Turkish breakfastIf specialists say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Turkish people definitely took that advice really seriously. Kahvalti, as the locals call it, is all about bread, several kinds of cheese, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, jam, honey and tea. This lavish spread is not only satisfying sight for eyes but it surely is a healthy and tasty combination of food. |
SimitSimit is a circular Turkish bread encrusted with sesame seeds usually filled with cheese (peynir). It is easily available in streets and roads usually being sold at very low prices. Its a common breakfast for millions of people in Istanbul. |
DurumDurum is a wrap that is usually filled with typical döner kebab ingredients. The wrap is made from lavash or yufka flatbreads.You can literally find it everywhere: streets, cheap restaurants, fancy restaurants… |
Doner KebapDoner kebab is a Turkish dish made of meat cooked on a vertical skewer. The most common meat to make döner is lamb, but you can also find a mixture of vegetables and veal, chicken or beef. The dish is also known by its Arabic name “shawarma” or the Greek name “gyros”. Doner is a sandwich version so the the meat is generally served with tomato, onions, pickled cucumber and chili – sometimes also comes with fries inside |
Icli KofteThis food is made of bulgur, minced onions and finely ground lean beef, lamb or goat, spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove. The word is derived from the Arabic kubbah or kibbeh, which means “ball” |
Balik ekmekA fresh fish sandwich which usually served with salad and lemon juice as a side. It is one of the most loved food of Istanbul residents. The fish is from Bosphorus and is usually grilled to make it tastier. |
KokorecThis dish may shock some but it’s a delight for many. Consists mainly of the intestines from lamb or goat, seasoned with lemon, olive oil, oregano, salt, pepper, chopped on top of a bread. This is widely appreciated in Turkey and you can find places like Sampiyon Kokorec to be trustworthy |
LahmacunThis real simple meal, called by some “Turkish Pizza”, Lahmacun is basically a thin dough, topped with a minced meat-onion-red pepper mixture, baked in the oven for a few minutes and served hot. You can make a wrap of it putting tomatoes, parsley and lemon juice inside... |
Midye DolmaMussels stuffed with spiced rice! Best places to try them are next to the sea accompanied with a beer. Sold by piece! |
MantiYou could think of manti as some kind of dumplings. This excellent Turkish dish contains two main ingredients: the dough and the filling, which consists of ground beef or lamb, onion, salt and pepper. Always accompanied by yoğurt! |