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Top 10 Local Foods in Istanbul You Must Try

By OsamaIn Explore Cities, IstanbulPosted
Top 10 Local Foods in Istanbul You Must Try

Would you like to experience the most delicious foods in Istanbul and discover the best Turkish food in this wonderful city? Turkish cuisine offers distinctive dishes, and it is quite similar to Levantine cuisine as they share many common elements. It is also well known that Levantine cuisine contains some of the most delicious foods in the region and the world.

Join us in this article to learn about special Turkish meals in Istanbul that you should not miss when you set foot there.

 

Features of Turkish Food

Turkish cuisine reflects part of Turkish culture and history. Food in Turkey has historical roots and is connected to the geography and environment, which gives it this important cultural richness.

Turkish cuisine includes many delicious dishes made with rich ingredients and lots of spices. However, Turkish meals are characterized by balance in the use of spices, herbs, and various ingredients, making them suitable for different tastes around the world.

Lamb, chicken, and fish are the primary ingredients in Turkish meals in Istanbul and elsewhere. Vegetables also play a significant role in these dishes, especially tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplant. Turks are fond of pastries, and you’ll find many meals for lunch and breakfast made with meat or cheese pastries, among other fillings.

The Turks have their own special meals for holidays and various occasions, such as weddings.

10 Local Dishes in Istanbul You Must Try

Turkish Kebab

Turkish kebab is one of the most famous dishes in Istanbul and throughout Turkey. It is the most requested meal by restaurantgoers in Istanbul. It is a delicious, protein-rich dish, packed with great ingredients and spices, particularly black pepper. It’s a suitable meal for the whole family.

Restaurants serving Turkish kebab in Istanbul:

  • Sultanahmet Buhara Kebab House Restaurant

Address: Alemdar, Nuruosmaniye St. No. 7, 34120 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey.
Location: Sultanahmet Buhara Kebab House Restaurant

Turkish Shish Tawook

Turkish shish tawook is a famous dish in both Turkish and Levantine cuisine. It mainly consists of chicken pieces marinated in a special way and then grilled on charcoal or a grill. It has a rich and delicious flavor, usually served with white rice, salad, and grilled vegetables.

Restaurants serving shish tawook in Istanbul:

Kokorec

Kokorec is a traditional and popular Turkish dish, considered by some to be bold and distinctive. This dish consists of lamb or goat intestines, which are cleaned, seasoned with a mixture of spices, herbs, and lemon, and then wrapped on a skewer and grilled over charcoal.

Kokorec has a strong, smoky flavor, derived from the grilling process and the spices used. It is served hot in pita bread with chopped onions, tomatoes, and spices.

Restaurants serving Kokorec in Istanbul:

  • Kokoreççiler Kralı Zülfü Usta
    Address: Mercan, Uzun Çarşı St. No. 4, 34116 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey.
    Location: Kokoreççiler Kralı Zülfü Usta 
  • ȘIRDANCI EȘO
    Address: Acıbadem, Sarayardı St. No. 68, Unit 1, 34660 Kadıköy/Istanbul, Turkey.
    Location: ȘIRDANCI EȘO

Borek

Borek is a very popular dish in Istanbul, consisting of very thin dough filled with various fillings, then baked until golden and crispy. Borek fillings include cheese, meat, spinach, and potatoes, and there are sweet versions as well, filled with cheese, cream, or nuts.

Katmer

Katmer is a very delicious Turkish dessert, somewhat similar to baklava but prepared differently. It consists of very thin dough with multiple layers filled with a mixture of cream or white cheese with sugar and butter and nuts like pistachios or walnuts.

Iskender Kebab

Iskender kebab is a flavorful and authentic Turkish dish. It is made from lamb, which is cooked and then sliced into thin pieces. The sauce is made by combining tomatoes, yogurt, garlic, and spices. Bread is placed in the serving dish, then the meat is laid over it, followed by the sauce, and finally, melted butter is poured over the dish.

Restaurants serving Iskender kebab in Istanbul:

  • Bursa Kebap Evi
    Address: Merkez, Marmara St., 34310 Avcılar, Istanbul, Turkey.
    Location: Bursa Kebap Evi 
  • Uludağ Et Lokantası
    Address: Şenlikköy, Florya Coast, Çekmece Istanbul St. No. 2, 34153 Bakırköy/Istanbul, Turkey.
    Location: Uludağ Et Lokantası

Balik Ekmek

Balik Ekmek is a delicious Turkish food, its main ingredient being fish. It is essentially a fish sandwich, as its name suggests. The sandwich contains fried or grilled fish, along with a variety of fresh vegetables.

Many restaurants along the Bosphorus Strait sell this delicious sandwich, as they offer fresh fish every day.

Kelle Pacha Soup

Kelle Pacha soup is one of the most famous traditional Turkish soups, known for its rich and strong flavor. This soup is made from lamb’s head, which gives the soup its distinct taste. Other ingredients include chicken, celery, carrots, onions, cumin, black pepper, and coriander. Lemon juice is added at the end.

Kuru Fasulye

Kuru Fasulye is a very popular traditional Turkish dish and is considered a staple in Turkish cuisine. Its name literally means “dry beans,” and it’s a simple but flavorful and nutritious dish.

The dish consists of dry white beans that are soaked before cooking, along with onions, garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, cumin, curry, and black pepper. You can also add meat if you like.

Simit

Turkish simit is a type of braided round bread, and it’s one of the most popular snacks and fast food items in Turkey. Simit is known for its delicious taste and crunchy texture on the outside while soft on the inside, and it’s usually coated with sesame seeds.

Conclusion

Istanbul is not just a city of nature and history but also a destination rich in flavors that embody the depth of Turkish culture. From delicious dishes like kebab and shish tawook to unique desserts like katmer, Istanbul offers an unforgettable culinary experience that caters to all tastes. So, when you visit this wonderful city, don’t miss the opportunity to savor the best local dishes and enjoy every meal in the fabulous restaurants and hotels of Istanbul.