Turkish cuisine offers a wide variety of delicious and unique street foods. One such dish is simit, a sesame-seed bagel that is a popular breakfast food. Simits are often enjoyed with a cup of strong Turkish tea. Another popular choice is döner, a type of shawarma made with thinly sliced meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Döner is served in a warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and is a staple of Turkish cuisine. For those who prefer something vegetarian, çiğ köfte is a great option. Made with bulgur wheat, walnuts, and spices, çiğ köfte is a healthy and flavorful dish

Simit: The Turkish Sesame-seed Bagel

Simit is a traditional Turkish breakfast food that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is not only covered with sesame seeds but also prepared with different flavors such as black cumin and poppy seeds, is an indispensable part of Turkish breakfast. Eating a hot simit fresh from the ovens of simit shops in Istanbul is a different pleasure. Fresh simit is usually consumed with cheese or Turkish jam.

A fresh simit, especially by the sea, accompanied by tea is one of the best ways to start the day energetically in the Turkish way. The crispy exterior and soft interior of the simit leaves an unforgettable taste on the palate.

Döner Kebap: Turkish Shawarma

Döner in bread is one of the first options that comes to mind when it comes to street food in Turkey. Usually made of beef, lamb or chicken, döner is marinated with special spices and slowly cooked on a vertical skewer. The thinly sliced ​​meat is served between crispy bread or a soft loaf by expert hands. Fresh ingredients such as tomatoes, lettuce, onions and pickles are added between the bread to further enhance its flavor. Some vendors serve döner with spices such as chili pepper or isot for those who want a spicier taste. Hot, fresh and filling, döner between bread is one of Turkey's fast and affordable food options. It is especially common in döner shops in big cities and can be found at almost any hour, making it a favorite street snack for both tourists and locals.

Kumpir: Delicious Baked Potato

Kumpir offers a mini feast with the variety of ingredients added to a large baked potato. In addition to cheese, butter, sausage, and corn, different protein sources such as olives, pickles, salami, and even chicken or meatballs can be added. Kumpir is especially popular in Ortaköy in Istanbul. The kumpir sold in Ortaköy is usually consumed with a sea view and offers an unforgettable experience.

Midye Dolma: Stuffed Mussels

Fresh mussels collected from the Marmara Sea are stuffed with rice, onion, dill, and spices. Its flavor increases even more when consumed with lemon juice. You can usually find stuffed mussels on the seaside, on boats, or at small stalls. The light and refreshing flavor of stuffed mussels is especially preferred in the summer months.

Islak Hamburger: Steamed Hamburger

Prepared by pouring plenty of tomato sauce over the meatballs placed between soft bread and exposing them to steam, wet hamburger is one of the favorite flavors of young people in particular. For those who like it spicy, ketchup or hot sauce can also be added. Wet hamburger is often preferred by students and employees as it is a fast and practical meal option.

Lahmacun: Turkish Pizza

Lahmacun, prepared with minced meat, pepper, tomatoes and spices on a thin dough, is baked in the oven and is usually served with plenty of arugula and lemon. You can eat lahmacun folded or in a wrap. It is also very delicious when consumed with pickles or hot sauce. Lahmacun is a flavor that is especially famous in Adana and the pleasure of eating lahmacun in Adana is different.

Kokoreç: The Turkish Grilled Lamb Intestines

Kokoreç, obtained by mixing lamb intestines with spices and cooking on the grill, is a delicious and satisfying street food. Kokoreç is usually served between bread and with pickles and onions. Kokoreç is a flavor consumed especially late at night and is usually purchased from street vendors.

Çiğ Köfte: Raw Meatballs

Çiğ Köfte, prepared with bulgur, pomegranate syrup, spices and various vegetables, is a healthy and delicious option. It is served in lettuce or lavash. The spices used in preparing çiğ köfte may vary depending on the region. Raw meatballs are a great alternative for both vegans and vegetarians.

Tantuni: Turkish flatbread with grilled meat

Finely chopped meat or chicken is mixed with spices and oil and cooked on a sheet pan. It is served between lavash or bread. Tantuni is a street food that is especially famous in Adana and is consumed with pickles and hot peppers. Tantuni is a flavor that is consumed on the streets at night and gives energy.

Balık Ekmek: Fish Sandwich

Balık ekmek, which has become the symbol of Istanbul, is prepared with fresh fish, onion, tomato, greens and lemon. It is sold especially on fishing boats located on the coast of the Marmara Sea. Eating balık ekmek with a sea view is a separate pleasure. Balık ekmek is usually preferred as lunch or dinner and is indispensable for seafood lovers.

Tips for Enjoying Turkish Street Food

Shop from Fresh and Reliable Vendors: To enjoy street food at its best, make sure to shop from popular and popular vendors. Density indicates that the food is consumed quickly and served fresh.

Check Prices: Prices of different street food may vary depending on your location. Choose vendors that offer reasonable prices according to portion size. Although prices are generally reasonable, you may encounter high prices in touristic areas.

Pay Attention to Spices: Spices play an important role in Turkish cuisine. If you do not like hot or heavily spiced foods, you can tell the vendor when ordering. In this way, you can experience the flavor that best suits your taste.

Pay Attention to Hygiene Rules: Choose stalls that look reliable and hygienic. Vendors who pay attention to hygiene rules and use gloves or tongs, especially in foods sold outdoors, are more reliable.

Try the Flavor on Site: Some street food is much more delicious, especially when served fresh. For this reason, it is best to consume your food right there after receiving it. This suggestion is especially important for hot flavors such as bagels, döner and wet hamburgers.

Try Different Flavors Depending on the Region: Different street flavors stand out in every region of Turkey. Don't forget to try the street flavors specific to that region in the city you are traveling to.

Let's Go to Türkiye and Try the Turkish Street Food 

Turkish street food is an indispensable part of our culture and cuisine. These unique flavors offer a different story and taste at every corner, providing visitors with an unforgettable experience. The variety of foods offered on the streets have become a favorite of both locals and tourists with their affordable prices and practical presentations. On your next visit to Turkey, make sure to take the time to discover street food and experience the rich culinary heritage of Anatolia with every sip. Enjoy!