Turkish food is always so fresh and delicious that as soon as I get close to arriving in Turkey I get excited butterflies in my stomach. Whether it is something simple like a kebab or slow cooked güveç, there is always lots of flavour to enjoy.
The dishes vary between regions, utilising ingredients unique to the area so, like any country, I always try to pick dishes specific to that region. The list of dishes below is obviously not exhaustiv,e but it’s a good introduction to typical Turkish cuisine.
An Introduction To Turkish Dishes
Döner
The classic döner can come in a variety of forms such as in a wrap or with bread. However, the meat used is always that giant hunk of meat you see being cooked on a spit, which in the UK we associate with a late night drunken snack!
In Turkey these are delicious no matter what time of day.
Alinazik
Smoked and spiced eggplant which is grilled, pureed and topped with lamb cubes. It’s usually served with rice and yoghurt with garlic. Alinazik is a speciality of the Gaziantep province of Turkey.
Güveç
Oh I love a good güveç! Güveç is a stew cooked in a clay pot. The stew contains a mixture of vegetables and often contains meat or fish. Karides güveç or shrimp stew is my personal favourite.
Kebap (kebab)
Kebabs have been cooked around the world for generations so come in many different shapes, sizes and variations. But wherever you find them it’s essentially meat on a stick cooked over coals.
Beyti refers to minced meat and şiş is cubed meat. Adana is known is the spicy Turkish kebab.
Köfta
Turkey’s answer to meatballs. A simple recipe of minced meat, onion and herbs. Turkish meatballs are served dry (ie no sauce) on a stick, often with rice and salad.
Related Reading
Related Reading
- The best Turkey road trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia
- The prettiest places in Turkey
- Hidden gems in Turkey to add to your bucket list
Pide
Also know as Turkish pizza. This is flatbread oven baked with a variety of toppings, as you might get on a typical pizza, but is more oval in shape.
Meze
Meze isn’t one dish, rather it is a selection of many small dishes typically served as an appetiser and is a staple on most Turkish food menus. Typical meze dishes include humus, olive salad, cucumber with yoghurt and eggplant salad all served with a healthy serving of bread.
Izgara Balık
Simply, grilled fish. A must for any visit to the Turkish coast. Nick swears by the grilled fish at Smiley’s restaurant in Kaş, which is on the Turquoise Coast.
Şakşuka
Finely diced aubergine, potato, zucchini and onion lightly fried in a tomato sauce. Usually cooked in clay dish. Great as a starter.
Testi Kebap
Yes, yes have a giggle at the name but this dish is truly delicious. (More giggles) This dish is typical to the Cappadocia region and is basically meat and vegetables slow cooked in a sealed clay pot.
The waiter brings the pot to the table whilst it’s on fire and then promptly chops the end off the pot, whilst trying not to get any clay fragments in your food. Magic!
For a detailed Cappadocia itinerary click here!
Popular Turkish Drinks
Çay
Tea, never served with milk, but almost certainly with a cube of sugar. You will literally get asked if you want çay where ever you go. Be prepared for a lot of pee stops!
Kafe
Turkish coffee is unfiltered and strong, so the trick is to let the coffee sit for a while and let the grinds settle to the bottom.
Ayran
Common in many middle east countries, Ayran is a cold buttermilk drink mixed with salt. A little sour for my taste but Nick loves it!
Raki
Anise flavoured alcoholic drink similar to Sambuca! This is the spirit of choice in Turkey
Turkish Food Summary
I hope you enjoyed my introduction to Turkish food and find it useful during your visit to Turkey.
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