Turkey is known for so many issues, together with historical past, seashores, nature, and its traditions, however I’ll allow you to in on a secret—the meals in Turkey is like nowhere else on earth. In case you’re a foodie, you’ve simply discovered your match: each area is known for one thing, and the highest dishes are well-loved for an excellent purpose. Conventional dishes to strive in Turkey are plentiful.
I lived in Turkey for a number of years, and I nonetheless go to steadily now. My husband is Turkish and if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have opened my culinary thoughts and tried as many scrumptious varieties of Turkish meals as I’ve. That is arms down among the best locations to strive one thing new, and even when you’re a choosy eater, you’re certain to be tempted to provide new dishes a go merely due to how superb they give the impression of being and scent.
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15 Finest Meals to Attempt in Turkey
There’s a lot well-known meals in Turkey, that you simply may battle to know the place to start out—that’s the place this checklist is available in. The primary time I visited, I didn’t perceive rather a lot when it got here to the meals, and as ashamed as I’m to confess this now, I caught with the common worldwide fare. Don’t make the identical mistake; there’s far an excessive amount of deliciousness to get caught in a culinary rut.
On this checklist, you’ll discover 15 of the tastiest and most well-known meals to strive throughout your go to to Turkey. It doesn’t matter the place you’re visiting in Turkey, or what area, as you’ll discover these meals all over the place, and so they’re all fairly affordable by way of price too. You may acknowledge a few of them, however even when you don’t, be courageous and pattern them anyway: I promise you gained’t be dissatisfied.
1. Döner Kebab
(Most Well-known Meals to Attempt in Turkey Total)
Whenever you consider Turkish meals, you in all probability consider the döner kebab first. Now, I ought to level out that that is nothing just like the dry or greasy kebab you get on an evening out after the membership again residence; this can be a juicy, scrumptious, and downright mouth-watering deal with. You don’t need to smother this in ketchup and mayonnaise to make it style good – it does all that by itself.
Döner kebab is often both beef (mostly) or hen, and it’s cooked on a big rotisserie. The server slices items from the vertical “skewer” and layers them in your wrap, bread, or pitta, together with salad and infrequently fries. You may inform them when you don’t need any particular components added, and significantly with hen, a yogurt sauce could also be added.
So far as Turkish avenue meals goes, that is essentially the most well-known of all of them, and also you’ll discover distributors promoting it all over the place. Nonetheless, one of the best döner I’ve ever tried was from Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta in Beşiktaş, Istanbul. The meat is at all times juicy, and the queue ought to inform you how good it’s—get there early as a result of as soon as it’s gone, they shut for the day.
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Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta Data
Tackle: Sinanpaşa, Mumcu Bakkal Sokağı No:6, 34353 Beşiktaş/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 261 7693
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10.30 am – 5.30 pm, closed on Sundays
Common Price of the Dish: 150TL/$5
2. Turkish Breakfast (Together with Menemen)
I’m going to cheat a bit right here and add an entire meal fairly than a particular meals: if I listed the whole lot in a Turkish breakfast, I’d be right here all day. Breakfast is essentially the most well-known meal of the day in Turkey, and it’s identified regionally as ‘kahvaltı’. You’ll have seen footage of a desk crammed with small plates containing numerous meals, comparable to cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, chilly meats, eggs, jam, honey, and way more – properly, that’s a Turkish breakfast.
A typical breakfast in Turkey goes on for hours, and also you merely spend time speaking, sipping çay (tea), and nibbling on the whole lot on the desk. My favourite factor a few Turkish breakfast is menemen – a scorching breakfast dish consisting of peppers, generally onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, and eggs. It’s combined collectively, and also you eat it with bread—superb.
For essentially the most epic Turkish breakfast, head to Van Kahvaltı Evi in Beyoğlu, near Taksim, Istanbul. In case you’re visiting on the weekend, get there early because it’s extraordinarily common with locals. Nonetheless, I at all times assume that’s one of the best mark of high quality, and this place hasn’t dissatisfied me as soon as (and I’ve been many instances).
Van Kahvaltı Evi Data
Tackle: Kılıçali Paşa, Defterdar Ykş. 52/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 293 6437
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 5 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 400TL/$14
3. Lahmacun
One other well-known dish of Turkey is lahmacun, sometimes called Turkish pizza, though I don’t assume it’s something like pizza in any respect. Lahmacun is a skinny and crispy flatbread that’s topped with minced lamb, tomatoes, and spices after which cooked in a wood-fired oven. It’s then eaten rolled up with onions, greens, and tomatoes inside, smothered in lemon juice.
Gaziantep is known for lahmacun, and that is the place you’ll discover the spiciest of all of them. The server will ask you if you’d like it acılı (spicy) or acısiz (not spicy), so select based on your preferences. I at all times go for the non-spicy possibility as a result of in Turkey, once they say spicy, they actually do imply spicy!
You’ll discover lahmacun very simply throughout the whole nation, and one of the best I had was at Düveroğlu Kebap Salonu in Ankara, famed amongst locals as one of the best within the space. In some locations, the lahmacun generally is a little soggy, however right here was the crispiest and tastiest; I extremely advocate stopping in to strive it for your self when you’re within the space.
Düveroğlu Kebap Salonu Data
Tackle: Mutlukent Mahallesi, 2432. Cadde & 1924 Sk. 117-119-121, 06810 Ümitköy/Çankaya/Ankara
Cellphone: +90 031 223 51111
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 10 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 90TL/$3
Web site: https://duveroglu.com.tr
4. Pide
Some of the common meals in Turkey is indubitably pide. Similar to lahmacun, you’ll discover this totally all over the place, and it is available in differing types. Pide is a flatbread, however this can be a little thicker than lahmacun and formed like a ship, with an open filling within the center.
The most typical filings embrace mince meat (kıyma), cheese, cheese and spinach, meat, and peppers (kuşbaşılı), and generally you’ll discover it with a fried egg on high. That is an reasonably priced meals in Turkey and is commonly served with salad on the aspect. It’s historically from the Black Beach, significantly Trabzon; when you occur to be within the space, it’s one of the best place to strive it.
I had one of the best kıymalı pide from Terminal Pide Trabzon, and I stumbled upon it accidentally, just because there appeared to be a queue forming outdoors, so I figured it might be good. I wasn’t fallacious. Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter what metropolis or area you’re in, pide is a meals that’s very simple to seek out.
Terminal Pide Trabzon Data
Tackle: Sanayi, Terminal Sk. No:4, 61100 Ortahisar/Trabzon
Cellphone: +90 462 325 0436
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 7 pm, Sunday 8 am – 6 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 200TL/$7
5. Gözleme
One other of my favourite meals, and one which historically goes with breakfast. Gözleme is one other sort of flatbread, however this one is barely totally different because it’s created from both do-it-yourself bread or yufka, which is filo pastry. It’s full of a wide range of totally different fillings, together with potato, cheese, and spinach, or minced meat and onion.
Gözleme is often cooked on a sac griddle, which is a big, domed pan over a excessive warmth. Watching gözleme being made within the conventional manner in a village is sort of hypnotic, and also you’ll doubtless wish to give it a go your self after witnessing it. It’s a standard native meals in Turkey, and it may also be eaten as a avenue meals.
My favourite filling is potato, however you can even discover candy variations, comparable to Nutella by itself or with banana, or tahini. Gözleme is a typical meals in Turkey to get pleasure from with a scorching glass of çay (tea), and I liked the one I had in Ankara at Sevgi Anne Gözleme. This can be a meals well-known from the central Anatolian area and attempting it from the place it originated offers you the tastiest outcomes.
Sevgi Anne Gözleme Data
Tackle: Üniversiteler, Şht. Jnd. Astğmn. Mustafa Tayyarcan Cd. No:129, 06800 Çankaya/Ankara
Cellphone: +90 312 227 0201
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 7 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50
6. Mantı
In case you’ve ever been to Cappadocia or completed any analysis into it, you’ll in all probability know that mantı is a well-known meals from this stunning area, however total, it’s a must-eat in Turkey no matter the place you might be. It’s tough to place into phrases what this dish really is, however the closest description is a kind of ravioli or dumpling that’s crammed with meat or cheese, after which both boiled or fried (çıtır mantı). It’s normally served with yogurt and garlic.
This can be a common dish all around the nation, however when you’re in Cappadocia or the central a part of the nation, you’ll discover the tastiest mantı. I attempted it for the primary time at CANCAN Cafe & Restaurant in Cappadocia, and it’s a fantastic spot to go when you’re touring with kids; the costs are actually affordable, and it’s a laid-back spot to get pleasure from your meal. The mantı was actually flavorful, and you may select between the fried or boiled/steamed variations.
You’ll in all probability hear mantı known as Turkish ravioli, particularly on worldwide menus, so when you do see that, they’re one and the identical.
CANCAN Cafe & Restaurant Data
Tackle: Avcılar Mahallesi, No.27, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir
Cellphone: +90 038 427 12440
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 11 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 250TL/$8.50
7. Güveç
If you wish to strive actually genuine Turkish meals, you must give güveç a strive; in actual fact, when you’ve had it, you’ll be hooked, and also you’ll need it time and again – belief me. You may eat this scrumptious meal any time of the 12 months, however I believe it really works very well within the winter months if you’re after one thing heat and hearty to fill you up.
Güveç is likely one of the most conventional dishes in Turkey, and it’s a stew-style meal that’s made with slow-boiled meat, normally beef. The meat is left to prepare dinner for a number of hours, so it falls aside and melts in your mouth. Peppers, onions, tomatoes, and garlic are added, together with pepper salça, which is a kind of tomato paste, and it’s left to prepare dinner till the whole lot melts into each other.
This dish is normally served with rice, however don’t be afraid to seize some contemporary crusty bread and use it to mop up that scrumptious tomato gravy on the finish. Güveç is one in all my favourite conventional dishes and when you’re within the Istanbul space, head to Nişantaşı Güveç for an unforgettable model of this well-known meal.
Nişantaşı Güveç Data
Tackle: Teşvikiye, Akkavak Sk. No:36, 34365 Şişli/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 224 2464
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 8 pm, closed on Sundays
Common Price of the Dish: 200TL/$7
8. Cağ Kebabı
The primary time I visited Istanbul my husband insisted that we go to a small restaurant in Fatih referred to as Şehzade Cağ Kebap. I had no concept what I used to be it was, however as soon as we arrived, the place was packed; I figured it have to be good. I wasn’t fallacious; cağ kebabı is likely one of the high must-try dishes in Turkey, and when you love lamb, you’ll adore this well-known avenue meals.
Slightly than cooking the meat on a vertical rotisserie like döner, cağ kebabı is cooked on a horizontal spit with layers of marinated lamb that’s so juicy, you gained’t fairly consider it. I ought to clarify that I don’t like lamb once I’m within the UK, however this lamb is one thing very particular certainly. It’s served on a big kebab stick, and also you eat it with contemporary lavaş, onions, and tomatoes.
I loved the meal I had at Şehzade Cağ Kebap a lot, and I’m reliably knowledgeable that that is one of the best one, even supposing the dish really hails from Erzurum. I’ve returned a number of instances since, and when you occur to be within the space, I extremely advocate you seize a desk right here.
Şehzade Cağ Kebap Data
Tackle: Hoca Paşa, Hoca Paşa Sk. No:6 D:4, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 520 3361
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10.30 am – 10.30 pm, closed on Sundays
Common Price of the Dish: 170TL/$7
9. Köfte
Some of the well-known and simply discovered varieties of meals in Turkey is köfte, which is actually a kind of grilled or barbecued meatball. There are several types of köfte, together with Muğla köfte and Izmir köfte to say simply two, and the distinction comes all the way down to its form and the spices used. Nonetheless, I believe Izmir köfte is the tastiest of all of them, and when you’re within the metropolis, that is one thing you have to strive. You’ll discover common köfte completely all over the place.
Köfte might be served on a plate with potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and rice as a most important meal, or it may be loved as a avenue meals in both a wrap or on bread. Both manner, it’s scrumptious and is a well-known dish in Turkey, due to its versatility. You’ll additionally discover köfte in a sauce or a stew.
In case you’re strolling round Istanbul or Izmir particularly, you’ll discover avenue distributors cooking köfte in entrance of you and the scent is bound to make your mouth water. It’s fairly a problem to stroll previous with out giving in. I had one of the best köfte at a small spot in Izmir referred to as Köfteci Turgay; the köfte was so juicy, and I loved it a lot, that I went again once more the very subsequent day.
Köfteci Turgay Data
Tackle: Alsancak, 1456. Sk. No:92/B, 35280 Konak/İzmir
Cellphone: +90 232 404 0033
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 9 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 200TL/$7
10. Adana Kebab
Because the identify suggests, Adana kebab is a kind of Turkish delicacies that hails from the southern metropolis of Adana. In case you like spice, you’re going to get pleasure from this one, however you can even ask for it to be made barely much less spicy in case your tastebuds can’t fairly deal with the warmth. Both manner, it’s a really well-known and simply discovered dish, though one of the best ones are indubitably present in its namesake metropolis.
Adana kebab is product of minced lamb and spices that are mixed collectively and formed over a protracted kebab skewer. It’s then cooked over an open fireplace to make sure a slight crunch on the surface and loads of juiciness within the center. The skewer is eliminated earlier than dishing up, and it’s sometimes loved with lavaş, tomatoes, and onions, and served alongside rice or bulgur.
You can even get Adana kebab in a wrap, which is a well-known sort of avenue meals you possibly can seize on the go. Both manner, when you’re in Adana itself, ensure you add this to your must-try checklist; I can extremely advocate Adana Ege Kebap Salonu, as can the various locals who flock there, particularly at weekends.
Adana Ege Kebap Salonu Data
Tackle: Cemalpaşa, Ege Taksi içi, Kapalı Spor Salonu Karşısı, 63014. Sk. No:2, 01120 Seyhan/Adana
Cellphone: +90 543 457 3628
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 11 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 200TL/$7
11. Dolma
Dolma is a standard meals in Turkey and in addition across the Balkans, courting again to Ottoman instances. There are several types of dolma, however essentially the most well-known is vine leaves full of rice and spices. You can even discover dolma containing minced meat, or fish, nonetheless, the seafood model is much less widespread.
The dolma is wrapped up right into a cigar-like form after which boiled in liquid till it’s all absorbed and served whereas nonetheless heat. You’ll normally discover dolma served with lemon slices, and I wish to drench mine for a very zingy style. The wonderful thing about this dish is that you may eat it scorching or chilly, so in case you have any left, merely put them within the fridge and luxuriate in them in a while.
Dolma is discovered all around the nation, and it’s an excellent conventional dish that the majority households will make in some unspecified time in the future by means of any given week. I had actually scrumptious dolma in Kadıköy on the Asian aspect of Istanbul, in a small restaurant referred to as Çiya Sofrası; the flavors burst in my mouth, and that’s the place I realized my love for this well-known dish.
Çiya Sofrası Data
Tackle: Caferağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sok, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 216 418 5115
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday & Sunday, 11.30 am – 10 pm, Friday & Saturday, 11.30 am – 10.30 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 170TL/$6
12. Iskender Kebab
You’ll in all probability have come to understand by now that there are numerous varieties of kebab to strive, and consider me, I’ve solely launched you to a small handful; there are numerous extra. Nonetheless, Iskender kebab is likely one of the most well-known and conventional meals in Turkey. The dish hails from Bursa, however as with most of those dishes, you’ll discover it very simply irrespective of the place you might be within the nation.
Right here, sliced döner meat is served on high of chopped pitta bread, and is then lined in yogurt and a scorching tomato and butter sauce. You’ll discover this dish in eating places and small takeaways, though you’d typically eat it inside, as it may be fairly messy! What I like about Iskender is that it’s not dry like another grilled meat kebabs might be, and the bread completely soaks up the yogurt and tomato sauce.
When it comes to what to eat in Turkey, this dish may be very well-known, and even when you’re not Bursa, it’s an alternative choice you’ll discover all over the place. Nonetheless, it’s at all times greatest in its residence place, and I’d extremely advocate Uludağ Kebapçısı Cemal & Cemil Usta within the Osmangazi space of Bursa for a very conventional model.
Uludağ Kebapçısı Cemal & Cemil Usta Data
Tackle: Ulu Mahalle, Uluyol Caddesi, 16. Şirin Sk. No:12, 16220 Osmangazi/Bursa
Cellphone: +90 224 254 7264
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 7 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 250TL/$8.50
Web site: uludagkebapcisi.com
13. Baklava
When visiting Turkey, you should strive baklava, whether or not it’s your first time or not. That is a kind of meals that vacationers love, and locals get pleasure from on particular events, and it’s well-known throughout the nation. You’ll discover baklava in most high-end eating places as a dessert and in native patisseries (bakeries) to purchase by weight.
Baklava is a kind of meals in Turkey that you simply solely want a really small quantity of it, as a result of it’s fairly wealthy and candy, however there are differing types so yow will discover your favourite model. I like the unique sort essentially the most, which is product of layers of filo pastry with honey syrup and pistachio filling – it’s scrumptious with ice cream too.
I believe baklava makes a fantastic present for family and friends again residence, and Köşkeroğlu Baklava Tophane is a high spot to purchase it. The selection on supply is big, and so they present wrap it in a tin to make it look actually fancy. In fact, it won’t make it that far – I wouldn’t blame you for consuming it your self earlier than your return residence…
Köşkeroğlu Baklava Tophane Data
Tackle: Hacımimi, Kemeraltı Cd. No:46, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 053 097 74821
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 12 pm
Common Price of the Dish: Varies relying on weight
Web site: koskeroglu.com.tr
14. Kuru Fasulye
Kuru fasulye is arguably the staple meals of Turkey and it’s a standard home-cooked meals that the majority households get pleasure from a minimum of as soon as every week. You’ll additionally discover it in most residence meals eating places across the nation, referred to as ‘ev yemek,’ and it’s fairly affordable by way of worth and is simple to make.
Put merely, kuru fasulye means ‘dry beans,’ however the dish usually is a white bean stew in a tomato sauce. It’s sometimes served with rice and bread and infrequently comes as the primary course after soup and salad. The dish might be made with a small quantity of meat (normally beef), or it may be vegetarian.
This can be a typical Turkish meals that’s cooked all year long and is discovered completely all over the place, nonetheless, the tastiest home-cooked meals like that is discovered within the southeast, with an entire host of scrumptious spices to make the dishes much more scrumptious. İspir Fasülyeci Diyarbakır is extremely beneficial by many locals as a high place to do that conventional meals.
İspir Fasülyeci Diyarbakır Data
Tackle: Yenişehir, Lise 5. Sk. No:6, 21100 Yenişehir/Diyarbakır
Cellphone: +90 412 999 4720
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 10 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50
15. Çiğ Köfte
Whenever you first see çiğ köfte you’ll marvel what on earth it’s, however appears might be very deceiving and you must give it a strive. This can be a very wholesome and flavorful meals of Turkey and one that you simply’ll discover in lots of small vendor shops across the nation. The opposite plus level is that it’s tremendous low cost so it’s a fantastic avenue meals possibility when you’re on a price range.
Çiğ köfte hails initially from the southeast of Turkey, significantly the Urfa and Adıyaman space. It’s a mix of bulgur wheat, tomato paste, and spices which might be kneaded collectively till extraordinarily clean and served both in lettuce with pomegranate and lemon juice or in a wrap with no matter salad components you want. You can even ask for a spicy or non-spicy model.
There are giant firms that make this well-known dish, comparable to Komagene and Oses, however there are small distributors too, and also you typically discover the tastiest variations from locations like that. Çiğ köfte all around the nation however if you wish to strive essentially the most conventional model, head to Adıyaman and take a look at Yeni Nesil Adıyaman Çiğköfte Kenan Usta, a favourite amongst locals.
Yeni Nesil Adıyaman Çiğköfte Kenan Usta Data
Tackle: Kapcami, Eski Kahta Cd. No:10, 02100 Adıyaman Merkez/Adıyaman
Cellphone: +90 416 216 0282
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 12 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50
Should-Attempt Meals in Turkey: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to essentially the most generally requested questions on must-try meals in Turkey:
A typical meal in Turkey includes soup to start out, rice, meat, greens, and salad. Probably the most well-known conventional meals are due to this fact güveç and kuru fasulye. Nonetheless, kebabs are additionally widespread, with an enormous vary out there, together with Adana kebab, Urfa kebab, and Iskender.
Turkish delicacies is extraordinarily diversified, however the kebab is undoubtedly the nation’s most well-known dish. You’ll discover numerous several types of kebabs with diversified meats. Doner kebab might be essentially the most well-known of all of them, and also you’ll discover these kinds of eating places all through the whole nation.
The preferred meals in Turkey is tough to pinpoint, however doner kebab is extraordinarily common, together with lahmacun and pide.
Each a part of Turkey is known for a particular delicacies, with Izmir well-known for köfte, Cappadocia famed for its mantı, and Adana for its Adana kebab. Nonetheless, for a diversified mixture of dishes, you possibly can’t beat Istanbul; you’ll discover the whole lot you’re on the lookout for on this large metropolis.
A few of the greatest meals in Turkey falls below the road meals umbrella. Doner kebab, börek, pide, çiğ köfte, köfte, and kokoreç are a number of the most well-known varieties of avenue meals on supply.
In Conclusion
Turkish meals is a number of the greatest on the planet. Maybe I’m a bit biased, however spending giant quantities of time within the nation has opened my palate to utterly totally different flavors that I in all probability wouldn’t have dared strive in any other case. Whether or not you’re a meat lover, all concerning the greens, otherwise you’re into super-spicy delicacies, you’ll discover one thing you’ll fall in love with.
Totally different components of the nation are well-known for particular dishes, however there are some all-rounders, comparable to lahmacun, pide, and güveç that excel irrespective of the place you might be. And naturally, you possibly can’t begin the day with out a full and hearty Turkish breakfast!
So, put together your abdomen for a plethora of scrumptious tastes in your upcoming go to to Turkey—you actually gained’t go away hungry.
