When you go to Istanbul, you will be able to find a wide variety of food. However, there are some foods that are especially popular. Some of these include Bal kaymak, Cig kofte and Dondurma. All of these are delicious and you should definitely try them!
Gozleme
Gozleme, pronounced ‘gezle’, is a traditional Turkish food dish that originated in the region of Anatolia. It is a flat, lavas bread that can be eaten as a snack or served as part of a meal. The main ingredients of a gozleme include cheese and spinach, but there are also many other filling options.
The basic pastry dough is made from flour and water. Then the filling is added. The gozleme is cooked on a griddle. It can take a few minutes for each side.
The gozleme is usually served with yogurt and pickled vegetables. It can also be served as a wrap.
The best place to try this delicious dish is in Istanbul. There are several restaurants that specialize in this tasty snack. There are also many markets where you can get fresh gozleme. You can buy them at any time of day.
To prepare the gozleme, you need to roll out the dough on a clean countertop. You can use a rolling pin, or an oklava, which is a special convex Turkish griddle. You can add a little oil and spread it around. It is important to make sure the dough is thin. You can also freeze the dough for future use.
After you have prepared the dough, you can start preparing the filling. Some popular fillings for gozleme include spinach, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, onions, and olives. You can also try a variety of meats.
Baklava
Baklava is a sweet dessert of Turkish origin. It can be made from pistachios, walnuts, almonds, and sesame seeds. It can also be served with rosewater and honey. It is usually prepared in large pans. It is usually made from layers of filo dough and topped with chopped nuts.
There are many places to eat baklava in Istanbul. Some of them are famous and some are less well-known. You can try some of the best baklavas in Turkey at the Sekerci Cafer Erol, Gulluoglu Baklava Cafe, and Ali Usta Baklava.
Baklava has a long history in Turkey. It was first introduced in Gaziantep, which is renowned for its pistachios. In the Ottoman Era, Sultans presented trays of baklava to the Janissaries on the fifteenth day of the month of Ramadan. Today, baklava can be found in almost every corner of Istanbul.
One of the oldest and best baklava shops in Istanbul is the Gulluoglu Baklava Café. It has been in business since 1820. It has eleven branches throughout Istanbul. It offers traditional Turkish desserts and experimental creations. It also sends customized gift packages to international locations.
Another popular baklava place is the Hafiz Mustafa, which has two branches on Istiklal Street. They offer baklava, Turkish delight, and other desserts. The Taksim branch is known as the best baklava shop in Istanbul.
Sekerci Cafer Erol is located on the Asian Side of Istanbul. It is a popular place among locals and tourists. It is a great place to go for a snack or dessert.
Cig kofte
Cig kofte, or “raw meatballs,” is a traditional Turkish appetizer. It’s a popular dish in both Turkey and the Balkans, and is particularly popular in the Middle East. You can find it served in restaurants and fast food restaurants. But, if you want to try it, snag an invitation to someone’s house.
Although cig kofte has a spicy flavor, it’s not hot enough to burn your mouth. You can enjoy it with a hunk of fat lemon wedge. It’s also best paired with a cold ayran.
In Istanbul, you can find several cig kofte places. Huseyin, located in Beyoglu, is famous for his red pepper-stained hands. He sells his cig kofte in durum wraps with lettuce. His cig kofte is made with a secret mixture of spices and bulgur.
Another cig kofte place is Orhan Usta in Gaziantep. He uses pistachio nuts in his cig kofte. He also serves nettle soup. But, the best way to experience cig kofte might be to visit a Turkish restaurant. You’ll have a chance to try a variety of cig kofte, including sulu kofte, which is a savory meatball soup.
Some places, such as Develi, serve raw cig kofte. They are rolled in fresh lavash bread. You can also eat cig kofte with pomegranate molasses.
Some cig kofte shops don’t use raw meat at all, but instead, replace it with walnuts. These types of cig kofte are making a comeback in Turkey.
Bal kaymak
If you’re planning to visit Istanbul, you might be interested in trying bal kaymak. This is a traditional Turkish dish, which is usually served at breakfast. It combines a savory whipped cream with honey. The best place to try it is at Boris’in Yeri, near Sultanahmet.
This dish is served with bread. It is often eaten as part of a bigger breakfast, but it can be eaten on its own. You can buy kaymak at grocery stores.
In Turkey, kaymak is a very popular food. It can be eaten with tea or coffee. It is made from buffalo milk, which is usually skimmed from the skin of the animal. It is cooked in a special copper pan.
It is a very popular breakfast dish. It is served with fresh bread. It is also a very messy dish. You should eat it slowly to get the most out of it.
Kaymak is also a famous dessert in Turkey. You can find many different types of kaymak, but the most popular is a cream-filled, rolled log of pastry.
In the past, it was important to consume kaymak at the end of the Ramadan fast. Today, it is a staple breakfast in Istanbul. You can find kaymak in restaurants and cafes. It is especially popular in the eastern and southern areas of Turkey.
There are two main varieties of kaymak. The classic, homemade variety is kol boregi. It is filled with minced meat. Other variations include pacanga boregi, which is deep fried.
Dondurma
Dondurma is a Turkish dish that originated in the village of Maras. The people of the area have been making dondurma from the ice of the surrounding mountains for many years. Now, it is considered the best ice cream in Turkey.
There are several dondurma shops in Istanbul. Some of them are famous. These institutions offer a variety of delicious dondurma. Mini Dondurma has a good selection of desserts and a great lemonade. Bebek’s Mini Dondurma is also a popular place to get dondurma.
In Istanbul, dondurma is served with a chocolate, fruit, or chocolate flavored ice cream. A sweet, gummy ice cream is also available. Dondurma vendors beat the ice cream using metal rods. This helps make the ice cream stretchier.
The word “dondurma” translates to “freezing” in Turkish. The ice cream is made from salep, a plant resin. Mastic is used to add extra elasticity to the dondurma. The dondurma is often topped with chopped nuts or pistachios.
Dondurma shops in Istanbul are located everywhere. Some are open all day long. Some are tucked away in small restaurants. Some have long lines. The doner shop has opened a store in Dubai, the first international store for the dondurma.
The ice cream has a chewy texture that resembles chewy candy. It is available in sliced or cone form. Unlike other ice creams, the dondurma vendor beats the ice cream with metal rods, instead of a machine.
Tantuni
Tantuni is a dish from Mersin, a city on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. This famous dish has become popular throughout the country. A typical tantuni meal includes beef, tomatoes, and peppers. It is often served with a squeeze of lemon. It is easy to find in Turkish restaurants, as well as mobile stalls.
One of the best places to enjoy Tantuni in Istanbul is Besalti Kirvem Tantuni. They serve tantuni on a lavash bread. They also have homemade dumplings.
Another popular food in Istanbul is Pide. The dish is usually steamed or boiled in a fragrant broth. It is topped with butter or yogurt.
Kumpir is another street food. It is a traditional Turkish meal. They come with butter, cheese, and pickles. It is a very filling meal. It is a popular snack in Istanbul, as well.
There are many other local dishes you can try. However, if you’re looking for a more authentic Tantuni, you should visit a restaurant in the city. These restaurants serve the best Tantuni in Istanbul.
If you’re looking for a fast and delicious lunch, you should try Tavuk Pilav. This rice is steamed in a buttery broth. The dish is filled with chicken or beef. The sour taste of the sauce balances the slightly fatty meat.
There are many other delicious foods you can try in Istanbul. However, you may not know which ones are the best.