Although Türkiye's culinary scene offers a diverse range of local and foreign establishments, Turkish street food is also delicious and interesting! Street food culture is a prevalent and common thread of everyday life in Istanbul and the rest of the country. On the streets of Türkiye, you can always find something tasty to eat, from snacks to whole meals.
While different types of street food are popular in different places, the most popular street food, such as simit, can be found almost anywhere in Turkey. So, if you're in a hurry or simply want to appreciate the bustling street life in Türkiye's cities, stop and grab a wonderful local snack!
Here is a quick overview to the most popular street foods in Türkiye.
Simit
Simit is a crunchy, circular bread sprinkled with sesame seeds that is a veritable legend among Turkish favourites. The aroma of freshly baked simit is something to appreciate and treasure. It is well known that the delightful aroma of this street pleasure makes it difficult for locals to resist. It's delicious on its own or stuffed with cheese and a cup of hot tea. In the afternoons, many people enjoy it with a glass of ayran, a popular salted yoghurt drink. It's also popular because it's inexpensive and vegan-friendly. Many people in Istanbul share this delectable food with seagulls as they cross the Bosphorus on the ferry.
Balık-ekmek
Balk-ekmek is a popular fish sandwich and one of Turkey's most popular street meals, best savoured on Istanbul's shores of Karaköy or Eminönü. Passers-by are drawn in by the inviting aroma of a fresh loaf of bread topped with warm, grilled fish, fresh greens, and onions. It's inexpensive, nutritious, and delicious - and the flavour stays in your mouth!
Kumpir
Kumpir is the perfect baked potato, with a plethora of topping options. Without a doubt, this delectable snack makes a significant contribution to the many ways to enjoy potatoes. Following the addition of butter, you are presented with a plethora of other topping options. There's no limitation to how many you can pile on top of one other! Sausage, pickles, sweetcorn, and olives are among the toppings. It's almost certain that you'll return again and again to test a new flavour combination. Ortaköy is the most famous neighbourhood in Istanbul for enjoying this delicacy.
Döner
Döner is one of the world's most well-known Turkish delicacies. Meat is seasoned with suet, local herbs, and spices, skewered on a spit, and cooked vertically before being served as a dürüm (wrap) or a sandwich. Originally, lamb was used to make döner kebap. It is now produced with a combination of lamb and beef, only beef, or even only chicken.
Kestane kebap
Kestane kebap, or roasted chestnuts, are delectable street snacks that signal the arrival of winter. Their aroma is strong enough to make you turn around and head straight for the chestnuts roasting slowly over the coals. When winter arrives, you may find a chestnut vendor on practically every corner in almost every Turkish city.
Midye dolma
Midye dolma, or stuffed mussels, is another tempting street delicacy found in coastal locales, particularly in Istanbul and İzmir. The mussels are stuffed with unique rice, onions, currants, and spices. Don't be surprised if you find yourself squeezing a lot of lemon on the mussel on the side of a street counter. You might not be able to stop once you start! The flavours are really addictive. Many locals are known to consume up to 100 in one sitting!
Kokoreç
Kokoreç is a chargrilled skewered sheep's intestines served in half or a quarter of a bread loaf with a generous amount of fat and salt. It's the most popular street meal among meat lovers!
Tavuklu pilav
Tavuklu pilav is an excellent alternative if you're in a rush and want something quick to eat. It is produced simply by layering boiling chicken pieces on top of simple rice pilaf, a must-have side dish in traditional Turkish cuisine. This one-of-a-kind combination also includes boiled chickpeas. A tumbler of ayran and a platter of pickles are excellent accompaniments. Vendors selling tavuklu pilav in glass-covered carts may be found all throughout the town.
Turşu suyu
Turşu suyu (pickle juice) has a strong flavour and is served in glasses with little chunks of chopped pickles. This one-of-a-kind flavour will have you hooked in no time! It has a salty and sour flavour and is widely available at mobile stalls, bazaars, and markets.
Çiğ köfte dürüm
Çiğ köfte dürüm consists of bulgur patties wrapped in paper-thin lavaş bread and topped with fresh greens. Aficionados frequently add a generous amount of lemon and pomegranate syrup, as well as ayran. Köfte can be found practically anywhere in Turkey. Traditionally, this dish was made with raw beef, but this is no longer the case. However, if you are concerned, please do not hesitate to inquire!
Lahmacun
Lahmacun is a thin, crispy flatbread baked in a stone oven with spicy minced lamb. It's commonly served as a wrap with parsley and lemon.
Tantuni
Tantuni is originally from Mersin, however, you can find this incredibly excellent delicacy almost anywhere in Türkiye. It's cooked with a unique combination of chopped meat and parsley, tomatoes, green peppers, and onions, and it's wrapped in a warm flatbread or sandwiched between half a loaf of fresh white bread. Tantuni is an excellent way to quickly fill your stomach! Tantuni is often served with şalgam, a spicy fermented purple carrot and turnip drink, with pickles on the side.
Islak hamburger
The Islak hamburger is a straightforward burger with a garlicky flavour and a buttery tomato sauce that accounts for the luscious texture and sponginess of the bun.
Mısır
Mısır (corn) is a portable food offered by street vendors that is generally a summer favourite due to the region's growing season. Köz Mısıris grilled corn on the cob, while süt Mısır is boiling corn kernels, both of which are dusted with salt.
Börek
Börek is a flaky pastry that is frequently packed with cheese and serves as a quick and delightful breakfast on the run.
Sokak poğaçası
Sokak poğaçası is a palm-sized bun that can be filled or not. It is also available in bakeries.
Kağıt helva
Kağıt helva is a crunchy wafer with a sweet condensed milk filling.
Buzlu badem
Buzlu badem (fresh almonds on ice) is one of the tastiest and most refreshing streets treats, particularly in the oppressive summer heat. Fresh almonds are blanched or boiled in hot water before being peeled and served on ice. Vendors commonly stop at tables and restaurants to sell their items to clients. This fresh nibble is a street cuisine that you would come across while strolling around the city streets in the evening.
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