I don't blame you for not feeding kibble. I like to know exactly what my dogs ingesting also; as in all the ingredients and exactly where it came from and such. I never noticed a different smell, but I noticed it on their breath! Kibble made their teeth yellow, too. I know my dogs are getting enough food and some days they still beg and beg. It's just in their instincts as dogs are programmed to eat whenever food is around... it's how they survive in the wild. They never know from day to day what will be there in terms of food so when they smell food, they want to eat!
I'd just ignore him

What you listed sounded like plenty of food! Do you weigh him consistently to make sure he's gaining weight?