The best street foods in Turkey

Turkey is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and beautiful landscapes. However, the country’s culinary scene is equally fascinating and has a lot to offer. Turkish cuisine is known for its use of spices, fresh ingredients, and rich flavours. One of the best ways to explore the country’s cuisine is by trying its street food. Here are some of the best street foods to try in Turkey:

Döner kebab is a classic Turkish street food that has become popular around the world. Thin slices of seasoned meat are stacked on a vertical rotisserie and slowly roasted until tender and juicy. The meat is then sliced off and served in a warm pita or bread with tomatoes, onions, and a tangy yogurt sauce.

Simit is a type of circular bread that is commonly eaten for breakfast in Turkey. It’s similar to a bagel, but denser and crunchier. The bread is coated in sweet molasses syrup and sesame seeds, giving it a unique flavour and texture. Simit is often enjoyed with cheese or jam.

Lahmacun is a thin, crispy flatbread topped with seasoned ground meat and vegetables. It’s often served as a snack or appetizer and is best eaten hot and fresh. Lahmacun is usually rolled up with fresh herbs and lemon juice and eaten like a wrap.

Börek is a savoury pastry made with layers of thin phyllo dough and filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables. It can be fried or baked and is often served as a snack or breakfast food. Börek comes in many varieties and is a popular street food in Turkey.

Kokoreç is a popular Turkish street food made from seasoned lamb intestines. The intestines are threaded onto a skewer and grilled over hot coals until crispy and golden. The meat is then sliced off and served in a warm pita with tomatoes, onions, and a spicy sauce. Kokoreç is a unique and flavorful street food that’s not for everyone, but those who love it swear by it.

Midye dolma is a simple but delicious street food that’s popular all over Turkey. It’s made from mussels that are stuffed with rice, herbs, and spices and then steamed until tender. The mussels are usually served with a wedge of lemon and make for a tasty and satisfying snack.

Kumpir is a hearty baked potato that’s stuffed with a variety of toppings. Customers can choose from options like cheese, butter, sour cream, pickles, olives,

Lahmacun is a type of Turkish pizza that is made with thin, crispy dough and topped with minced meat, vegetables, and spices. The meat is often lamb or beef, and the vegetables can include onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Lahmacun is usually served with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley.

Balık ekmek is a popular street food in Istanbul that consists of grilled fish served in a bread roll. The fish is often mackerel or sea bass, and it is grilled to perfection before being served with lettuce, onions, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Balık ekmek is a must-try for seafood lovers visiting Istanbul.

Kokoreç is a traditional Turkish street food that is made from lamb intestines. The intestines are cleaned, seasoned with herbs and spices, and then grilled over hot coals. The meat is often served in a bread roll with tomatoes, onions, and parsley. Kokoreç is not for the faint of heart, but it is a delicacy that many Turkish people swear by.

Gözleme is a type of Turkish flatbread that is filled with a variety of ingredients, including cheese, spinach, and meat. The bread is rolled out thinly and then folded over the filling before being cooked on a griddle. Gözleme is often served as a snack or a light meal and is a popular street food in Turkey.

Midye dolma is a type of stuffed mussel that is popular in coastal areas of Turkey. The mussels are filled with a mixture of rice, herbs, and spices before being steamed or baked. Midye dolma is usually served as a snack or an appetizer and is often eaten with a squeeze of lemon juice.

Tantuni is a type of Turkish wrap that is filled with thinly sliced beef or lamb, onions, and tomatoes. The meat is often seasoned with herbs and spices before being cooked on a griddle. Tantuni is usually served with a variety of toppings, including lettuce, parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice.