Anvi
Nidhi Staff answered 6 months ago
Here are some traditional Turkish dishes you must try during your visit, along with details on their preparation, where to eat them, and suggested pairings:
Kebabs (Kebap)
Types: Adana Kebab, Urfa Kebab, İskender Kebab
Preparation: Made with seasoned ground meat (usually lamb or beef), skewered, and grilled over an open flame. İskender Kebab includes slices of döner meat topped with tomato sauce and yogurt, served on pita bread.
Where to Eat: Kebapçi İskender in Bursa, Develi Kebap in Istanbul
Pair With: Ayran (a cold yogurt drink) or Şalgam (fermented turnip juice)
Mezes (Appetizers)
Types: Hummus, Ezme, Cacık, Dolma
Preparation: A variety of small dishes served as appetizers. Hummus is made from blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Cacık is a yogurt-based dish with cucumber and garlic.
Where to Eat: Meze by Lemon Tree in Istanbul, Meyhanes (traditional Turkish taverns)
Pair With: Rakı (anise-flavored alcoholic drink) or wine
Manti (Turkish Dumplings)
Preparation: Small dumplings filled with ground meat, usually lamb, served with a garlicky yogurt sauce and melted butter infused with paprika.
Where to Eat: Manti Evi in Istanbul, Bodrum Manti in Istanbul
Pair With: Ayran or a light red wine
Pide (Turkish Pizza)
Types: Kiymali Pide (with ground meat), Peynirli Pide (with cheese)
Preparation: Boat-shaped flatbread topped with a variety of ingredients such as cheese, ground meat, or vegetables, then baked in a stone oven.
Where to Eat: Fatih Karadeniz Pidecisi in Istanbul, Pideban in Istanbul
Pair With: Ayran or tea
Baklava
Preparation: Layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.
Where to Eat: Karaköy Güllüoğlu in Istanbul, Hafız Mustafa in Istanbul
Pair With: Turkish coffee or tea
Lahmacun
Preparation: A thin, round piece of dough topped with minced meat, vegetables, and herbs, then baked.
Where to Eat: Halil Lahmacun in Istanbul, Fıstık Kebap Lahmacun in Gaziantep
Pair With: Ayran or Şalgam
Köfte (Meatballs)
Types: İzmir Köfte, İçli Köfte
Preparation: Made from minced meat (often beef or lamb), mixed with herbs and spices, shaped into balls or patties, and grilled or fried. İçli Köfte is a type of stuffed meatball with a bulgur shell.
Where to Eat: Sultanahmet Köftecisi in Istanbul, Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi in Istanbul
Pair With: Ayran or tea
Dolma and Sarma
Types: Stuffed grape leaves, stuffed peppers
Preparation: Vegetables like grape leaves, peppers, or zucchini stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes meat.
Where to Eat: Ciya Sofrası in Istanbul, Hacı Abdullah Lokantası in Istanbul
Pair With: Ayran or wine
Menemen
Preparation: A traditional Turkish breakfast dish made with eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, and spices, cooked in olive oil.
Where to Eat: Van Kahvaltı Evi in Istanbul, Lades Menemen in Istanbul
Pair With: Turkish tea or fresh orange juice
Turkish Delight (Lokum)
Preparation: A confection made from starch and sugar, often flavored with rosewater, lemon, or mastic, and dusted with powdered sugar or coconut.
Where to Eat: Hacı Bekir in Istanbul, Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir in Istanbul
Pair With: Turkish coffee or tea
Enjoy your culinary journey through Turkey!
raman Staff answered 4 months ago
Here are some popular Turkish dishes that you should try:
1. Kebabs
Adana Kebab: Spicy minced meat, usually lamb, grilled on skewers.
Şiş Kebab: Cubes of meat (often lamb or chicken) grilled on skewers.
2. Mezes
Hummus: A creamy blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
Ezme: A spicy, finely chopped salad made from tomatoes, onions, peppers, and parsley.
Dolma: Grape leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts, and spices.
3. Pide
A Turkish flatbread that comes with various toppings such as cheese, minced meat, or vegetables, often referred to as “Turkish pizza.”
4. Lahmacun
A thin, crispy dough topped with minced meat, herbs, and spices, typically rolled up with fresh vegetables and lemon juice.
5. Manti
Small dumplings filled with spiced meat, served with yogurt and a sauce made from melted butter, garlic, and red pepper.
6. Köfte
Meatballs made from minced meat (usually lamb or beef), mixed with spices and herbs, and often grilled or fried.
7. Börek
A savory pastry made from thin layers of dough, filled with cheese, spinach, or meat.
8. Iskender Kebab
Sliced döner kebab served over pieces of pita bread, topped with tomato sauce, melted butter, and yogurt.
9. Kumpir
Baked potatoes stuffed with various fillings such as cheese, sausage, corn, olives, and more.
10. Baklava
A sweet dessert made from layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup.
11. Turkish Delight (Lokum)
A chewy, sweet confection flavored with rosewater, lemon, or other flavors, often containing nuts or dried fruit.
12. Simit
A sesame-crusted bread ring, often eaten as a snack or for breakfast.
13. Menemen
A traditional Turkish breakfast dish made with eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, and spices, cooked in olive oil.
14. Turkish Coffee
A strong and aromatic coffee served in small cups, often accompanied by a piece of Turkish delight.
15. Rakı
An anise-flavored spirit often enjoyed with meze and considered the national drink of Turkey.
These dishes offer a glimpse into the rich and diverse culinary traditions of Turkey. Enjoy exploring the flavors!