1. Simit – The Turkish Bagel 🥯

What it is: A circular bread with a crispy sesame-coated crust.
Why try it: It's Turkey’s most iconic street snack, often sold by vendors on the street. Crunchy on the outside and soft inside — perfect with Turkish tea for a quick breakfast or snack.

2. Menemen – Turkish Scrambled Eggs 🍳

What it is: Eggs cooked in a sizzling pan with tomatoes, peppers, and olive oil (sometimes with cheese).
Why try it: It’s the ultimate Turkish comfort food. Light, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast or brunch with crusty bread to dip.

3. Kebap – More Than Just Kebab 🍢

What it is: A variety of grilled meat dishes, the most famous being Adana (spicy minced meat) and Şiş (skewered cubes).
Why try it: Turkish kebap is juicy, spiced just right, and often served with rice, grilled vegetables, and flatbread.

4. Meze – A Feast of Small Plates 🧆

What it is: A spread of cold or warm appetizers like hummus, ezme (spicy tomato salad), haydari (yogurt dip), and stuffed grape leaves.
Why try it: The best way to sample a variety of flavors — ideal for sharing, especially over a glass of rakı.

5. Lahmacun – Turkish Pizza 🍕

What it is: A thin, crispy flatbread topped with spiced minced meat, onions, and herbs.
Why try it: It’s cheap, delicious, and super satisfying. Add a squeeze of lemon and wrap it up with parsley and onions.

6. Dolma – Stuffed Vegetables 🍃

What it is: Vegetables like peppers, zucchini, or vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes meat.
Why try it: A classic in Turkish home cooking, dolma is healthy, flavorful, and vegetarian-friendly.

7. Çiğ Köfte – Spicy Bulgur Patties 🌶️

What it is: Traditionally raw meat, but now often a vegetarian mix of bulgur, spices, and tomato paste, shaped into finger-sized pieces.
Why try it: It’s packed with flavor and served cold in a wrap with lettuce and pomegranate molasses. A must-try on our vegetarian food tour in Istanbul!

8. Kumpir – The Ultimate Stuffed Potato 🥔

What it is: A baked potato loaded with butter, cheese, and your choice of toppings like olives, corn, pickles, and sausage.
Why try it: It’s street food heaven — hearty, customizable, and perfect after a day of sightseeing.

9. Baklava – Sweet Layers of Heaven 🍯

What it is: Layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in syrup or honey.
Why try it: It’s the dessert of Turkey. Buttery, crunchy, sweet — no visit is complete without a bite (or three).

10. Turkish Delight (Lokum) – A Classic Treat 🍬

What it is: Soft, chewy candy made of sugar and starch, often flavored with rosewater, lemon, or pistachios.
Why try it: It’s a centuries-old tradition and makes for a sweet souvenir. Try it fresh at a specialty shop like Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir in Istanbul.

Bonus: Want to Taste It All?

Join our food tour in Kadıköy (Asian side of Istanbul) to discover these dishes and more, guided by a local expert. You’ll eat where locals eat, avoid tourist traps, and learn the stories behind the flavors.

👉 Book your spot now at www.foodprint.tours

Turkey is a food lover’s dream. Come hungry, leave happy — and let your taste buds guide your trip. 🍴🇹🇷