Delicious Turkish Food to Try in Istanbul

This is an article entitled Delicious Turkish Food to Try in Istanbul

Oh Turkey, how I've missed you....r food!

If you have read my previous post on Turkey, you should know by now how deeply, madly, and crazily in love I am with Turkish food. It did not matter if I was dining at a posh restaurant or by the streets, I was constantly wowed by the mouthwatering flavors that came with the meals.

The following is a list of the food I've tried which I think is worthy of a mention, regardless of the price range:

Delicious Turkish Food to Try in Istanbul

 

Try the kebabs. ALL of them

There are at least 30 different types of kebabs available in Turkey. Whichever direction you turn to face, you will see the juiciest, fattest stacks of meat being roasted to perfection on vertical rotisseries. And the smell, oh the smell - you will find yourself dancing merrily amid the fragrance. Accompanied with fresh tomatoes, onions, parsley, french fries, and traditional homemade condiments, this overly common roadside snack is both delicious and cheap.

Price starts from 5TL

Döner kebab

Adana Kebap - with grilled vege, fries, rice, AND bread

Dürüm - this one from Dürümzade, as approved by Anthony Bourdain

Lamb plate

Islak Hamburgers

Also known as wet burgers, the Islak hamburgers are cheap, fast (readily prepared and incubated in glass-lined steamers), and very tasty. Burgers are dunked in some sort of a tomato-based sauce and then steamed in order to achieve that wet, warm and yummy outcome.

Price starts from 3TL

Islak burgers in Istanbul

Pide

Pide (pronounced pee-dE) comes with choices of toppings similar to those of pizzas, but its base is made using flat-bread and is baked in stone ovens.

Prices start from 3TL

My 15 TL pide. Still worth it.

 

 

Manti

My absolute favorite food in the whole of Turkey? Manti.
These little dumplings (also known as Turkish raviolis) are magical. Small sheets of dough wrappers are meticulously stuffed with the best spiced lamb/beef, and are either boiled or steamed. They are then graciously and generously topped with garlic yogurt, spice-infused olive oil, sumac, chili flakes (optional), and fresh mint leaves for that unreservedly delectable taste.

According to locals, the smaller the size of the manti, the more skillful the cook. It can also be used as an indicator for in-laws to gauge if a girl knows her way around the kitchen.

Prices start from 10TL

What I'd do to taste this again..

Turkish manti

Mozaik Pastası

Heading out for a cup of coffee? Order a slice of the Turkish mosaic cake as well! While it isn't really to my liking (too dry and hard IMO), this dessert is well-known throughout the country. If it has a rich texture and looks pretty in pictures, why not?

Price starts from 3TL

Turkish Mosaic Cake

Simit/Gevrek

These Turkish bagel-lookalikes are bread rings commonly encrusted with seeds of all kinds. It could be white or black sesames, poppy, flax, or my favorite - sunflower seeds. Available everywhere.

Price starts from 1TL

I always had one of these in my bag while traveling in Turkey

Turkish Ice-Cream

Nothing special, really, but soooo good when eaten under the hot, brutal Turkish sun. Remember to try these flavors: Pistachio, pomegranate, honey, or sade.

Price starts from 2TL

Ice-cream in Turkey

Midye Dolma

Introducing my next favorite food - Stuffed mussels. These mussels are filled with aromatic rice before being boiled in spiced broth. The vendor will squeeze a generous amount of lemon juice onto the rice before serving it. Simple, and so very delicious.

Price: 1TL/2 small mussels, 1TL/big mussel

Turkish mussels

Toasts and Sandwiches

The sandwiches that I've had in Asia are mostly pathetic (they taste and look so), which was why I never bothered ordering one while I was in Turkey. However, I've learned that they are a very common and popular choice of fast food here so I've decided to give them a try. I was hooked ever since. The panini-style toasts and thick salami slices are definitely worth the hype.

Prices starts from 3TL

Salami sandwich

Salami toast

Homemade Dishes

It isn't easy finding a stall selling homemade dishes, but the effort is worth it. They are definitely the most tasty, authentic, and (unusually) cheap.

Price starts at 2TL per dish

Pilav and an assortment of dishes

Desserts

No one is ever too full for dessert. Desserts in Turkey can be found on every street and coffee bar. I personally find that the desserts here are overly sweet, but thousands of other tourists beg to differ.

Price starts at 2T

Baklava in Turkey

Ekmek kadayıfı - I gave up after two bites. It's basically just sugar in a fancy shape.

There are many other delicious food to try in Turkey, so making time for it is a must!

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