Simit

Simply, simit is a circular sesame-crusted bread and is considered one of Istanbul's iconic food. It tastes something like an American bagel but richer, people of Istanbul cannot resist the delicious taste of freshly baked simit because a fresh simit has crispier sesame and fluffier inside so make sure to buy a fresh one for a better taste.

Simit is a daily food for professionals and drivers even fishes and birds eat old days simits During this time, simit vendors have developed it by filling it with white cheese, cream cheese, vegetables, or even Nutella chocolate, and costs between 30-40 US Cents. Live this experience at one of the best Simit Sarayi restaurants.

Fish Sandvich

The number two most popular food in Istanbul some consider it Istanbul’s classic food. If you are a fan of fish food, it is impossible to ignore this sandwich. Grilled fresh fish with onions and lettuce in freshly baked bread. Eminönü Square is the best place to eat a fish sandwich such as Yaka Balik Fish house, and it costs 3 to 4 USD

Roasted Chestnuts

Roasted chestnuts are more famous in winter months than in summer because people usually eat them to warm themselves with tasty food. Turkey is considered the third country in the world to produce chestnuts, and this fact explains how much love people have for this food. A simple hot and delicious snack that you can find almost everywhere but is famous in Sultanahmet and Taksim and costs only a few Turkish liras for a bag.

Mussels

Simple but rich with flavors, it is a normal mussel on the half shell filled with spiced rice inside and cooked slowly for hours, served immediately out of the tray with a squeeze of lemon juice. Midye is more a snack than a meal but a lot of people eat dozens of it right on the street. It’s tricky thou, the idea of Midye is to keep eating as many as the seller gives you and by the time you feel full, it's already 5 dollars to pay. So try to control your stomach. Try that out at Kaydonia Restaurant.

Kumpir

The magnificent kumpir as Turkish sellers call it. It is a baked big potato with cheese and other components that you get to choose to put on it. Ortakoy on the Bosphorus side is the most famous place to make it; once you put your foot in Ortakoy, kumpir street sellers will come out from everywhere just to buy. Do not feel afraid; walk confidently and choose the cart you like but do not miss the chance to eat a kumpir at Bosphorus company restaurant for example.

Chicken over Rice

Much simpler than it sounds, with nothing more than rice and chicken on top of it. You would imagine that such a kind of food is only served at restaurants, well think again because you are in Istanbul. In fact, Tavuk Pilav is a fast lunch for a lot of people in Istanbul because it is tasty, fast, and filling. Usually, it is served with a buttermilk drink and costs you nothing more than 3 to 4 dollars at maximum. You can find it almost everywhere but the people of Istanbul swear that there is something magical and special about the cart in front of Unkapani Market.

There is more street food that you can find while walking down the streets of beautiful Istanbul city, Börek, Lokma, Köfte Ekmek, and other street food that you, your wife, and your wallet will definitely love.

Midye Dolma In Istanbul

Midye Dolma is a famous street dish in Istanbul that consists of mussels filled with herbed rice, currants, and pine nuts. There are usually street vendors where you may sample this wonderful cuisine, but there are also some established stores. Mercan Kokorec and Sampiyon Kokorec, in particular, are two locations I strongly suggest. Mercan Kokorec and Sampiyon Kokorec are two well-known chains with locations in tourist areas. These businesses may be found at Beyoglu Fish Market (near Taksim Square) or Kadikoy Fish Market. 

Simit 

Simit is an essential element of everyday life in Istanbul. On the streets of Istanbul and on the city’s iconic boats, you may observe many people eating breakfast with simit. Turkish tea, by the way, works very well with simit. Most street bagel sellers put cheese inside the bagel, and it’s a delicious combination. If you want something sweet, you may have your bagel combined with Nutella. 

Grilled Fish

Balik Ekmek (fish sandwich) may be found around Istanbul. However, when it comes to fish sandwiches, Eminonu is the first location that springs to mind for the residents. It’s a treat to eat fish sandwiches beside the Eminonu fish boats that stand alongside the sea. You may enjoy your fish sandwich while sitting on the street stools and watching the Galata Tower. 

Near the Galata Bridge, which links Karakoy and Eminonu, there are many fish sandwich businesses. If you wish to dine in a formal setting, there are a number of fish restaurants that provide tables under the Galata Bridge where you may sample excellent mackerel. Taksim and Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s most famous tourist attractions, are both within walking distance of Galata Bridge. 

Doner Kebab

Doner Kebab is by far Istanbul’s most popular street dish. The best doner stores may be located in historic areas. In Sultanahmet, Eminonu, Besiktas, and Uskudar, I recommend going to the packed local restaurants where you can’t even get a seat. Donerci Sahin Usta in the Grand Bazaar and Asim Usta (aka Karadeniz Doner) in Besiktas are two locations in Istanbul where you can have a fast and delicious lunch. Zumrut Doner, located near Spice Bazaar, is well worth a visit. 

Wet Burger In Istanbul

Islak Hamburger is another one-of-a-kind Istanbul dish (wet burger). Siraselviler Street in Beyoglu has a plethora of businesses selling Islak Hamburger. The Islak Hamburger, which is served around Taksim Square, is a must-have street dish in Istanbul’s nightlife. A steamed burger is covered with a unique sauce that moistens the burger. This burger is made with a lot of butter, and the burger meat is peppery. As a result, it’s a one-of-a-kind burger worth tasting.

What are Stuffed Mussels?

Mussels live in rocky places of the seas, attached to rocks. But in their interlocking shells, a treasure trove of delicious edible meat is hidden. In Turkey, sea mussels are cooked with spicy rice in them. This different way of eating distinguishes them from eating mussels around the world. 

Stuffed mussels complement many street dishes and are a delicacy that even those who approach it with prejudice love over time. You may eat this street food, which is very troublesome to make at home, in restaurants in many parts of the country. Although there are many different ways of cooking mussels, the most commonly eaten form in Turkey is to put rice in it and turn it into stuffing. In addition to this, there are also varieties such as mussel-pan, mussel pilaki, and mussel pilaf. 

Where to Eat Stuffed Mussels

Mussels collected with difficulty from the deep seas of Turkey go through many stages before they are brought to our table. Stuffed mussels sold by peddlers or restaurants must be thoroughly cleaned after being picked from the sea. For this reason, it may be the right choice for you to eat stuffed mussels in reliable and more preferred places.

How to Make Them

To make stuffed mussels, first of all, the mussels that are closed should be extracted nicely and washed in plenty of water. Mussels are opened from their end parts with the help of a sharp knife without separating the adjacent shell parts from each other. The hairy parts are removed, and the shell mussels are left for a short time in a container filled with cold water. The rice placed in the mussels should also be well sorted and washed. For the preparation of internal pilaf, ingredients such as onions, currants, cumin, and lemon will be needed. After the onions and other ingredients are nicely roasted in oil, rice is also added to them, and then hot water is added and left to soften. 

Although the preparation of the inner rice is relatively easy, the difficult part of filling the mussels is placing the rice inside. Small pieces are taken from the pilaf, carefully stuffed into mussels, and closed with lids back. Then, water is added to the mussels lined up in a saucepan and cooked for half an hour to combine well with the inner rice. The most preferred way of eating this delicious street food is by squeezing a lemon on it.

There are Turkish foods and drinks that you should try when you visit Turkey. While some of these foods consist of well-known meat dishes such as kebabs and döner, we recommend that you don’t skip the street flavors. The variety of street food available in Turkey will be the kind you will not find in many parts of the world. 

Street Food of Istanbul

People living in different cities of Turkey mostly prefer street food due to the busy pace of work or the hustle and bustle of school life. The most preferred Turkish street food, which is prepared quickly and quite satisfying, is usually prepared with seafood and various kind of meats. Such delicacies as hamburgers, döner (Turkish sub), tantuni, and kokoreç, which are street delicacies containing red meat, are very popular in Turkey. Especially in the east of the country, the demand for street delicacies made using offal is very high in restaurants. 

Doner is a delicious dish that is known all over the world in Turkey and is made with thin-cut meat. Doner kebab restaurants, which you can see on every street corner in Turkey, give you an unforgettable taste. Tantuni, on the other hand, is made by putting various greens and cubed chopped and cooked meat into the lavash bread in a similar way to doner. Special foods and drinks are usually consumed together in Turkey, and indispensable combinations are formed inevitably. One of the most consumed traditional drinks in Turkey is the “ayran” made with yogurt, which accompanies many dishes.

Kokoreç is another street food that you can find in Turkish artisan restaurants, is a favorite of many locals. The kokoreç flavor, eaten mainly in the evening, is made from offal and is flavored with various spices and placed in bread

What are the Ingredients of Corn on the Cob?

Lemon juice, one of the most commonly added ingredients, gives the corn a slightly sour taste and increases its flavor. In addition, sauces such as pomegranate syrup, mayonnaise, and ketchup allow you to adjust the taste of corn to your liking. Corn on the cob is a type of corn grilled on the grill and is eaten with salt only. You can also try adding various spices, but extra sauces are not preferred. The perfect combination of oil, salt, and different spices, corn is also very light in calories! This snack, which is often recommended for diet meals and snacks, is an ideal option for those who want to pass their lunch quickly, even if it does not make you feel full for a long time.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Corn, a snack you can come across in every district of Istanbul, has a bitter taste by being fried using grilling methods. This food, which has not lost anything of its own flavor, is served by hanging it on a stick after being heated on the grills. This food, which attracts the attention of foreign tourists, is a food that can be preferred as a snack, even if it is not fully satisfying for the stomach. Blending the authentic grilled taste with the original flavor of corn, corn on the cob is one of the most popular, especially among night snacks. 

Boiled Corn on the Cob

One of Istanbul's most common street food, boiled corn, is done by boiling it in kernels. Then, the corn in the cup, made delicious by adding butter, is blended with various sauces and seasonings according to taste and eaten with a spoon. The corn that has passed through the boiling stage becomes soft, delicious, and ready to eat. Sweet but also with a sour taste, corn is among the number one snacks of everyone from seven to seventy. 

Where Can I Eat The Corn on the Cob?

Corn, which means "mısır" in Turkish, is a widely known food, especially in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of the country. Since it is not an imported product, it is possible to come across corn on almost every street. Eminönü is a district famous for its popular street food places, peddlers, and various snacks. Although you can come across a corn seller in almost every street of Istanbul, don't finish your trip without stopping by the peddlers in Eminönü! 

You can find mısır, a very nutritious food, for around 20 to 40 Turkish liras. You wouldn't have come to Istanbul without trying this delicious and healthy snack. This street flavor, which you can find at any time of the year, regardless of the season, meets its users through mobile cars and vendors. Corn, a complete nutritional source in terms of calories, can be preferred as a healthy snack. Corn, an appetite suppressant feature, is often included in diet meals and as a snack alongside meals.

How Much is a Corn Cob?

Corn, which tourists enjoy, is a snack that is sold in various sizes, and its prices may vary according to its size. The more corn on a cob, the higher its price. At the same time, varieties of corn in the glass are served in three or four different sizes. You can order whatever you want at that moment. It is not only a snack that can be eaten standing up, but you can also pack it and take it home. In addition, you can have a good time with your loved ones and have a snack. Corn varieties that cost only a few Turkish liras range from 3 to 20 Turkish liras. Corn, the price of which varies according to the type and size of the corn, offers a feast of taste to its lovers.

So, do not leave Istanbul without trying corn, which is suitable for all diets and appeals to various tastes in terms of calories! If you have tried and liked corn, you can taste other famous foods of Istanbul and adapt to the culture.

As for Turkish drinks, various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are found in the Turkish culinary culture. Some combinations of food and drinks are indispensable for Turks. All drinks such as tea, Turkish coffee, sahlep, boza, kefir, turnip, and raki are unique to Turks and are called healthy according to consumption. From these drink recipes, various sorbets, which are the famous drink of the Ottoman era, are made from fruits and herbs and appeal to the taste buds of dessert lovers with their sweet taste.

The salty drink recipes of the Turks are one of the indispensable ones eaten alongside kebab, doner, and similar street delicacies. The best examples of such drinks are ayran, turnip, and pickle juice, containing healthy calories. 

Pickle Juice

Pickled juice is a drink that the locals consume in Turkey regardless of the time, it has a sour and salty taste, and gives energy by being healthy. This juice, which you can find in various country provinces, especially in pickle shops and artisan restaurants, is made from different vegetables. The recipe for pickle juice, which locals prefer to get energy and warm up, especially on cold winter days, should be well known and skillfully made. It is essential that there are many kinds of pickles in pickle shops and that these are kept fresh and presented to the visitors.

It is a well-known fact that the Turks eat a lot of pickles, especially in the winter season, along with various dishes. Although eating pickles increases appetite, we think this will not be detrimental. In addition to this, pickled water has benefits such as improving muscle contractions, reducing dehydration, regulating the immune system, and speeding up metabolism. But it will also be in your best interest to pay attention to the amount you drink.

Ingredients with valuable substances such as garlic, vinegar, and tomatoes placed in them increase pickle juice’s taste and health. If you visit Turkey for the first time, you can see the artisan shops selling pickles and witness this different culture.

Pickle Juice Recipe

To make pickle juice, of course, first of all, you need to make a pickle recipe. You can use any of the many vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, eggplants, melons, pears, quince, plums, peppers, mushrooms, onions, garlic, eggplant, cauliflower to make pickles. Although you can’t do it as well as in the shops selling pickle juice, you can quickly pickle it at home and can achieve the best result with a bit of patience.

After the desired ingredients are lined up in the pickle jar, garlic and hot peppers are also added to this order. After that, healthy herbs such as parsley are added to this jar. Water containing ingredients such as rock salt, vinegar, and lemon salt boiled in water is added. One of the ingredients that give the healthy calories of pickle juice is rock salt. Finally, the lid of the pickle jar is closed so that it does not get air, and it is left for about 20 days in a cool dark place. After waiting long enough, you will have tried a delicious taste by consuming the pickle juice of this healthy recipe.

Places of Interest in Istanbul

Istanbul, the most populous city in Turkey, is one of the centers that foreigners and tourists prefer to visit the most. Restaurants and shops reflect Turkish cuisine in the city. These places are also located in tourist centers such as Grand Bazaar and reflect Turkish culture. Let’s look at where you can drink the healthy pickle juice we mentioned above in Istanbul.

The first of the oldest pickle juice and pickle shops in Istanbul is Asri Turşuculuk, serving since 1913. For those going to consume pickle juice as a drink for the first time, this place is one of the most suitable start. The pickle juice here is neither too sweet nor sour but entirely consistent.

Soydan Pickle is another very famous pickle juice serving place located in the bazaar of Beşiktaş, Istanbul. In this place, you can taste delicious pickles such as cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, plums, and gherkins and drink the juices of these pickles. Finally, it would be correct to show an example of visiting Petek Turşuları located in Istanbul. Petek Turşuları, which has been in service since 1992, is especially famous for its cherry and apricot pickles.

It is always eaten everywhere. Dürüm is a satisfying and delicious food. It is a food which can be eaten for every meal. Also, non-veg wraps have many varieties. It can be made with chicken, beef, or lamb. It can be done using just vegetables for vegetarians. If you want to eat dürüm, you can find it easily in Istanbul. You can eat it in a kebab restaurant or at street vendors.

Adana Dürüm

Adana dürüm is made with Adana kebab. Beef mince and ground lamb are mixed with onion and garlic, and they start to be kneaded. Chilli pepper, black pepper, and parsley are hashed are added. This ingredient is skewered and grilled. Kebab, tomato, and onion are put in a lavash. If you like vegetables, you can add parsley and lettuce. Then, the lavash is wrapped, and you can eat your non-veg wrap! You can eat pickled hot peppers and drink ayran, and it will enhance your overall experience. It first originated in Adana. It is just 282 calories per serving. 

Urfa Dürüm

Again, Urfa dürüm is made with ground lamb. Black pepper, onion, garlic, and red pepper paste are added to the ground lamb. After kneading, it is skewered and grilled. And Urfa kebab is ready, and it is placed on lavash. Adding tomato and onion will make it taste better. Non-veg wrap will be prepared after wrapping. The difference, though, between Adana and Urfa dürüm is that the first one is much spicier than the other. Drinking ayran or şıra will be better for your dining experience. It is 192 calories. 

Chicken Shish Dürüm 

A non-veg wrap can be made with chicken, and it is a chance for people who don’t like red meat. Chicken shish dürüm is made with chicken breast. Chicken breast is chopped into cubes and covered with a sauce. The sauce is made with thyme, black pepper, cumin, and oil. Then the chicken breasts are skewered and grilled. They are placed in a lavash dipped with herby oil sauce. It’s ready after wrapping! It is 395 calories. 

Antep Dürüm

Antep Dürüm is made with chickpeas. Chickpeas are boiled and mashed. Ingredients are mixed with tomato paste, adding spices. You can put it in a lavash with a spoon and place veggies such as lettuce, parsley. If you want to go extra traditional, you can squeeze lemon inside your wrap before wrapping it. It is also suitable for vegan and vegetarian people as it has no meat. It got famous in Gaziantep. Also, it is 350 calories.

Döner Dürüm

Döner kebab is the most popular food in Turkish cuisine. If you want potato, onion, tomato, these ingredients can be added to the lavash too. You can add spices such as red pepper and sauces like ketchup and mayonnaise. Ayran is excellent with this food. This non-veg wrap is 320 calories. 

Ciğer Dürüm

The liver can be used in some non-veg wraps. Liver pieces are covered with spices such as salt, chili pepper, and black pepper. They are aligned with a skewer, and they are baked and grilled. Ingredients are placed on lavash. Salad with onion, tomato, parsley, and sumac, is then put on lavash. You can drink şalgam or ayran with it. It became famous in Diyarbakir. It is 346 calories.    

Mushroom Dürüm

It is for vegetarians and vegan people. This non-veg wrap has just vegetables and mushrooms. Onion, potato, pepper, tomato, and mushrooms are fried with oil. Add the spices you want, and these ingredients are placed on the lavash. You can drink şıra. Şıra is grape juice. Therefore it is suitable for vegan and vegetarian people. It is 130 calories. 

Places You Can Have Dürüm in Istanbul

When you come to Istanbul, you find restaurants that cook kebab, lahmacun, and dürüm. That will indeed serve you the best dining experience possible. Here are some of them

Dürümcü Emmi

Here you can find kebabs, döner, non-veg wraps, and other foods in Turkish cuisine. This restaurant is in Kadıkoy. Dürümcü Emmi remains open at 7/24.

Dürümcü Baba

Dürümcü Baba can be your choice for your non-veg wrap! Also, the restaurant’s concept is impressive. This restaurant is in Bakirkoy. 

Asmalimecit Dürümcüsu

Asmalimecit Dürümcüsu has provided service for years. Asmalimecit Dürümcüsu is in Beyoglu. 

Dürümcü Raif Usta

Dürümcü Raif Usta is a beautiful and boutique restaurant. It is always filled till closing time. You can eat street foods, and taste traditional Turkish foods in this restaurant. It is in Mahmutpasa. 

Dürümzade

Dürümzade is in Beyoglu. Their special lavash is covered with a special sauce.

Döner

One of Turkey’s most preferred types of fast food is döner, and döner gets its name from the way meat is cooked and cut. After cutting the döner meat, it is mainly eaten by placing it among various pastries such as bread, pita, and lavash, so the döner recipe can be called a Turkish-style sandwich or even a Turkish sub. 

The history of döner making in Turkey dates back to the eighteenth century, and döner is actually a type of kebab in accordance with the way it is cooked. When it is called döner in Turkey, it comes to mind that the meat cut thinly is placed in lavash bread, and a Turkish sub is made. Alternative ingredients such as greens and tomatoes are usually put in this Turkish sub.

If you wonder about how it is cooked, let’s look at this fairly easy but delicious recipe together. In order to get döner meat, you need to use a particular technique because döner meat requires a long and thin stick to be attached and slowly cooked on a fire, after which a huge pile of meat is formed. After that, the cooked meat is cut finely and placed in a lavash made on a wood fire.

Turkish sub is a delicacy that can be easily found in no time, especially preferred by students, and working people. Tomatoes, parsley, lettuce, pickles, ketchup, and mayonnaise are added to this delicious sub. In most regions of Turkey, different types of döner have also been formed over time, and the materials placed in them sometimes change. For example, you can put French fries and garlic yogurt inside the Turkish sub in the Hatay region. But there are two general types of döner:

Chicken Döner

This is a cheaper option and has a bit more variety than its counterpart, which is meat döner. The most common way to eat it is with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a sauce, generally ketchup and mayonnaise. 

Meat Döner

This is the more expensive option and is generally eaten with a much fewer selection of toppings. The traditional way to eat it is with onions, spices, and tomato sauce. 

Other Meat Dishes

Meat dishes for Turks are indispensable delicacies on the tables. Most of the meat dishes in Turkish cuisine consist of kebabs, meatballs, and juicy meat dishes. In Turkish cuisine, meat can be cooked on a wood or charcoal fire, fried, or left for a long time in a tandoor or barbecue.

Of the meat dishes, the most popular ones and those also most attracted by tourists are various kebabs and döner. The kebab dish gets its name from a different cooking method and is quite common in Middle Eastern culture. Kebab means meat cooked directly on fire or without water in a container. When most tourists visit big cities such as Istanbul, they first try these very popular kebabs and döner.

Kebab

Various types of kebabs are made in Turkey and different parts of the world. This cooking method adds flavor to almost any ingredient. Kebabs are very hearty and tasty traditional options. There are also such kebab recipes that you can make at home. Eggplant kebab is one of the most popular types preferred in traditional Turkish restaurants. In many restaurants in Istanbul, you can find the opportunity to try eggplant kebab, which is cooked slowly over a wood fire. This kebab is made by cutting eggplants into thick slices, attaching them to long sticks with meat, and cooking them on the grill. This kebab is also accompanied by some side recipes, onion, tomato, and garlic.
Another very popular type of kebab is the Iskender kebab. This recipe is most famous in Turkey in the province of Bursa. To make Iskender kebab, meat cut into döner will be needed. In Turkey, a meat dish recipe is made by putting thin meat on long sticks called döner on the fire for many hours. After the meat is cooked slowly, it is cut into thin slices and placed on pita bread; then, you can have Iskender Kebab. After that, a buttery sauce is drizzled over the meat, and an unforgettable taste appears.

Fish sandwich, which means "Balık Ekmek" in Turkish, is a street delicacy developed by the adaptation of the seafood and fishing industry, which is very common in the country, to daily life. Balık ekmek, whose price varies between 5 and 30 Turkish liras, became popular in the Black Sea region and then spread all over the country. Fish sandwich, a dish that seafood lovers can often find in the country, is sold in different sizes.

According to your request, it offers a wonderful taste with grilled fish and various ingredients placed between quarter, half, or whole bread. Balık ekmek, a dish that first casts doubt on foreign tourists visiting the country but then amazes with its taste, has become one of the indispensable parts of Turkish cuisine for years.

What are the Ingredients of a Fish Sandwich?

The main ingredients of a fish sandwich, which fascinates tourists with its taste, are, of course, fish. Other ingredients in the bread are determined according to your taste. Norwegian mackerel is the most preferred fish in this street food, which is quite healthy. In addition, you can add greens to the bread and diversify your snack according to your taste. Onion, which is among the most preferred additional ingredients, creates a feast of taste for visitors by blending its sharp taste with the taste of fish. 

At the same time, parsley turns fish into an excellent flavor with its unique taste. Balık ekmek, the source of the fame of the fishermen of Eminönü district, is one of the fast-food street delicacies that must be eaten in Istanbul. This snack, which has a beautiful smell and taste, is loved and preferred in Istanbul and all over Turkey.

What to eat with Balık Ekmek?

The Turkish drink raki is one of the most consumed beverages besides fish dishes. Raki, widely consumed with fish and bread, is among the indispensables of pleasant meetings by the sea in the evenings. In addition, regional ingredients such as ayran, milk, and turnip are among the preferred healthy drinks besides fish and bread. These drinks, mainly preferred by young people, are widely consumed throughout the country as street snacks during the day. This healthy street flavor, which is perfect with various appetizers and dishes such as beans, is the fresher the fish used, the more delicious it is. Fish sandwich, whose ingredients you can customize according to your taste, is one of the unforgettable flavors you should definitely eat when you come to Turkey.

Fish sandwich, which is among the indispensables of Turkish street delicacies as well as raki tables, is obtained from various fish cooked on the grill. This flavor, in which you can put different kinds of fish according to your taste, offers you a satisfying feast of taste. Street delicacies, in which Turkish culinary culture is carried to the west, carry the fast food habits of the west to daily life. These street delicacies, which appeal to everyone from seven to seventy, are exhibited on the streets in every district of Istanbul. 

Street delicacies, which are brought together with their loved ones with a caravan and mobile shop models, start to be sold in the early hours of the morning and continue until the late hours of the night. It is quite possible to come across fish and bread restaurants open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Istanbul.

Where Can I Eat the Fish Sandwich?

Istanbul, where street flavors are famous, and a rush prevails throughout the city, is also renowned for its proximity to the Bosphorus and the famous fresh fish dishes in the city. Istanbul, a cultural bridge, is also one of the rare cities where people from all parts of the country live today. Fish sandwiches, which entered Turkish culture with the spread of street food, became a different flavor with fresh fish and the pleasure made next to the Bosphorus. Eminönü is the district with the most fish and bread shops, which you can find in almost every district close to the sea. 

Eminönü, which is flooded by many touristic places and tourists worldwide, is quite famous for its tiny fish restaurants and street delicacies next to the Bosphorus. This place, which is flooded by shopping enthusiasts, is also one of the places where small mobile fishermen sell a lot. At the same time, Ortaköy is one of the districts where you can eat fish and bread while sitting with your loved ones and enjoying the Bosphorus. Known for being hearty, balık ekmek is also quite healthy. This food, which is a complete source of Omega-3, can be consumed as a snack. Balık ekmek, which is the perfect combination of hearty bread and delicious fish, whets the appetite of visitors with its fragrant smell. 

After tasting the fish sandwich, you can read our blog to discover other beauties and flavors of Istanbul, and you can enjoy the city like a local

Must-Have Snack Kumpir

Kumpir is one of the most popular Turkish food recipes and is suitable for every taste of every culture due to the ingredients it contains. In some places in Anatolia, the word kumpir is also used instead of potato. This Turkish recipe is made by adding some ingredients to the baked potato. Although Kumpir is quite famous in Turkey, it can be said that it is a new recipe made in the country. So what is kumpir, and what are the ingredients you can put inside? 

Turkish recipes have been shaped over the years due to a cultural synthesis that has been going on in the country for many years and different climates. An example of Turkish food recipes influenced by the Middle East, the Balkans, and Central Asia is definitely kumpir. It is believed that the dish kumpir originally came from potatoes cooked in ovens in foil in Yugoslavia and called “krumpir” in its name. According to a rumor, the arrival of the kumpir in our country was made by Bulgarian immigrants, and in Bulgarian, the word potato was mentioned initially as “krumpir.” However, the Turks developed this potato cooking technique and threw the potatoes into large ovens, and then put Turkish-specific appetizers and ingredients in them. 

Kumpir’s Recipe

Kumpir is a must-have snack for locals and tourists, which you can often find, especially in metropolitan cities of Turkey such as Izmir and Istanbul. Kumpir, which is relatively easy to make, is combined with the indispensable flavors of Turkish food recipes. 

Restaurants and cafes that make kumpir usually bake large potatoes by foiling them in large ovens. For making kumpir, you will need quite large potatoes because there will be a lot of ingredients in this Turkish recipe. To prepare this must-have snack, first, the potatoes are washed and dried well, then wrapped in aluminum foil and placed on trays. These trays are placed in regular-sized ovens in homes and wood-fired or large ovens in restaurants and cooked. After cooking in the oven for at least 2 hours, the outside of the potatoes should be soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

After the potatoes are removed from the oven, it will be possible to put the desired ingredients in them. Before putting the ingredients, the potatoes are cut in half, butter and melted cheeses are put in them and turned into mashed potatoes. The appetizers and snack ingredients that will be placed in this must-have snack usually range from sausages, Russian and Italian salads, special Turkish appetizers, mushrooms, roasted peppers, olives, and similar ingredients. You can have your food by choosing any kumpir ingredients offered in buffet form in restaurants. 

Kumpir in Istanbul

In Istanbul, kumpir has become a must-have snack for locals. There are certain points specifically for you to try this delicacy. One of these points is Ortaköy, located in the province of Istanbul because the kumpir of this place is very famous. The first place you can visit in Besiktas-Ortakoy and try this food will be the 1991 Tarihi Ortakoy Kumpircisi. Ortaköy Kumpircisi has developed over time and has started to open branches to some locations while adding different flavors to its structure. Don’t go past this point, which is one of the first places you can think of to eat kumpir in Istanbul.

Another well-known popular place of the kumpir is Bebek Waffle & Kumpir in Ortakoy, Istanbul. While researching on the Internet, this place, which is ranked at the top for kumpir food, gets quite high scores in terms of taste. Therefore, this point is one of the most accurate places to try kumpir, which is among the unique Turkish food recipes.

Another example of an Ortakoy Kumpir place is the Allpato Kumpir, which is very popular. This is the first kumpir restaurant that opened in Istanbul and has been serving its customers since 1990. You should definitely try it at Allpato Kumpir, one of the first places where kumpir is made

Simit, a daily food produced all over Turkey, has managed to become one of the most important parts of the culture and has never lost its popularity among the people for centuries. Generally consumed alone, simit can be eaten with cheese, tea, or jam when preferred for breakfast. It is also one of the indispensable parts of mixed breakfast tables. Today, simit can be prepared and sold in modern bakeries or sold in a wheelbarrow by peddlers on the streets.

Prepared as a practical food for passengers in Izmit, known as the accommodation area of ​​caravans coming to Istanbul or going east from Istanbul, simit can be considered one of the first examples of fast food with this feature. Simit preserved its recipe from centuries ago. It is regarded as one of the important legacies of the Ottoman Empire. The pretzels that those traveling in caravans take with them as snacks have been very effective in spreading its reputation over a wide area. This food, which preserves its taste until today and has an essential place among the people, is among the sought-after fast foods for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Where Can I Eat Turkish Pretzels?

Simit is a delicacy you can find everywhere, in patisseries, cafes, restaurants serving breakfast, peddlers on the road! It is impossible not to come across this flavor, which is among the country's breakfast culture cornerstones. Baked all over the country, regardless of district or city, simit is indispensable for your breakfasts with its biscuit-like crunch. 

How to Make a Simit?

Yeast, one of the raw materials of simit, is dissolved in a glass of warm water. The use of fresh yeast is always better in terms of freshness and taste. For the yeast to hold well and rise, it needs to be rested for a few hours. In this way, the consistency of the dough will be perfect. Meanwhile, warm water is poured into a glass of water and brought to a homogeneous consistency with two spoons of molasses. Flour and fermented dough are taken into a kneading bowl. A sufficient amount of dough is taken, and the middle is opened and mixed with melted yeast and salt. Water mixed with molasses is added slowly, and the dough is started to be kneaded. Pieces of dough are cut off and rolled by hand to form a pretzel. 

A glass of water remaining in a deep bowl is mixed with a spoonful of molasses. Sesame seeds are distributed on a large plate or tray. Prepared dough is dipped in water with molasses and removed. The excess molasses is removed, and the remaining moist pretzels are thrown into the sesame. Simit dough, which has the same consistency as biscuits dough, becomes ready to be eaten. The tray in the oven is lightly oiled, and the pretzels are placed on the tray. It is cooked for a while in large, preheated ovens. It is served hot and crispy. Although making simit requires effort and effort, millions of simits are cooked and consumed daily all over the country.

What are the Simit Prices?

Turkish pretzels, one of the most delicious breakfast dishes in the country, are also one of the cheapest! This food, which costs only a few Turkish liras, is produced to add flavor to your mornings. Simit, whose price varies between 10 lira and 20 lira, can vary in taste according to the regions. The most famous simit recipe of the country is the Ankara simit recipe. Turkish pretzels, which are also produced in buttered versions, are the number one choice for those who want to experience a feast of taste at an affordable price.

What to Eat with Turkish pretzels?

Simit, one of the most popular breakfast items among Turkish dishes, is mostly eaten alone but can also be consumed with breakfast items such as ayran, cheese, tomatoes, and olives. At the same time, this food, which started to be served in the morning hours every day of the week, has become an indispensable part of Turkish culture. Turkish pretzels, served either in rings or sliced, are among the favorite snacks of sesame lovers. Turkish pretzels make the streets fragrant with their appetizing scent. Simit, which is started to be cooked in the early morning hours and is especially preferred by those who go to work, is one of the Turkish culture items that have the easiest recipe but the most difficult to make. 
What you eat with the simit is up to you, but you should know that the best Turkish pretzel is the crispy one! Whether a simit is fresh or not can be understood from both its smell and texture. For this reason, you can enjoy the taste in the best way by choosing pretzels that come out of the oven fresh in the morning. You can read our blog to discover Turkish snacks and Turkish breakfasts that can be eaten with simit and enjoy a long breakfast in the morning!