10 Amazing Turkish Food You Must Taste on Your Visit

Turkey Turkey is a paradise for food lovers. Turkish food offers a rich tapestry of flavors and textures, from savory kebabs to sweet baklava. If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, make sure to indulge in these 10 amazing dishes. Each section will introduce you to a delightful dish, its ingredients, how to cook it at home, and the top 3 restaurants in Turkey where you can savor it.

10 Amazing Turkish Food You Need to Try

1. Turkish Kebabs

Kebabs are one of the most famous Turkish foods. There are many types of kebabs, including shish kebabs, Adana kebabs, and doner kebabs. The basic ingredients include marinated meat (usually lamb or beef), peppers, onions, and spices like cumin and paprika.

How to Cook Kebabs at Home

1. 1. Marinate the Meat: Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the meat and let it marinate for at least two hours.

1. 1. Skewer and Grill: Thread the meat and vegetables onto skewers and grill them over medium-high heat until cooked through.

1. 1. Serve: Enjoy with rice, pita bread, and a side of yogurt sauce.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Kebabs

1. 1. Zübeyir Ocakbaşı in Istanbul: Famous for its perfectly grilled shish kebabs.

1. 1. Şehzade Erzurum Cağ Kebabı in Istanbul: Known for its traditional Erzurum-style kebabs.

1. 1. Gaziantep Burç Ocakbaşı in Gaziantep: Offers a variety of authentic kebabs.

2. Baklava

Baklava is a sweet pastry made of layers of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It’s a must-try Turkish food, especially for those with a sweet tooth.

How to Cook Baklava at Home

1. 1. Prepare the Syrup: Boil sugar, water, and lemon juice until it thickens.

1. 1. Layer the Filo Dough: Brush each layer with melted butter and sprinkle with chopped nuts.

1. 1. Bake: Bake until golden brown, then pour the syrup over the hot baklava.

1. 1. Cool and Serve: Let it cool before serving.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Baklava

1. 1. Karaköy Güllüoğlu in Istanbul: A historic bakery known for its delicious baklava.

1. 1. Hafiz Mustafa 1864 in Istanbul: Offers a wide range of baklava varieties.

1. 1. Koçak Baklava in Gaziantep: Renowned for its high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes.

3. Manti

Manti are Turkish dumplings filled with spiced meat, usually lamb or beef, and served with yogurt and garlic sauce. They are a beloved Turkish food, perfect for a hearty meal.

How to Cook Manti at Home

1. 1. Make the Dough: Combine flour, water, salt, and eggs to form a dough. Roll it out and cut it into small squares.

1. 1. Prepare the Filling: Mix ground meat with onions, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Fill and Cook: Place a small amount of filling in each dough square, fold, and seal. Boil until cooked.

1. 1. Serve: Top with yogurt, garlic sauce, and melted butter with paprika.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Manti

1. 1. Casita in Istanbul: Offers a modern twist on traditional manti.

1. 1. Hünkar Lokantası in Istanbul: Known for its authentic flavors.

1. 1. Kayseri Sofrası in Kayseri: Specializes in Kayseri-style manti.

4. Meze

Meze is a selection of small dishes served as appetizers. It includes a variety of Turkish foods like hummus, ezme (spicy tomato salad), and haydari (yogurt dip).

How to Prepare Meze at Home

1. 1. Hummus: Blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil.

1. 1. Ezme: Finely chop tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Mix with parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices.

1. 1. Haydari: Mix yogurt with garlic, dill, and mint.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Meze

1. 1. Meze By Lemon Tree in Istanbul: Famous for its creative and delicious meze.

1. 1. Çiya Sofrası in Istanbul: Offers a wide variety of traditional meze.

1. 1. Agora Meyhanesi in Izmir: Known for its lively atmosphere and excellent meze.

5. Lahmacun

Lahmacun is often referred to as Turkish pizza. It consists of a thin dough topped with a mixture of minced meat, onions, tomatoes, and spices.

How to Cook Lahmacun at Home

1. 1. Prepare the Dough: Mix flour, water, salt, and yeast. Let it rise.

1. 1. Make the Topping: Combine minced meat with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and spices.

1. 1. Assemble and Bake: Spread the topping on the dough and bake until crispy.

1. 1. Serve: Roll it up with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Lahmacun

1. 1. Halil Lahmacun in Istanbul: Known for its crispy and flavorful lahmacun.

1. 1. Fıstık Kebap Lahmacun in Gaziantep: Offers a variety of toppings.

1. 1. Borsam Taşfırın in Istanbul: Famous for its traditional preparation methods.

6. Pide

Pide is another popular Turkish food, often compared to pizza. It is a boat-shaped flatbread topped with various ingredients like cheese, eggs, and minced meat.

How to Cook Pide at Home

1. 1. Prepare the Dough: Mix flour, water, salt, and yeast. Let it rise.

1. 1. Make the Filling: Combine your choice of toppings like cheese, spinach, or minced meat.

1. 1. Assemble and Bake: Shape the dough into a boat, add the filling, and bake until golden.

1. 1. Serve: Enjoy hot, straight from the oven.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Pide

1. 1. Fatih Karadeniz Pidecisi in Istanbul: Renowned for its Black Sea-style pide.

1. 1. Kumrucu İso in Izmir: Offers a variety of innovative toppings.

1. 1. Bafra Pidecisi in Ankara: Known for its traditional recipes.

7. Dolma

Dolma refers to stuffed vegetables, such as peppers, tomatoes, and grape leaves. The stuffing typically includes rice, pine nuts, and spices.

How to Cook Dolma at Home

1. 1. Prepare the Vegetables: Hollow out peppers, and tomatoes, or prepare grape leaves.

1. 1. Make the Filling: Mix rice with onions, pine nuts, currants, and spices.

1. 1. Stuff and Cook: Fill the vegetables with the rice mixture and simmer in a pot with water and olive oil.

1. 1. Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Dolma

1. 1. Mikla in Istanbul: Offers gourmet versions of traditional dolma.

1. 1. Çiya Sofrası in Istanbul: Known for its authentic and diverse dolma.

1. 1. Karaköy Lokantası in Istanbul: Famous for its delicious and tender dolma.

8. Menemen

Menemen is a popular Turkish breakfast dish made with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, and spices. It’s a simple yet flavorful Turkish food.

How to Cook Menemen at Home

1. 1. Prepare the Vegetables: Dice tomatoes and green peppers.

1. 1. Cook the Vegetables: Sauté the vegetables in olive oil until soft.

1. 1. Add the Eggs: Beat the eggs and pour them into the pan. Cook until set.

1. 1. Serve: Enjoy with fresh bread.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Menemen

1. 1. Van Kahvaltı Evi in Istanbul: Known for its delicious breakfast spread, including menemen.

1. 1. Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu in Istanbul: Offers a hearty and flavorful menemen.

1. 1. Kale Café in Bodrum: Famous for its picturesque setting and tasty menemen.

9. Köfte

Köfte are Turkish meatballs made with ground meat, onions, bread crumbs, and spices. They are a staple in Turkish food cuisine.

How to Cook Köfte at Home

1. 1. Prepare the Mixture: Mix ground meat with finely chopped onions, bread crumbs, parsley, and spices.

1. 1. Shape and Cook: Form the mixture into meatballs and cook them on a grill or in a pan.

1. 1. Serve: Enjoy with rice, salad, and yogurt sauce.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Köfte

1. 1. Sultanahmet Köftecisi in Istanbul: Famous for its traditional köfte.

1. 1. Tarihi Merkezefendi Köftecisi in Istanbul: Known for its juicy and flavorful köfte.

1. 1. Filibe Köftecisi in Istanbul: Offers a variety of köfte dishes.

10- Simit

Simit is a popular Turkish street food. It’s a circular bread encrusted with sesame seeds, often enjoyed with tea or cheese.

How to Cook Simit at Home

1. 1. Prepare the Dough: Mix flour, water, salt, sugar, and yeast. Let it rise.

1. 1. Shape and Dip: Form the dough into rings, dip it in a mixture of molasses and water, and then coat it with sesame seeds.

1. 1. Bake: Bake until golden brown.

1. 1. Serve: Enjoy with a cup of Turkish tea.

Top 3 Restaurants in Turkey for Simit

1. 1. Simit Sarayı in Istanbul: A popular chain offering fresh and delicious simit.

1. 1. Galata Simitçisi in Istanbul: Known for its traditional and flavorful simit.

1. 1. Çıtır Simit in Ankara: Offers a variety of simit options.

Conclusion

Embark on a delicious journey through Turkey with World Trip Deal! Exploring Turkish food is a wonderful way to dive into Turkey’s rich culture and heritage. Imagine savoring savory kebabs and köfte or indulging in sweet baklava – there’s something to delight every taste bud.

Whether you decide to try cooking these dishes at home or prefer to visit the top restaurants in Turkey, you’re in for a treat. Make sure to taste these 10 amazing Turkish foods on your next visit!

Why wait? Book now, pay later! With World Trip Deal, planning your trip is hassle-free, and paying is even easier. You can spread the cost with interest-free installments on flights, hotels, packages, and more. Plus, enjoy frequent travel deals to over 70 destinations worldwide. Bon appétit!