The Famous Turkish Food You Must Try as a Tourist

The Ottoman Empire’s expansion and increased exposure to a wide variety of culinary traditions led to the development of Turkish cuisine as we know it today throughout that empire’s time in power.

You may taste influences from all over the world in today’s Turkish cuisine, including the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Balkans. Traditional Turkish food is worth trying when you are in Turkey on a visit.

In the shops that sell Turkish delicacies, you can find them in every color of the rainbow. They are typical of a bite-sized nature, allowing you to quickly sample each one.

With Turkish food, you should also check these historical Turkish cities that Muslims should visit.

1. Baklava

The perfect dessert should have flakiness, crispiness, tenderness, and an abundance of sweetness; baklava possesses all of these qualities. Baklava is considered an art form in Turkey, and each baklava maker has its own unique characteristic style.

You can get baklava made with hazelnuts, pistachios, or walnuts, and it can have a variety of different sweet flavors, such as honey, rosewater, or orange blossom.

2. Simit

It’s possible that some people will refer to this as the offspring of a bagel and a pretzel. Typically, sesame seeds are used to decorate the surface of these round and doughy carb pleasures.

Even though they are delicious at any time of day, the best moment to enjoy one of them is right after it has been removed from the oven. They are the ideal snack to pick up while you make your way through Istanbul’s many attractions.

In addition to that, don’t you think that taking pictures of them would be a lot of fun?

Check out these interesting and amazing facts about Turkey that many Turkish people don’t even know.

3. Kunefe

If you appreciate the thought of cheese as a sweet treat, you will fall head over heels in love with kunefe the moment you lay your eyes on it.

This delicious cheese dessert is constructed with shredded filo that is then filled with melted cheese and soaked in a sugar syrup before being baked. Yum!!

4. Lahmacun

Lahmacun, which is similar to cheeseless pizza but otherwise is not deficient in any way, is the ideal dish for a Friday night meal.

This is a traditional grab-and-go supper that is made using Turkish flatbread and topped with meat that has been lavishly seasoned with spices.

5. Balik Ekmek

Sandwiches made with fried or grilled fish that are topped with a variety of veggies and put inside of fresh Turkish bread are one of the most well-known things to eat in Istanbul.

You can find these sandwiches all throughout the city.

6. Su Boregi

Su borei is a type of filo pastry that is packed with cheese and parsley. It is also known as water borek. During the summer months, street sellers set up shop outside of almost every city in Turkey, providing dishes as simple and speedy as this one.

Because much of Turkey maintains its stunning appearance throughout the year, there is never a bad time to have a meal al fresco there. Picnic, anyone?

7. Kofta

This meal, which combines meatballs and meatloaf, is very well-liked in many different parts of the world, including India, Central Asia, the Caucasus region, the Middle East, and the Balkans.

I could make an attempt to explain what exactly this material is, but doing so would be an impossible undertaking. I’ve been told that there are a staggering 291 distinct varieties of kofta to choose from.

You will even discover vegan and vegetarian kofta. Try making batrak koftesi, a traditional Turkish dish that replaces the eggs that are typically used in the recipe with tahini as a vegan alternative. I kofte, which is a vegetarian option and is made with lentils, is an outstanding food.

8. Kumpir

The baked potato gets the Turkish treatment in this country’s version of the dish. A potato is given salt, butter, and cheese before being transformed into this typical dish. However, they do not cease there!

On a kumpir, you’ll discover an assortment of condiments, including pickled cabbage, coleslaw, Russian salad, olives, and pickles, among other things.

9. A Breakfast with Turkish Delight

The people of Turkey are cooking up a storm in the kitchen every day of the week, whereas many of us consider a special brunch to be an event that only takes place on Sundays.

You may expect to have a table piled high with food if you choose to have a classic Turkish breakfast.

We are talking about a variety of cheeses (feta is quite popular in this region), bread topped with sesame seeds, a variety of jams and dips, eggs, and, of course, a robust cup of Turkish coffee to wash it all down with.

Final Words

Even while Turkey as a whole has a reputation for having excellent cuisine, Istanbul stands out as a culinary powerhouse. Every street is jam-packed with mouthwatering restaurants and food stalls. Check out my guide to finding the best food in Istanbul before you leave, and I’ll see you there!

Download this Turkey visa application form and submit the application online to get your Tukey visa online for tourism.

Leave a comment below letting me know which of these Turkish dishes you’ve already sampled or if you have any other favorite Turkish dishes that weren’t included on this list.