Turkish Delights: A Tantalizing Tour of Must-Try Foods!
A country bridging Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, Türkiye is known not only for its rich history and breathtaking landscapes, but also for its vibrant culinary scene. Drawing influence from Mediterranean, Balkan, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Eastern European cuisines, Turkish food is a delicious symphony of flavours! From bulgur to baklava and kebabs to kunefe, Turkish food is one of the most diverse and delectable cuisines in the world, and promises to leave a lasting impression.
Although kebabs and lamb-based dishes are prominent in Turkish cuisine, the food across Türkiye varies by region. The western parts of Türkiye are known for their olive-oil-based dishes, the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Marmamra regions are known for their abundance in fish and vegetables, and the Central Anatolia regions is known for its specialities like manti and gözleme. Regardless of the region you visit, be prepared to embark on a culinary adventure like nowhere else!
Here is a list of ten, must-try foods in Türkiye that are sure to satisfy the foodie in you!
Meze
Mezes are one of the most important parts of Turkish cuisine. Mezes typically consist of several appetizer-sized dishes such as yogurt, dips, cheese, and bread. A classic meze is incomplete without hummus, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), ezme (spicy tomato dip), and haydari (yogurt dip). This common dish is served at almost all restaurants and food-joints in Türkiye. Some restaurants even serve a small complimentary meze at every table – usually one or two dips with some bread. A simple, yet flavourful dish, meze is a must-try when in Türkiye.
Turkish Lentil Soup
My favourite dish during my trip to Türkiye was this simple yet delicious lentil soup. Mercimek Çorbası or Turkish lentil soup is a creamy, velvety soup made with red lentils, tomato paste and spices. Served at almost every restaurant in Türkiye, this warm, comforting dish will nourish your body and soul. I ordered this soup at almost every dinner in Türkiye, as the weather was quite cold. My recommendation is to generously squeeze some lemon juice in your soup and dip some bread in it and enjoy!
Manti
Manti consists of small, boiled dumplings made with pasta-like dough, served with a creamy, garlicky, yogurt sauce. Though the combination of pasta and yogurt may seem weird, the warm, pillowy dumplings and the refreshing yogurt sauce complement each other very well. It is a nice, comforting dish to enjoy when you want to eat something light. Manti is another dish which can be found at most restaurants in Türkiye. My favourite was the one that I tried at Cösta Karaköy Hotel – this was also my first meal in Türkiye!
Simit
One common snack that you will find almost everywhere in Türkiye is Simit – a ring-shaped bread covered with sesame seeds. When in Istanbul, I saw vendors selling these in food-carts in almost every part of the city! Simit is a crunchy and chewy snack, typically served with a cheese or chocolate filling, or just plain, without any filling. I decided to try one on a cold, rainy morning in Istanbul, and I absolutely loved it! You can also try one with some Turkish tea or coffee – a quick, light breakfast.
Gözleme
Gözleme is a savory Turkish flatbread that consists of different types of fillings like meat, vegetables, egg or cheese. I tried a gözleme for the first time at a restaurant in Cappadocia – I ordered one with a potato filling. The moment I took a bite, I was instantly hit with nostalgia, as the dish reminded me of our beloved aloo paratha! Gözleme is much like a stuffed paratha, the only difference being that gözleme is made with a very thin sheet of dough. This was one of my favourite dishes that I tried in Türkiye.
Balik Dürüm
If you are a seafood lover, you absolutely must try balik dürüm – a wrap consisting of grilled fish (typically mackerel) and some veggies. Balik dürüm is a common street food sold in several regions of Türkiye, the most popular being the Galata area of Istanbul. I tried one at Galata Fish Mekan in Karaköy – this place had the best reviews online, so I decided to check it out. It is a small joint with very few tables, but the food will not disappoint. I would highly recommend you all to try this place if you are in this area. The calamari that I tried here was also some of the best that I have ever had!
Testi Kebab
Testi Kebab is a dish native to the Cappadocia region of Türkiye. Also known as pottery kebab, this dish consists of marinated meat, onions, tomatoes, and garlic, cooked and served in a clay pot. You can enjoy testi kebab with either bread or rice. Although this dish was invented in Cappadocia, it can be found at several restaurants across Türkiye. If you visit Cappadocia, this dish is a must-try. Göreme Restaurant in Göreme, Cappadocia, is said to have invented testi kebab. The restaurant has a nice, cozy vibe, and the food is amazing!
Baklava
Saving the best for last! A trip to Türkiye would be incomplete if you don’t try baklava, at least once! Baklava is a dessert made from layers of filo pastry which is soaked in honey or sugar syrup, and filled with chopped nuts, like pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts. All across Türkiye, you fill find countless number of shops selling baklava. My favourite was the one I tried at Osmanlizadeler 1879 in Karaköy, Istanbul. This shop has a wide variety of Turkish sweets to choose from. I also tried their chocolate baklava which I tried and really liked. If you visit Karaköy area, be sure to stop by this place.
Turkish cuisine is one of the best in the world, and the variety of sweet and savoury delicacies will surely amaze you. Whether it is the simple and nutritious lentil soup or the rich and decadent baklava, you will definitely be carrying these flavours with you back home!