As you begin traveling across Turkey, you probably might have thought that the food is largely confined to kebabs, Döner, Durum, chopped salads, and items observed on most Turkish restaurant menus. However, while the country has been known for numerous conquerors and migrants, the nation comprises an array of culinary regions. Regardless of whether it’s all about the appetizers, juices, the main course, or desserts, Turkish dishes would surprise your loved ones. So, here’s a glimpse of some of the dishes you can savor at Turkey. Well, the list doesn’t stop here as
there are many more dishes that are simply irresistible.
Ezogelin Corba
Way back in history, this dish got its name from a married woman, Ezo who really had been trying hard to win the heart of her mother-in-law through something delectable. This dish is nothing but a zesty soup with a blend of tomato paste, red lentils, and grated fresh onions and tomatoes with chili flakes sprinkled at the end. Being the most common soup served along with Turkish cuisine, you can relish this soup with lemon wedges. The soup was originally prepared in Gaziantep and has always been on top of the list of girls who are going to get married in due course of time.
Baklava
If you wish to amaze your family with something unique, then Baklava is what you could order from the menu. Unarguably, this sweet filo pastry has always been the most popular dessert in the country. The pastry consists of many layers which are filled with chopped nuts and these are held together with honey or syrup. Even though the origin of this dish is not known to date, it’s a common dessert that restaurants serve along with Arab, Turkish and Iranian cuisines. In case if you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of your city, then you could check out Turkey Leisure Tours and plan a trip right away.
Dondurma
Have you ever thought about eating ice cream with a knife and fork? Well, if that’s on your list, then you should surely try out traditional dondurma. Prepared from milk, this dessert is a perfect blend of two ingredients, mastic, and sahlep. With Kahramanmaraş being the origin of this dish, the dish with Sahlep enhances the flavor through the smooth, velvety finish. On the other hand, mastic enhances the flavor to a great extent.
Menemen
Without any doubt, Menemen is considered a breakfast item with plenty of scrambled eggs cooked well in shallow-fried vegetables. While the dish is not very much different than Shakshouka, the creamy flavor is owing to the eggs beaten thoroughly. For scrumptious breakfast, you could try these scrambled eggs with bread slices and some olives grown in someone’s backyard. As you order the dish, you can always request to pep up the scrambled eggs with pepper, paprika, onions, and oregano based on your preference. If you’re actually looking forward to exploring Istanbul
a bit more closely, then you could check out our leisure tour itinerary for Turkey.
Meze
Meze is yet another dish that can be considered an appetizer and, among starters, in Turkish cuisine. Traditionally, Meze consists of fried squid, stuffed mussels, and octopus salad served with sliced ripe melon, special sauce, and yogurt whisked with pieces of garlic and cucumber. Once you start, you may ask for more as a single plate may not pack your stomach. But, in Lebanon, Cyprus, and Syria, meze makes up a sumptuous meal you had never thought about.
Kumpir
Among the must-have snacks, Kumpir is something that you shouldn’t miss trying. In simple terms, Kumpir is none other than a baked potato, which you would observe while strolling across the streets of Turkey. As the potatoes are sliced midway, it’s filled with butter and kaşar cheese. However, for a never-like-before experience, you can insist on filling the baked potato with mushrooms, sweetcorn, pickles, and even Russian salad. If you stop by a café in Istanbul, then even more ingredients can be relished along with jacketed potatoes.
Lokum
Lokum is nothing but confectionaries that taste just synonymous with marshmallows. So you can imagine these to be sweets you may think about exchanging on festive occasions. The desserts are in the form of cubes flavored with lime water or rosewater. But, in July, when festivals are celebrated with pomp and show, you may come across numerous variations of these delights. Even though the precise origin of these Turkish Delights is not known, such kinds of sweets are thought to be as ‘Throat Comfort’ in the Arab world.
Mercimek kofte
Known as belluh in local dialect of the inhabitants of Diyarbakır, Mercimek kofte is sure to be a Turkish delight you may have never imagined before. While these are prepared from red lentils, chopped onions, and hot pepper paste, they are presented in small nuggets just as you would observe at a food joint. You can savour these with a little bit of lemon juice and rolling it up in a lettuce leaf. Think about such kind of delights to satiate hunger soon after an all day long trip across one of the cities in Turkey. If meatballs is what you’re fond about always, then also try Inegol kofte.
Pide
Well, who can resist a different kind of pizza which could be the centerpiece of your meal? Pide has always been a favorite among Turks, with dough balls rolled to form an elongated base. Not just that, the base is topped with many fillings, with spicy Turkish sausage being most popular among tourists. Eventually, it’s the crisp and crunchy crust that wins the hearts of many. As the base lies flat across the platter, you can season it with assorted spices and everything else of your choice. Feel free to go through the itinerary of tours around Turkey just in case you plan to take a long break to set your mind free away from the city.
Perde pilav
If you haven’t heard about Perde pilav, it actually hails from Siirt, a province located near Turkey’s southeast. In layman’s terms, it’s a rice-based dish embellished with buttery dough baked in an oven. Most of the time, Perde pilav is served on ostentatious occasions like a traditional wedding. However, it tastes absolutely delicious because it’s prepared with almonds, currants, butter, and pine nuts. When presented on the table, the dish tends to remind you about a new home that is deemed to be managed with every passing generation.
Before we wind up, we would request you to research well for a memorable and hassle-free trip. It would help if you also referred to books to be familiar with the most common Turkish words. Way ahead, you should ensure to pack your bags with decent clothes that don’t appear too elegant and fashionable. If you are about to visit Turkey in summer, it’s necessary to pack sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from intense sunlight. Additionally, you need to consider tea as an indication of hospitality if you happen to visit a family during the tour.