Found last-minute deals to Turkey and wondering what to expect from your vacation? Sea, sun, and oriental flavor, but that's not all. Turkey is a paradise for gourmets, as the country has absorbed the best gastronomic traditions of Europe and Asia. And you're bound to fall in love with the local products at first sight. We have compiled a selection of Turkish culinary masterpieces that you must try during your trip. We almost forgot: everything has been tested firsthand.
Turkish breakfast
Let's start with the traditional breakfast that has made Turkey famous around the world. The first meal of the day provides energy for the whole day, and the locals know a thing or two about it. Different establishments offer different variations of breakfast, but it always includes:
- cheeses (goat, sheep, soft, hard, etc.);
- egg dishes (omelettes, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, etc.);
- vegetables (olives, tomatoes, cucumbers);
- clotted cream (thick cream that resembles butter);
- honey;
- jam;
- bread and other baked goods, including simit;
- adzhika;
- olive oil;
- spices;
- tea.
Sometimes chefs supplement the classic set with more modern dishes. This is how flatbread, chocolate spread, fruit, or pancakes end up on the table.
With a breakfast like this, you won't be hungry until lunch or even dinner. It has everything you need for a hearty meal, and the flavors are guaranteed to satisfy. Plus, feel free to mix and match the ingredients in any order and create new masterpieces. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with local cheeses, try menemen, which the locals rave about, and start your day with creamy kaymak on warm simit.
In Istanbul, I recommend going for a Turkish breakfast at Saade Kahvaltı. Prices here are slightly above average (650 TL per person + service charge), but you will get excellent quality and a bonus view of the Bosphorus or Hagia Sophia. All that's left is to buy plane tickets and get ready for your long-awaited trip.
Iskender kebab
Kebabs have become the country's calling card, and you can find them even in the most remote areas. We suggest you try Iskender kebab, which is popular not only in Turkey but also far beyond its borders.
The ingredients may raise doubts, but don't rush to give up on the idea of trying this dish. So what is Iskender kebab and what is it served with? On your plate, you will see a flatbread with thinly sliced meat and a generous portion of spicy sauce. Be sure to ask what kind of meat is used in the recipe: chicken, beef, or lamb. In addition, the meat and bread are complemented with fresh or pickled vegetables and yogurt. Turks are generous with meat, so you won't go hungry after eating Iskender kebab. And the fresh yogurt perfectly complements the spicy notes.
In Istanbul Hattad Döner , one serving cost 190 TL.
lahmajoun
Another meat dish in our selection is lahmacun. It is a thin crispy flatbread with minced meat, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. At first glance, this dish seems unremarkable and unlikely to surprise you, but once you break off the first piece, sprinkle it with lemon juice, and roll it up, we promise you won't regret it.
Please note that lahmacun is often prepared with various fillings: walnuts, cheese, mushrooms, etc. Ask about the portion size beforehand, as it varies depending on the establishment.
Where can you find first-class lahmacun? If you are in Istanbul, we recommend visiting Forno in the Balat district: a large portion will cost you around 180 TL. You can also try Italian pizza there.
Karnayarık
Don't be intimidated by this complex and difficult-to-pronounce name, because it refers to a simple and straightforward dish. After ordering, you will be served baked eggplant with meat, tomato sauce, spices, and cheese. The chefs prepare it so tender and soft that the flesh literally melts in your mouth, and the meat falls apart into fibers. The baked cheese forms a crispy crust and complements the already strong flavor of the dish.
By the way, Turkey is the perfect place for eggplant lovers. Here, chefs have mastered every possible way of preparing it: stewing, baking, frying, and even marinating. Be sure to try moussaka and an appetizer made from eggplant, potatoes, and yogurt, which became our unexpected favorite dish of the national cuisine.
But the best place to enjoy these masterpieces is at Lokantasi, a kind of canteen that is regularly frequented by locals. Believe me, Turks will not eat bad food or return to a low-quality establishment. Save to Istanbul maps Balkan Lokantasi with its substantial menu and reasonable prices.
Borek
We warn you in advance: resisting flour is useless in Turkey, and you shouldn't even try. But not trying borek is a real crime. Local bakers prepare puff pastries with various fillings early in the morning so that they can take them out of the oven when the shop opens and delight visitors with their signature flavors.
Unlike the more familiar sweet versions baked by our mothers and grandmothers, in Turkey they prefer savory ones: with cheese, potatoes, meat, spinach, and vegetables. The shape of borek also varies: you will find rectangular, square, and even snail-shaped pies.
Establishments specializing in borek and other baked goods are located throughout Istanbul, as locals are always ready to enjoy a hearty snack at any time. However, they recommend washing it down with only ayran. Trust us, this is one of the best simple combinations you will ever try.
If you visit Büyükada Island, head straight to Büyükada pastanesi and buy some eggplant borek (80 TL per serving), which is the most delicious you'll find in all of Istanbul. We recommend doing this as early as possible, because by lunchtime, the display case with the famous pies may already be empty.
But if you are a fan of sweet treats, you will easily find something to your liking at this establishment. For your first visit, we recommend the ay çöreği, a crescent-shaped pastry generously filled with cocoa, raisins, nuts, and cinnamon.
Balyk ekmek
Want to take a break from meat and standard shawarma? Then it's time to try balyk ekmek. This Turkish street food, consisting of fish wrapped in lavash bread, will not leave you indifferent. You will either fall in love with it immediately or realize that such experiments are not for you.
Inside the roll is fresh, boneless mackerel fillet, onion, tomatoes, spices, spicy sauce, and herbs. Balyk ekmek is very juicy, unlike meat doners and kebabs, and after grilling the lavash, it also becomes crispy.
While walking around Karakay, check out the world-famous Super Mario Emin Usta. A small portion costs around 135 TL, but if you're really hungry, go for a double or extra portion from the menu. By the way, we've already told you about balyk ekme here.
Stuffed mussels
Mussels stuffed with rice are a good snack option if you are walking around for a long time and it is still too early for a full meal. Open the shells, sprinkle them with lemon juice, and taste the spicy filling. By the way, to make sure you make the right choice, it's best to buy mussels at places that serve kokorech. But whether or not to add sauce is entirely up to you.
Kumpir
Missing cutlets and mashed potatoes? Don't panic, kumir is here to help. It's a large baked potato with hearty fillings that you choose yourself. First, the chef will mash the flesh with cheese and butter, and then it's up to you. You can choose from corn, peas, olives, cheese, sausages, vegetable mixes resembling salads, and sauces.
Every local knows that Ortaköy Kumpircisi makes the best kumpirs. But if you're walking around the Istiklal area, feel free to stop by Patatos and choose your potato toppings. By the way, there is no limit to the number of toppings you can choose. And for 260 TL, you can freely choose any option.
Turkish delight and baklava
These oriental delicacies are familiar even to those who have never been to Turkey. Lokum is made from starch, molasses, and sugar. However, the flavors can be very diverse: pomegranate, mint, nuts, rose petals, fruits, etc. In addition, markets and shops offer not only square candies, but also round rolls with nuts, nougat, nut paste, or berries. Be sure to try both types of Turkish delight and pick up a few flavors as souvenirs.
Baklava is a famous dessert made from puff pastry with nuts and dried fruit, generously soaked in honey or sugar syrup. Have you already decided which one to choose: with walnuts, cocoa, pistachios, in the shape of a snail, a roll, a crescent, a tube, or a rectangle? Your eyes will be dazzled by the variety of choices. Be careful: it's very sweet, but it's hard to resist the temptation to try real baklava.
For decent Turkish delight, head to the Grand Bazaar or a traditional shop. Uc Yildiz. For baklava, head to Safa or Hafiz Mustafa 1864.
Ice cream
In Turkey, they prepare gelato and dondurma. Dondurma is a local thick version of the dessert with added sugar, salep, and goat's milk. However, do not assume that vendors will simply hand you the coveted cone with the treat. They will put on a real show with tricks and special effects, where you will be the main character.
A worthy recommendation — Meşhur Dondurmacı Ali Usta on the Asian side. The variety of flavors and generous portions will delight you in the scorching heat. Be prepared to pay 70 TL for one scoop.
