Turkish Meals: 15 Conventional Dishes to Attempt in Turkey

Turkey is legendary for therefore 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. When you’re a foodie, you’ve simply discovered your match: each area is legendary for one thing, and the highest dishes are well-loved for an excellent cause. Conventional dishes to attempt in Turkey are plentiful.

I lived in Turkey for a number of years, and I nonetheless go to continuously 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 kinds of Turkish meals as I’ve. That is palms down the most effective locations to attempt one thing new, and even in case you’re a choosy eater, you’re positive to be tempted to offer new dishes a go merely due to how superb they appear and odor.

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 record is available in. The primary time I visited, I didn’t perceive loads 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 record, you’ll discover 15 of the tastiest and most well-known meals to attempt 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, they usually’re all fairly cheap by way of value too. You may acknowledge a few of them, however even in case you don’t, be courageous and pattern them anyway: I promise you gained’t be upset.

1. Döner Kebab
(Most Well-known Meals to Attempt in Turkey Total)

While you consider Turkish meals, you most likely 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 house; it is 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 usually both beef (mostly) or hen, and it’s cooked on a big rotisserie. The server slices items off the vertical “skewer” and layers them in your wrap, bread, or pitta, together with salad and infrequently fries. You’ll be able to inform them in case you don’t need any particular components added, and significantly with hen, a yogurt sauce could also be added.

So far as Turkish road meals goes, that is probably the most well-known of all of them, and also you’ll discover distributors promoting it all over the place. Nevertheless, 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 let you know how good it’s—get there early as a result of as soon as it’s gone, they shut for the day.

Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta Data

Handle: 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 Value of the Dish: 150TL/$5

2. Turkish Breakfast (Together with Menemen)

I’m going to cheat somewhat right here and add an entire meal moderately than a selected meals: if I listed all the pieces in a Turkish breakfast, I’d be right here all day. Breakfast is probably the most well-known meal of the day in Turkey, and it’s recognized regionally as ‘kahvaltı’. You’ll have seen footage of a desk stuffed with small plates containing varied meals, resembling cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, chilly meats, eggs, jam, honey, and rather more – effectively, 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 all the pieces on the desk. My favourite factor a couple of Turkish breakfast is menemen – a sizzling 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 probably the most epic Turkish breakfast, head to Van Kahvaltı Evi in Beyoğlu, near Taksim, Istanbul. When you’re visiting on the weekend, get there early because it’s extraordinarily fashionable with locals. Nevertheless, I at all times suppose that’s one of the best mark of high quality, and this place hasn’t upset me as soon as (and I’ve been many instances).

Van Kahvaltı Evi Data

Handle: Kılıçali Paşa, Defterdar Ykş. 52/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 293 6437
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 5 pm
Common Value of the Dish: 400TL/$14

3. Lahmacun

One other well-known dish of Turkey is lahmacun, sometimes called Turkish pizza, though I don’t suppose 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 legendary for lahmacun, and that is the place you’ll discover the spiciest of all of them. The server will ask you in order for you it acılı (spicy) or acısiz (not spicy), so select in response to your preferences. I at all times go for the non-spicy choice as a result of in Turkey, once they say spicy, they actually do imply spicy!

You’ll discover lahmacun very simply throughout your complete 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 could be a little soggy, however right here was the crispiest and tastiest; I extremely advocate stopping in to attempt it for your self in case you’re within the space.

Düveroğlu Kebap Salonu Data

Handle: 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 Value of the Dish: 90TL/$3
Web site: https://duveroglu.com.tr

4. Pide

Probably the most fashionable meals in Turkey is undoubtedly pide. Identical to lahmacun, you’ll discover this positively all over the place, and it is available in differing types. Pide is a flatbread, however it is a little thicker than lahmacun and formed like a ship, with an open filling within the center.

The most typical filings embody mince meat (kıyma), cheese, cheese and spinach, meat, and peppers (kuşbaşılı), and generally you’ll discover it with a fried egg on prime. That is an inexpensive meals in Turkey and is usually served with salad on the aspect. It’s historically from the Black Coastline, significantly Trabzon; in case you occur to be within the space, it’s one of the best place to attempt 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 will be good. I wasn’t improper. Nevertheless, 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

Handle: 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 Value 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 constituted of both do-it-yourself bread or yufka, which is filo pastry. It’s filled with a wide range of totally different fillings, together with potato, cheese, and spinach, or minced meat and onion.

Gözleme is usually 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 kind of hypnotic, and also you’ll seemingly need to give it a go your self after witnessing it. It’s a standard native meals in Turkey, and it can be eaten as a road meals.

My favourite filling is potato, however it’s also possible to discover candy variations, resembling Nutella by itself or with banana, or tahini. Gözleme is a typical meals in Turkey to take pleasure in with a sizzling glass of çay (tea), and I beloved 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

Handle: 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 Value of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50

6. Mantı

When you’ve ever been to Cappadocia or performed any analysis into it, you’ll most likely know that mantı is a well-known meals from this stunning area, however general, it’s a must-eat in Turkey no matter the place you’re. It’s troublesome to place into phrases what this dish truly is, however the closest description is a sort of ravioli or dumpling that’s stuffed with meat or cheese, after which both boiled or fried (çıtır mantı). It’s often served with yogurt and garlic.

This can be a fashionable dish everywhere in the nation, however in case 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 an incredible spot to go in case you’re touring with kids; the costs are actually cheap, and it’s a laid-back spot to take pleasure in your meal. The mantı was actually flavorful, and you may select between the fried or boiled/steamed variations.

You’ll most likely hear mantı known as Turkish ravioli, particularly on worldwide menus, so in case you do see that, they’re one and the identical.

CANCAN Cafe & Restaurant Data

Handle: Avcılar Mahallesi, No.27, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir
Cellphone: +90 038 427 12440
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 11 pm
Common Value of the Dish: 250TL/$8.50

7. Güveç

If you wish to attempt actually genuine Turkish meals, it’s a must to give güveç a attempt; in actual fact, when you’ve had it, you’ll be hooked, and also you’ll need it again and again – belief me. You’ll be able to eat this scrumptious meal any time of the yr, however I believe it really works very well within the winter months once you’re after one thing heat and hearty to fill you up.

Güveç is without doubt one of the most conventional dishes in Turkey, and it’s a stew-style meal that’s made with slow-boiled meat, often 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 sort of tomato paste, and it’s left to prepare dinner till all the pieces melts into each other.

This dish is often served with rice, however don’t be afraid to seize some recent crusty bread and use it to mop up that scrumptious tomato gravy on the finish. Güveç is certainly one of my favourite conventional dishes and in case you’re within the Istanbul space, head to Nişantaşı Güveç for an unforgettable model of this well-known meal.

Nişantaşı Güveç Data

Handle: 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 Value 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 known 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 improper; cağ kebabı is without doubt one of the prime must-try dishes in Turkey, and in case you love lamb, you’ll adore this well-known road meals.

Moderately 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 imagine it. I ought to clarify that I don’t like lamb after 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 recent 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, although the dish truly hails from Erzurum. I’ve returned a number of instances since, and in case you occur to be within the space, I extremely advocate you seize a desk right here.

Şehzade Cağ Kebap Data

Handle: 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 Value of the Dish: 170TL/$7

9. Köfte

Probably the most well-known and simply discovered kinds of meals in Turkey is köfte, which is basically a sort 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. Nevertheless, I believe Izmir köfte is the tastiest of all of them, and in case you’re within the metropolis, that is one thing you have to attempt. You’ll discover common köfte completely all over the place.

Köfte may be served on a plate with potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and rice as a principal meal, or it may be loved as a road meals in both a wrap or on bread. Both manner, it’s scrumptious and is a well-known dish in Turkey, because of its versatility. You’ll additionally discover köfte in a sauce or a stew.

When you’re strolling round Istanbul or Izmir particularly, you’ll discover road distributors cooking köfte in entrance of you and the odor is certain 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 known 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

Handle: Alsancak, 1456. Sk. No:92/B, 35280 Konak/İzmir
Cellphone: +90 232 404 0033
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 9 pm
Common Value of the Dish: 200TL/$7

10. Adana Kebab

Because the identify suggests, Adana kebab is a sort of Turkish delicacies that hails from the southern metropolis of Adana. When you like spice, you’re going to take pleasure in this one, however it’s also possible to 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 undoubtedly present in its namesake metropolis.

Adana kebab is manufactured from minced lamb and spices that are mixed collectively and formed over a protracted kebab skewer. It’s then cooked over an open hearth to make sure a slight crunch on the skin 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 too can get Adana kebab in a wrap, which is a well-known sort of road meals you’ll be able to seize on the go. Both manner, in case you’re in Adana itself, ensure you add this to your must-try record; I can extremely advocate Adana Ege Kebap Salonu, as can the various locals who flock there, particularly at weekends.

Adana Ege Kebap Salonu Data

Handle: 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 Value 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 probably the most well-known is vine leaves filled with rice and spices. You too can discover dolma containing minced meat, or fish, nevertheless, the seafood model is much less frequent.

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 often discover dolma served with lemon slices, and I wish to drench mine for a very zingy style. The beauty of this dish is that you would be able to eat it sizzling or chilly, so if in case you have any left, merely put them within the fridge and revel in them afterward.

Dolma is discovered everywhere in the nation, and it’s an excellent conventional dish that the majority households will make sooner or later via any given week. I had actually scrumptious dolma in Kadıköy on the Asian aspect of Istanbul, in a small restaurant known as Çiya Sofrası; the flavors burst in my mouth, and that’s the place I discovered my love for this well-known dish.

Çiya Sofrası Data

Handle: 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 Value of the Dish: 170TL/$6

12. Iskender Kebab

You’ll most likely have come to comprehend by now that there are numerous kinds of kebab to attempt, and imagine me, I’ve solely launched you to a small handful; there are numerous extra. Nevertheless, Iskender kebab is without doubt 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’re within the nation.

Right here, sliced döner meat is served on prime of chopped pitta bread, and is then lined in yogurt and a sizzling tomato and butter sauce. You’ll discover this dish in eating places and small takeaways, though you’ll 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 may 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 in case you’re not Bursa, it’s an alternative choice you’ll discover all over the place. Nevertheless, it’s at all times greatest in its house 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

Handle: 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 Value of the Dish: 250TL/$8.50
Web site: uludagkebapcisi.com

13. Baklava

When visiting Turkey, you should attempt baklava, whether or not it’s your first time or not. That is a kind of meals that vacationers love, and locals take pleasure in 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 you’ll find your favourite model. I like the unique sort probably the most, which is manufactured from layers of filo pastry with honey syrup and pistachio filling – it’s scrumptious with ice cream too.

I believe baklava makes an incredible present for family and friends again house, and Köşkeroğlu Baklava Tophane is a prime spot to purchase it. The selection on provide is large, they usually present wrap it in a tin to make it look actually fancy. After all, it may not make it that far – I wouldn’t blame you for consuming it your self earlier than your return house…

Köşkeroğlu Baklava Tophane Data

Handle: Hacımimi, Kemeraltı Cd. No:46, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 053 097 74821
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 12 pm
Common Value 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 take pleasure in not less than as soon as every week. You’ll additionally discover it in most house meals eating places across the nation, generally known as ‘ev yemek,’ and it’s fairly cheap by way of value and is simple to make.

Put merely, kuru fasulye means ‘dry beans,’ however the dish basically is a white bean stew in a tomato sauce. It’s sometimes served with rice and bread and infrequently comes as the principle course after soup and salad. The dish may be made with a small quantity of meat (often 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, nevertheless, 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 very really helpful by many locals as a prime place to do that conventional meals.

İspir Fasülyeci Diyarbakır Data

Handle: Yenişehir, Lise 5. Sk. No:6, 21100 Yenişehir/Diyarbakır
Cellphone: +90 412 999 4720
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 10 pm
Common Value of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50

15. Çiğ Köfte

While you first see çiğ köfte you’ll surprise what on earth it’s, however appears to be like may be very deceiving and it’s a must to give it a attempt. 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 an incredible road meals choice in case you’re on a finances.

Çiğ köfte hails initially from the southeast of Turkey, significantly the Urfa and Adıyaman space. It’s a combination of bulgur wheat, tomato paste, and spices which can be kneaded collectively till extraordinarily easy and served both in lettuce with pomegranate and lemon juice or in a wrap with no matter salad components you want. You too can ask for a spicy or non-spicy model.

There are massive firms that make this well-known dish, resembling Komagene and Oses, however there are small distributors too, and also you typically discover the tastiest variations from locations like that. Çiğ köfte everywhere in the nation however if you wish to attempt probably 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

Handle: Kapcami, Eski Kahta Cd. No:10, 02100 Adıyaman Merkez/Adıyaman
Cellphone: +90 416 216 0282
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 12 pm
Common Value of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50

Should-Attempt Meals in Turkey: FAQs

Listed below are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions on must-try meals in Turkey:

In Conclusion

Turkish meals is among the greatest on the earth. Maybe I’m somewhat biased, however spending massive quantities of time within the nation has opened my palate to utterly totally different flavors that I most likely wouldn’t have dared attempt in any other case. Whether or not you’re a meat lover, all in regards to the greens, otherwise you’re into super-spicy delicacies, you’ll discover one thing you’ll fall in love with.

Completely different elements of the nation are well-known for particular dishes, however there are some all-rounders, resembling lahmacun, pide, and güveç that excel irrespective of the place you’re. And naturally, you’ll be able to’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 depart hungry.