Turkish Delights: Tasty Treats to Try When You’re in Turkey

This blog post was updated on October 1, 2024.

Turkey is a fascinating country that is saturated with history and culture. There is just so much to see and take in that one can’t help but get hungry along the way. Luckily, Turkish cuisine has much to offer. Here are some of our favorite items:

Döner

Döner kebabs are a popular meat dish to eat while you’re on the go in Turkey. Various meats (lamb, goat, chicken, beef) are roasted on a vertical spit before being shaved into individual portions. The meat is often served in a pita with yogurt sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce. How’s that for healthy, fresh fast food?

Menemen

For a savory treat, menemen is a popular Turkish breakfast dish made from eggs cooked with tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and spices. Often enjoyed with bread, menemen is a comforting and hearty way to start the day and a favorite among locals.

Börek

Börek is a versatile and popular Turkish pastry made from thin layers of dough filled with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, minced meat, or spinach. The dough is folded and baked to a golden crisp, making börek a savory snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Pide

Often referred to as Turkish pizza, pide is a boat-shaped flatbread topped with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, eggs, minced meat, and vegetables. It’s a popular street food and a satisfying meal that showcases the diversity of Turkish flavors.

Simit

Turkish breakfasts tend to feature a savory and sweet spread of cheese, butter, olives, cucumbers, boiled eggs, jams, and honey. You need something to accompany all of these accoutrements of course, which is where simit comes in. Simit is a circular bread, covered with sesame seeds. Simit is traditionally known as a breakfast food, but I could eat it all day long.

Beyazpeynir

One of the most common Greek cheeses is beyazpeynir, a salty, white cheese (beyazpeynir means “white cheese”) that is used in salads and melted into hot dishes. It is similar to a Greek feta, although slightly milder in flavor.

Ayran

Ayran, the perfect antidote to a hot afternoon, is a cold, blended beverage made from yogurt, water and salt or fresh mint (depending on your preference). It is frothy, delicious, healthy and oh so refreshing. Ayran can be consumed by itself or as a compliment to a midday meal.

Dondurma

Turkish ice cream, known as dondurma, is famous for its distinctive texture and resistance to melting, thanks to the addition of salep (ground orchid root) and mastic. It’s often served with a theatrical flair by street vendors who delight in playfully handing over the ice cream cone to eager customers.

Baklava

A visit to Turkey isn’t complete without indulging in baklava, a rich and sweet pastry made from layers of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. Often flavored with cinnamon or cardamom, baklava is a quintessential Turkish dessert that pairs perfectly with a cup of strong Turkish coffee.

Künefe

Künefe is a traditional Turkish dessert made from shredded phyllo dough (called kadayıf), layered with soft cheese, baked until golden, and soaked in sweet syrup. It’s typically garnished with crushed pistachios and served warm, creating a delightful contrast between the crispy outer layer and the gooey cheese center.

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Lokum

Known as “Turkish Delight” to most of the world, lokum are a favorite Turkish confection. Lokum are made from a bash of starch and sugar, which forms a gel to which flavors can be added. Popular flavors include rose, mint, orange, cinnamon, and vanilla. High-quality lokum include chopped dates and pistachios, which lends a nice textural contrast to the smooth gel base. Even though lokum are traditionally eaten at the end of a meal, I have a hard time not sneaking a few throughout the day.

FAQs: 

Q: Where can I find the best baklava in Turkey?
A: Istanbul is known for having some of the best baklava shops in Turkey. Places like Karaköy Güllüoğlu and Hafız Mustafa are famous for their high-quality baklava, made using traditional recipes.

Q: Are Turkish foods like döner and börek available for vegetarians?
A: Yes, vegetarian versions are available. Börek can be filled with cheese, spinach, or potatoes. For döner, you can look for vegetarian wraps filled with falafel or grilled vegetables.

Q: How is dondurma different from regular ice cream?
A: Dondurma has a chewy texture and doesn’t melt easily due to the inclusion of salep and mastic. This makes it a unique experience compared to regular ice cream.

Q: Can I find these Turkish dishes outside of Turkey?
A: Many Turkish dishes, such as döner, baklava, and börek, are popular worldwide and can be found in Turkish or Middle Eastern restaurants in major cities.

Q: What is a typical Turkish breakfast like?
A: A typical Turkish breakfast features items like beyazpeynir (white cheese), simit, olives, boiled eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, and honey. It’s often accompanied by Turkish tea or ayran.

Q: Is ayran suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals?
A: Ayran is a yogurt-based drink, so it contains lactose. Those who are lactose intolerant might need to avoid it or look for lactose-free versions.

Q: How do you eat pide?
A: Pide is often sliced and eaten by hand, similar to pizza. It’s a popular street food, and you can enjoy it with a variety of toppings, like cheese, meat, or vegetables.

Did we leave off your favorite Turkish treat? Tell us about it in the comments below!