A late-night meal landed Dua Lipa in the middle of an unexpected Balkan food debate.
A video showing the pop star eating a pljeskavica at 4:30 a.m. after a night out in Pristina quickly went viral on social media. Lipa, who was accompanied by her sister Rina, shared the moment online, prompting thousands of comments about the dish’s cultural origins.
Pljeskavica is a grilled meat patty widely eaten throughout the Balkans, often served in flatbread with onions, sauces and other toppings. One social media post described Lipa’s meal as a “traditional Kosovan pljeskavica sandwich,” a characterization that drew criticism from Serbian users.
Some commenters argued that pljeskavica is exclusively Serbian and accused the singer and the account that shared the video of appropriating Serbian cuisine. The reaction echoed an earlier controversy in which Lipa reportedly referred to ajvar, a popular roasted red pepper spread, as an Albanian delicacy.
As the online argument intensified, the account Kos Data issued an update stating that pljeskavica and ćevapi—small grilled meat sausages—are commonly prepared across the Balkans and are not exclusive to one country.
The account also noted that the particular pljeskavica Lipa ate reportedly came from a Bosnian restaurant, adding another layer to the already regional debate.
Both pljeskavica and ćevapi are deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of several Balkan countries. Because of their widespread popularity, disagreements over their exact origins and national identity continue to resurface—this time with one of the world’s biggest pop stars at the center of the conversation.
