If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably know that food is just as important to us as our travels. We could never follow a specific diet because we can never resist the urge to try the local foods. To us, eating the local food gives us a very good perspective on the culture, people and their daily lives. It would be too disrespectful for not NOT to try the food of the country that we’re in. In this blog post we are going to share some of the top Istanbul street foods and desserts! Something that we’ve truly enjoyed ourselves (less or more) and something not be missed during your stay in Turkey.
Dürüm (Turkish Wrap)
When in doubt, eat dürüm! I know, I know…it’s doesn’t rhyme but it’s actually true. It’s perhaps the mot common street food and it’s very popular among locals and of course foreigners! It’s basically a lavash type of bread stuffed with the filling of your choice. Whether it’s chicken, lamb, veggies - you make the call!
Midye Dolma (Stuffed Mussels)
If you like to get lost in the streets of Istanbul, you will definitely notice quite a few vendors selling a Turkish delicacy - stuffed mussels. They usually have a huge metal metal tray filled with different sized mussels and lemon. In our opinion, it’s even better than the original mussels because these are stuffed with aromatic rice and therefore it’s more filling. The price of these mussels is ridiculously low and sometimes you’ll want to take some home!
Don’t be afraid if the seller suggests putting the mussel in your mouth himself - it’s even more fun that way! You can also try these mussels at any fish restaurant and pair it with the beer!
Balik Ekmek (Fish Sandwich)
Have you ever had a fish sandwich before? Fish finger sandwich doesn’t count! Haha! This unique type of street food can be found while strolling by the Bosphorus. It’s an Istanbul classic consisting of grilled white fish, raw onions, salad placed nicely in a baguette type of brad. If you feel like you’ve had too much bread already and want something lighter - not a problem! You can choose the lavash instead ( thin flatbread, like wrap ). Are you worried about the bones? Don’t be! The vendor removes all of the bones before serving it to you!
Watch our YouTube video for our reaction:
Grilled Sweetcorn and Chestnuts
These can be spotted almost everywhere! Look out for a red push-cart with an umbrella on top and the writing “kestane”. If you’ve ever been to any European Christmas Market, you’ve probably already tasted some grilled chestnuts before. Here in Istanbul, it’s all year round! A perfect “pick me up” snack if you’re feeling a bit peckish! Most of the time, you will also find some grilled corn on the cob along with the chestnuts. Don’t forget to ask for some salt on top! Yummy!
Simit (Turkish Bagel)
Simit is another type of street food that dates back to Ottoman Empire and it is easily accessible anywhere in Istanbul. You will see a ton of red pushcarts dotted around Istanbul selling these Turkish bagels usually covered in sesame seeds. Locals like to grab these on the go for their breakfast. You can also ask a seller to pair it with some nutella or creme cheese.
Kumpir (Baked Potato)
Kumpir is a dish with a kick that reminds us of home. In a nutshell, it’s a jacket potato with a myriad of toppings to choose from. All of the toppings are displayed in front of you, so even if you don’t speak Turkish, just point at whatever you want and the seller will continue piling these on until you’re satisfied! Some of our favourite toppings were: Russian salad, mayo carrots, sweetcorn, sausage and olives!
Kokoreç (Sheep Intestine Sandwich).
Yes, this probably sounds pretty awful, but trust me - it’s tastes 10 times better! It’s unique process is what attracted us to try this dish! The intestines are wrapped around on a long metal skewer which rotates above the coals for up to 3 hours until it’s golden brown. It’s more of a “post-drink” dish because it’s quite greasy and salty, served in a half of a loaf bread and it just hits the spot!
ıslak hamburger (Wet Burger)
Have you ever been on a night out in Istanbul, had a few drinks, got really hungry and didn’t want to order the same old kebab? Well, let me suggest you another alternative - wet burger! Yep, you’ve read it correctly! It’s a small size burger having its own little hamam session with its other piers. Ok, all jokes aside, it’s a very simple burger which contains nothing but beef patty and Some garlicky-tomato sauce. It really is a great option after a night of drinking!
Ice-Cream (Dondurma)
You’ve probably seen something similar around the world, especially in London; a traditional Turkish ice-cream stand and a guy wearing his Turkish hat and a vest, smashing the bells to attract people’s attention! Well, what we are talking about here is some ice-cream! It has originated in Turkey, so therefore you must try it while visiting this beautiful country even though you have tried it before in some other countries! The concept is so unique because of the performance that comes with your ice-cream. I don’t want to spoil it for you in case you haven’t experienced it before, just go and order some Turkish ice-cream on the street, will ya?
Watch our YouTube video for our first time experience:
Tavuklu Pilav (Chicken & Rice)
A very simple yet delicious dish that will keep you full for a day of exploring! You get what it says on the tin - chicken and rice but it can also be topped with some sweet corn and tomatoes.
So here we go! These were some of our favourite Istanbul foods to try and we really hope that you will enjoy them too! If there’s anything else that should be added on the list - comment down below! We would love to know your favourites too!
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