutney (1 tbsp) | 10 kcal | 0.5g | 0.5g | 1.5g |
| Ketchup (1 tbsp) | 15 kcal | 0g | 0g | 4g |
| Oil Absorption from Frying (per patty) | 40-60 kcal | 0g | 5-7g | 0g |
| Total (Beef Shami Bun Kabab) | 375-435 kcal | 19-20g | 23-25g | 36-37g |
Note: If you order a double patty or anday wala bun kabab (egg), expect the total to jump to 500-600+ calories, with significantly higher fat content.
Bun (1 regular): 150–180 cal (mostly refined flour, sometimes brushed with ghee)
Beef patty (100g): 250–300 cal (depends on fat content)
Chicken patty (100g): 150–200 cal (leaner)
Fried egg: 70–90 cal (oil absorbed during frying)
Chutney (2 tbsp): 30–50 cal (can have hidden sugar/oil)
Oil on tawa: 30–50 cal (the patty absorbs some)
Compared to other popular street food items, bun kabab falls somewhere in the middle in terms of calorie density:
| Street Food Item | Calories per Serving | Protein | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bun Kabab (Beef Shami) | 400 kcal | 19g | 24g |
| Samosa (Potato) | 250 kcal | 4g | 14g |
| Chana Chaat | 220 kcal | 10g | 6g |
| Gol Gappay (6 pieces) | 200-250 kcal | 4g | 10g |
| Chicken Roll | 500-600 kcal | 22g | 26g |
| Zinger Burger | 520 kcal | 25g | 28g |
Yes, generally. A standard beef burger with cheese and mayo can hit 600–800 calories. Bun kabab uses lighter chutney instead of mayo, and the patty is often smaller. However, the fried egg adds extra fat — go without egg for a lighter option.
1. Skip the egg — saves 70–80 cal
2. Ask for less oil on the tawa — saves 30–50 cal
3. Use only half the bun (open-faced) — saves 80–100 cal
4. Replace bun with lettuce wrap — saves 150 cal
5. Skip sugary chutney — saves 30–50 cal (use lemon juice + green chutney instead)
Digital Kitchen Scale (SF-400) on Daraz PK
Measuring Spoons & Cups (10pcs) on Daraz PK
Newgett Digital Kitchen Scale on Amazon UAE
AMERTEER Measuring Cups & Spoons on Amazon UAE
Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale on Amazon UAE
To reduce calories without losing the authentic taste, follow these tips:
1. Use a whole wheat bun instead of a milk bun — saves ~50 calories and adds fiber.
2. Shallow fry patties in a non-stick pan with just 1 tsp of oil instead of deep frying.
3. Replace 50% of the meat in shami kabab with chana dal (split chickpeas) — boosts fiber and cuts fat.
4. Load up on fresh salad (onion, tomato, cucumber) instead of extra chutney to add volume with minimal calories.
5. Use Greek yogurt-based green chutney instead of oil-based chutneys — same tang, fewer calories.
Non-Stick Frying Pan (30-36cm) on Daraz PK
| Bun Kabab Variation | Approx. Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Shami Bun Kabab (Single) | 375-435 kcal | 19-20g |
| Aloo Bun Kabab | 300-350 kcal | 12-14g |
| Anday Wala Bun Kabab | 480-520 kcal | 24-26g |
| Double Patty Bun Kabab | 550-650 kcal | 30-34g |
| Chicken Bun Kabab | 320-380 kcal | 22-24g |
| Grilled (Homemade) Bun Kabab | 280-320 kcal | 19-20g |
A standard beef burger from a fast food chain (McDonald's, Burger King, or a local Pakistani chain) typically ranges from 500 to 600 calories. A bun kabab, by comparison, is lighter — largely because the patty itself is smaller and made with a mix of meat and lentils rather than pure beef.
Here is how they compare side by side:
| Item | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bun Kabab (Beef Shami) | 400 kcal | 19g | 24g | 36g |
| McDonald's Beef Burger | 520 kcal | 26g | 28g | 42g |
| Burger King Whopper | 670 kcal | 28g | 40g | 50g |
| Zinger Burger (Local) | 520 kcal | 25g | 28g | 42g |
| Grilled Chicken Burger | 420 kcal | 30g | 16g | 36g |
A standard anday wala bun kabab (beef patty, egg, chutney, bun) contains 350–500 calories. Chicken bun kabab is slightly lower: 300–400 calories.
Removing the egg saves about 70–80 calories. Total drops to 280–420 calories.
Yes, generally. A beef burger with cheese and mayo can hit 600–800 calories. Bun kabab uses lighter chutney (coriander/mint) instead of mayo, and the patty is often smaller. But the fried egg adds extra fat — go without egg for a lighter option.
300–400 calories (with egg). Without egg: 230–320 calories. Chicken is leaner than beef.
Skip the egg → save 70–80 cal. Ask for less oil on the tawa. Use only half the bun (open-faced) → save 100 cal. Replace bun with lettuce wrap → save 150 cal. Skip chutney if it has added sugar (most roadside ones do).
Chicken bun kabab without egg, extra salad, and no chutney. Add a squeeze of lemon instead. That is roughly 250 calories and 20g protein.
Up to 550–600 calories — the chutney often has hidden sugar/oil, and the bun is brushed with ghee.