You may be lucky and have a fabulous chef on board, but we’re pretty sure even great chefs are partial to a decent street-side snack occasionally – especially after a boozy crew night out. Luckily no one will go hungry in Türkiye!
Türkiye is well known for its takeaway and street cuisine, and despite popular belief, there’s far more than doner kebabs available if you’re after a bite on the run. Here’s a look at some “must-try” street food in Türkiye.
MUST-TRY STREET FOOD IN TURKEY
Midye Dolma (Stuffed Mussels)
Take a sunset walk through almost any coastal resort or city in Türkiye, and you will spot the “mussel men” with their little stalls, silver trays or wicker baskets full of mussels. Midye dolma is a well-loved street-side delicacy and one not to be missed, especially if you see it’s a popular stand suggesting the mussels are fresh and tasty. The mussels are filled with a mix of rice, herbs and spice, sometimes with a bit of chilli and always served on the half shell with an optional squeeze of fresh lemon. Stand by the stall and buy a few, but be warned, they are addictive, so one is never enough!
Kokorec (Intestines)
A snack of offal may not appeal to everyone, but it’s the norm for many Turks. You will find kokorec stands and fast-food chains all over Türkiye, and the better ones are usually packed of an evening or when the bars close. Kokorec can be cooked and served in several ways; grilled, fried or wrapped around sweetbreads and cooked on a horizontal spit, and when it’s cooked properly, kokorec is delicious. The dish is made from spiced lamb intestines served in a quarter or half bread that’s toasted on top of the meat juices. Yes, it’s an acquired taste, but many locals and more adventurous foodie travellers find it satisfying, especially after a night on the town.
Balik Ekmek (Fish Sandwich)
If you’re a Brit that enjoyed fish finger butties as a kid, balik ekmek is the street-side snack for you! Instead of containing frozen breaded white fish, this dish is made with fresh fish fillets, grilled and served with local herbs, salad and onions. The variety of fish used depends on the season and region of Türkiye you’re in, and the best balik ekmek is always found in ports or in harbourside cafes where it’s fresh from the tug, cleaned, and then tossed straight on the grill. It’s a healthy, delicious sandwich that hits the spot of foreigners, kids and locals alike, so do put balik ekmek on your grab-and-run snack list should you need a fishy-fix.
Doner Kebab
Doner kebab is the ultimate street food in Türkiye and the most popular for a good reason – Turks know how to do kebabs! They are a “must-try” for all that grace Turkish shores as they taste so much nicer than the greasy chip-shop servings you find in other countries. A doner is essentially a sandwich, served as a “durum” (flatbread), pitta bread or traditional half bread. There’s usually a choice of chicken or meat, cut in thin slivers from a rotating spit and served with a choice of sumac onions, tomatoes, lettuce and either spicy or yoghurt sauce. The best doner stalls make their own kebabs, the recipes handed down through generations and so secret they won’t part with the details. Traditionally doner is served with a salty yoghurt drink called “ayran” that goes wonderfully with the taste. Tucking into a takeaway doner from Türkiye should be on every “must-eat” bucket list on any travels through the country.
Kumpir (Baked Potatoes)
Most countries serve street-side baked potatoes, but in Türkiye, they really do go to town! Served with a vast selection of fillings, including cheese, corn, pickled veggies, various mezze, Russian salad or even simply salt and butter, they are a go-to for students, office workers, tourists and locals of all ages. The humble spud really does have a home in Turkish street cuisine – and that may be because they season and mash the hot insides with butter before adding all the delicious extras.
Noghutlu or Tavuklu Pilav (Chickpeas or chicken and rice)
For a real street-side treat, stop off at a café or stall serving either chickpea or chicken and chickpea rice. These dishes are pretty much as they sound; toasted, beautifully seasoned, buttered or oiled rice with chickpeas, served as-is for the vegetarians, or with a helping of shredded chicken tossed in. It may not be Michelin star, but it certainly fills the spot if you’re after a tasty, quick fix.
Islak Burger (Wet Burger)
For many, a hamburger is the takeaway of choice, and it’s no different in Türkiye. Aside from the international and local burger chains, it’s the stalls that serve the “islak burger” that win the custom. Translated as “moist burger”, that’s exactly what it is – a hamburger that’s steamed in a sauce and served wet on the bun. It’s a late-night snack that goes best with the non-alcoholic yoghurt drink ayran, and you can find it in many local cafés or street stalls throughout the country
Tantuni (Diced Beef Wrap)
Tantuni was originally seen as a poor man’s meal developed in Mersin and found throughout southern Türkiye. It’s a diced beef wrap, cooked in a special pan and now loved by all ages and classes. You rarely find two cafes serving the same tantuni as the chefs use their own blend of herbs and spices to flavour the meat before adding the onions, tomatoes and sumac to the sandwich. Tantuni is a cheap, nutritious and flavoursome street food in Türkiye ideal for munching on the go, so do give it a try if you’re feeling peckish.
Gozleme (Turkish Pancakes)
A popular street food in Türkiye is gozleme or Turkish pancakes. You find gozleme stalls and cafes throughout Türkiye, even at local open markets and public events. Don’t think sweet American pancakes or French crepes here, Turkish pancakes are savoury made with a simple flour and water dough, rolled into uber-thin rounds, then cooked on a circular hotplate. They are filled with almost anything; yellow or white cheese and herbs, spinach, mashed potato, mincemeat and onions – you even see them with lemon and sugar or chocolate spread and banana to appeal to the tourists and kids. Gozleme is cheap and tasty, and the ideal light bite sure to appeal to everyone – especially if you ask for it crispy!
Cig Kofte (Veggie Meatballs)
Cig Kofte, literally translated as “raw meatballs”, is originally far from vegan. It’s a dish that dates back hundreds of years, traditionally made by kneading raw ground meat and spice by hand and originated in the Sanliurfa region of southeast Türkiye. But times have changed. Raw meat spoils quickly, so a vegan variation developed using a tasty mix of bulgur wheat, onions, tomato paste and spices. These ingredients are then kneaded into a rough paste and shaped into traditional bite-sized pieces in the palm of the hand. Vegan cig kofte is now so popular that specialist shops, street vendors and supermarkets sell it throughout Türkiye, making it a great option for the plant-based eaters needing a quick snack whilst out and about.
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Hopefully, our little look at the best street food in Türkiye has thrown up some ideas on what to order if you’re belly ever rumbles and you’re in need of a tasty takeaway. For more info on Turkish food, lifestyle and culture, please make sure you sign up to our blog below and don’t forget Senem and the 360 Yachting provision team can supply whatever provisions you may need – fine foods and local. We can also suggest the best restaurants to find great food throughout Türkiye, including bars and eateries for a crew night out (takeaway joints optional!). CONTACT US
