For many, a big part of any holiday is the food you eat, the food you remember and the food you would rather forget. In Turkey, street food is a way of life and simply cannot be ignored. Some of your finest meals will be made instantly in front of you so here is a little taste of what to expect
Turkish Street Food
Kokorec, spiced offal wrapped in lamb’s intestine is of course, a tasty treat to tie you over until dinner. For anyone wondering about the necessity of the intestine, it has been suggested this is in order to disguise the taste, raising the issue of whether or not the entire dish should be rethought. However, when in Turkey……something that sounds that questionable must be worth a try.
Kahvalti, or ‘before coffee’. Most of us would shudder at the prospect of anything before coffee but this actually means breakfast, and breakfast can be grabbed from the street in the form of a giant bread polo called simit, reminiscent of a bagel really, but tasty all the same. Having one with a strong Turkish coffee, or kiwi tea, is even better.
Kebabs. Arguably you don’t necessarily need to travel hundreds of miles for one, when getting one in your home country is extremely easy. The overwhelming hunger, the actual need for food, the fact that it is accompanied with lettuce is an easy justification for a late night healthy snack. Don’t forget about the ill-advised flirtation with the kebab man and the overwhelming disgust, the following morning at your gluttony.
Turkey welcomes you to a whole new world of the kebab. At any point of the day, more than one if you fancy, the kebab is street food to start you off. The fresh bread, salad, and meat taste is better than ever and the friendly banter with your street chef will keep you coming back day after day.
Gozleme. Essentially a pancake. Cooked fresh on the street with endless options of fillings they are irresistible and should come with a warning that you will reach new levels of gluttony after your first. Be aware though that many people return from holidays to Turkey a few pounds heavier after eating too many of these!
If this doesn’t fill you up there is plenty of fresh food and fiery flavours on offer so do not leave Turkey without trying some form of street food. Turkey holidays come in all shapes and sizes, whether you are relaxing by the beach in Marmaris or soaking up the culture in Ankara, but if you are feeling peckish do not be afraid to sample the street food that Turkey is so famous for.
Been to Turkey? If so, what is your favourite Turkish street food?
(pictures from Flickr – please see pictures for links)
We were in Turkey last month and loved it! Especially the street food in Sanliurfa where you have to chop and make your own salad to go with the kebabs
Delicious and innovative!
Lavanya recently wrote about..Food in Turkey – Our Top Picks
Lavanya – So sorry for my late reply. I have only just seen your comment. Left one on your article about making your own street food!
Natalie recently wrote about..Kemer – The Sad Facade and an Obsession with the Euro
Wow. I missed quite a few of these (except the kebabs). I guess I need to go back!
Jeff recently wrote about..Getting a Taste of Vancouver
These are only a small sample of Turkish street food Jeff. There is so much more that we never mentioned.
Natalie recently wrote about..Photo Post – Up Close and Personal
Gozleme is definitely my first choice. I’m pretty good at making them too, after working in a cafe in Goreme for a year. My favourite filling is cheese and spinach..delicious!
Great mouthwatering post Nat xx
Ayak recently wrote about..The most irritating TV ad ever…
I always go for potato and cheese Ayak. Good on you at being good at making them, I would not know where to start!
Natalie recently wrote about..Adventure Rope Climbing In Kemer
I’ve actually started making my own gozleme! Well, sort of. I buy the yufka from the ladies at the pazar, and then grill it (with spinach or potato inside) on my folding non-stick electric grill. So easy even I can’t screw it up!
Ellen recently wrote about..Why eat at McDonalds in Turkey?
Good on you Ellen. If it tastes the same, why not? Still too complicated for me!
I prefer to buy it as a take away
Natalie recently wrote about..Brilliant Beekeeping : How The Turks Make Sweet, Golden Honey
How on earth does that guy carry all that on his head! Incredible! Have you really tried the intestine???xx
Jen recently wrote about..The Scarlett Guide To… Office Lingo
Hi Jen, I always wonder if they get a headache at the end of the day. I have not tried the intestine yet but it is on my bucket list.
Natalie recently wrote about..Sacrificing a Goat for Kurban Bayram
I just love gozleme. Fresh and a delicious. Can’t get enough of them!
Jack Scott recently wrote about..Pussy Galore
Now, I always put you down as favoring kebabs Jack. Not sure why. If I had to choose then I am sorry the kebab would come first.
Natalie recently wrote about..Five Reasons to Pick Turkey as Your Next Holiday Destination
Definitely the loaves of bread stuffed with cheese and herbs and the freshly fried doughnuts topped with crushed pistachios. YUM!
ehalvey recently wrote about..Pittsburgh: Full of Culture not Smoke
I could do the fried doughnuts Ehalvey but without the pistachios. Some how pistachios in food never fair well with me.
Natalie recently wrote about..Butterfly Valley
. . scrummy post Natalie – I think I’d like seconds, please!
Alan recently wrote about..The Second Coming?
By all means sir. Plenty to go around for everyone
I bet you get some good food in the village Alan?
Natalie recently wrote about..The Blue Cave and Kostos the Greek
I think street food is the best way to taste a culture. And in Turkey it looks like you get a lot of culture on the streets. I am particularly wanting to try that gozleme – sound delicious!
So true Sherry about street food being an introduction to the culture. No matter which country you are in. We should of added sweetcorn to the list as they are also popular in the summer.
Natalie recently wrote about..Kas – Mediterranean Delight in Turkey
Kobrac Looks really tasty I love street food and cannot wait to visit Turkey to try some of these
James Cook recently wrote about..Midweek Snapshot – New Zealand – December 2010
We look forward to having you in Turkey James. There are so many bloggers writing specifically about Turkey that you have your own ready made guide book.
Natalie recently wrote about..Welcome to Cirali
I was so lost with the food when I visited Turkey. I needed a guide!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently wrote about..My Biggest Fear: Dental Work in the Third World
No Stephanie – No guide needed. Just get stuck in and ask questions about what it is after.
Natalie recently wrote about..Kemer – The Sad Facade and an Obsession with the Euro
when i was in turkey i used to eat Kebabs all the time
Zablon Mukuba recently wrote about..Volunteer abroad testimonials
I am with you on that one Zablon – I could eat a kebab and wash it down with Ayran every day. Sometimes a lot better than a five star slap up meal in a restaurant.
Natalie recently wrote about..Kemer – The Sad Facade and an Obsession with the Euro
Yum! The food looks awesome…even though am a veggie
Siddhartha Joshi recently wrote about..Pushkar Fair…a fairytale…
If you a veggie, then the Gozleme is the best option for you Sid. Most of the fillings for Gozleme are vegetarian
Ayvalik toast was definitely my favourite street food in Turkey – toasted sandwich stuffed with chips (French fries), pickle, lettuce, tomatoes and salami slathered in mayonnaise….mmmmmm! And it is, of course, best in Ayvalik
That is a new one on me Tom. Not sure about the French fries but the rest of it sounds tasty.
You’re making me hungry with these photos! They remind me of my visit to Turkey this spring, I’m sure I had more kebabs those 3 weeks than I had my entire life.
The only thing I didn’t about Turkish food was that the portions seemed a bit small, like the tea came in shot glass sizes instead of big mugs…
- Lily
Lily recently wrote about..Ancient Egypt Temples in Luxor (@GetYourGuide)
Lily – I totally agree with you about the tea glasses. I normally end up drinking about four before I am satisfied.
loved the Kokorec & Gozleme! i had some hamsi as well that I ate along my walk!
the fresh figs were awesome!!
jenjenk recently wrote about..Ephesus, Turkey: Ancient Ruins, Virgin Mary’s home, and Managing Expectations
I can go along with hamsi Jen but have to leave the fresh figs alone!
Natalie recently wrote about..Adventure Rope Climbing In Kemer
Well, my bucket list is getting too long already, so I guess I’ll have to forego the kokorec, darn it. The rest looks yummy, though.
Gozleme and Kebabs are always yummy 50+
I can almost smell the kebabs from here!
Abby recently wrote about..This is why I travel
YUM! Love Turkish street food
I remember your pictures of Turkish food Cam. Quite a feast!
Natalie recently wrote about..Kas – Mediterranean Delight in Turkey
To me a gözleme is not a pancake, a bazlama, which is much thicker, comes closer to a pancake. Gözleme bread is very thin and suitable for a wrap for food or used as a spoon substitute in communal dining. I have not found good simit outside of Istanbul but I am still searching
I am a vegetarian and eat nothing which has eyes. People are astounded that I can live in Turkey and have such a preference but it is quite easy here. I would like to see a follow-up article for us veggie lovers, those of us to whom the sight and smell of a döner is “ugh.”
Hobbit recently wrote about..First Irish Film Festival in Turkey
Hi John, Now I think about vegetarians, I agree that it is easy. The markets are so full of fresh fruit and veg. Salads, mezes and soups are so frequently available in fast food places as well. There are also a lot of home recipes that contain no meat. Made a note about your follow up article and will see what I can come up with
Wow, I never heard of these. Great to know because I can make sure to check out these st food when in Turkey. Great post!
Hi Sarah, Do you have a date yet when you will be in Turkey? Look forward to reading your posts, if you have
That guy must have a neck of iron. That’s incredible!
Just a bit Alex – rather him than me!
ewww. will never ever try Kokorec but I do love Turkish food soooooo much. Especially Adana Kebab. Yummy. Yummy. Yummy.
Yvonne recently wrote about..5 Things You Need To Know About Geocaching
Adana kebab is a favorite of mine as well Yvonne. Love it with a nice salad and some rice
Jonesing for a mangal now…
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You should try Kumru, Boyoz, Izmir sandwich in Izmir.
Dear Natalie,
I am new to your blog. I so your post on Turkish street food and I felt like making a few comends.
There no offal in kokorech. It is just intestines wrapt around itself. Nothing goes into it.
Simit may look like a thin bagel and it is made of wheat flour but the smilarity ends there. The taste and texture are completly different.
Gözleme is not a pancake at all. It has no eggs or milk in its dough. It is made of thick filo using just flour and water.
Hi Gunes, thanks for your comments. I did get a Turkish person to check this before it was published. They said they have known offal to go into Kokorech at times, maybe it is regional thing. I know a simit is not a bagel, I have eaten enough of them! The text says “reminiscent of a bagel really” I have also eaten many gozleme and even attempted to make it myself, it is a pancake in that it is the same shape and thickness.
I think that the intestines are nasty. I’ve been to Turkey three times and tired them and do not like them. Although the Kahvalti is quite satisfying.
-:D
Hi. Living in Turkey I have tried all of the above. Good tasty fillers, and cheap. Surprises me how one can pay such varying prices for say a Kebap. We have a local Kebap shop which charges 2 TL, have also paid up to 6 TL for the same thing. But 2TL, value for money or what??? 2 years ago I was in Kusadasi with my wife and kids. We decided to try a Kebap in the more traditional local Turkish district as apposed to the tourist area. We were welcomed into a very plane but friendly family run Kebap cafe. We ordered 2 Kebaps which when they arrived were whoppers, well filled, and sooooooo delicious! We also ordered 2 freshly squeezed orange juice upon which we were surprised to see 2 pint glasses filled with orange juice which was prepared on the spot. We began to think we were being conned into a whopping bill as we knew that a small glass of squeezed juice was 3 to 5 TL when purchased on the front touristy area. Guess how much for the lot……the equivalent of 1 pound sterling, yes 1 pound. The family were lovely people, appeared pleased we had taken the time to wonder to their cafe, and asked us to return every day we were there (offer declined as we would have weighed 2 stone heavier on our return back to the UK after our holiday) Can not imagine prices are so low now but still it goes to show that we then tourists should be making the effort to explore rather than sitting in hotels complaining about the lack of chips.
Hi David, your words are so true and I have experienced the same just the other day with the fresh orange juice. Ordered a pint glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in the city centre of Gaziantep, drank it and was expecting to pay a hefty fortune. It was just 1.25 lira. I agree that tourists should definitely be exploring more
Natalie recently wrote about..The Church of the Redeemer and the True Cross
We all had the intestines by mistake thinking it was Kebap. Biiiiiiiig mistake. A cross between stale smelling meat and bits of herb which smelt of grass processed through a cow. However it appears very popular locally, and everyone to their own.