TurkeyWhat to eat in Turkey: top 10 dishes
Traveling to Turkey? These are the ten dishes it is best known for, from everyday staples to festive classics, with a short background and a tip on where and when to eat each one. Ranked by how widely they are known around the world.
01Kebab
Kebab (UK: kib-AB, US: kib-AHB), kebap, kabob (alternative North American spelling), kebob, or kabab (Kashmiri) is a variety of roasted meat dishes that originated in the Middle East.
Travel tip Found in kebab restaurants all over the country, with each region having its own styles. Meat is typically served with bread, grilled vegetables and salad.
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02Turkish delight
Turkish delight, lokum or loqum is a family of confections based on a gel of starch and sugar.
Travel tip Sold in sweet shops, often by weight, and offered with tea or coffee. It also makes a popular gift to bring home.
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03Börek
Börek, also referred to as burek or byrek or burekas, is a family of pastries or pies made in West Asia and Southeast Europe. The pastry is made of a thin flaky dough such as filo with a variety of fillings, such as meat, cheese, spinach, or potatoes.
Travel tip Found in bakeries and börek shops, and popular for breakfast or as a quick snack. Cheese, spinach and meat fillings are common.
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04Doner kebab
Doner kebab or döner kebab is a Turkish dish made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Seasoned meat stacked in the shape of an inverted cone is turned slowly on the rotisserie, next to a vertical cooking element.
Travel tip A common fast meal at casual shops and street stalls, served in bread or on a plate with sides. Look for the vertical spit turning in the window.
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05Meze
Meze is a selection of small dishes served as appetizers in Eastern Mediterranean cuisines. It is similar to Spanish tapas and Italian stuzzichini. A meze may be served as a part of a multi-course meal or form a meal in itself.
Travel tip Ordered at the start of a meal in meyhane-style taverns and restaurants, and shared by the table. Take your time, since meze are meant for slow conversation.
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06Sujuk
Sujuk, sugou or sucuk is a Turkish dry, spicy and fermented sausage which is consumed in several Anatolian, Balkan, Middle Eastern and Central Asian cuisines.
Travel tip Often eaten at breakfast, sliced and fried with eggs or served on the table with cheese and bread. You will also find it in sandwiches.
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07Dondurma
Dondurma is the Turkish name for ice cream, while Booza (Arabic: بُوظَة, romanized: Būẓah, lit. 'ice cream') is the Arabic name for ice cream.
Travel tip Sold at ice cream shops and street vendors, known for its stretchy, chewy texture. Some vendors enjoy playing tricks with the cone before handing it over.
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08Pastırma
Pastirma is a heavily seasoned, air-dried cured meat, typically water buffalo or beef, that is found in multiple Balkan and Mediterranean cuisines under a variety of names.
Travel tip A cured meat eaten sliced thin as part of breakfast or meze, or cooked with eggs. It has a strong, spicy flavor, so a little goes a long way.
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09Imam Bayıldı
İmam bayıldı (literally: "the imam fainted" in Turkish) is a Turkish dish consisting of whole aubergine stuffed with onion, garlic and tomatoes, and simmered in olive oil.
Travel tip Usually served at room temperature as a starter or light meal, in restaurants that serve home-style dishes. It goes well with bread.
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10Menemen
Menemen is a popular traditional Turkish dish that includes eggs, tomato, green peppers, and spices such as ground black and red pepper cooked in olive oil. Menemen is commonly eaten for breakfast and served with bread.
Travel tip A classic breakfast, cooked and served in a small pan at the table. Tear off pieces of bread and dip them in directly.
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