Turkey is a nation that is stimulating in all your senses, yet to people who love food, it is a paradise. Having a rich history, a vibrant culture, and a unique geographical location, being a bridge of Europe and Asia, Turkish cuisine is a mirror of the centuries of cooking tradition. The smoldering smell of the kebabs ordered at a street stand to the sensitive sweetness of the baklava, each meal has a story behind it and it is a story of culture and taste. As a tourist who wishes to venture out of the normal tourist attraction sites, eating local food is a must-have among the experiences of being in Turkey. This Turkey food guide will assist you to manoeuvre through the must-have foods and drinks and snacks that dominate the food scene of this action-packed country.
Visit to Turkey is always better planned with guided tours on food as a companion. The best way to do this is by taking Guided Tours in Turkey where you can sample the original dishes besides reading their history and regional differences. It is so easy to visit cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Gaziantep by taste since Turkey Vacation Packages usually offer itineraries that revolve around food. To have an experience of similar magnitude, Go Kite Tours can provide guided tours experience that will include both sightseeing and a culinary adventure, so that each customer will go home with not only warm memories in his or her heart but also an enhanced understanding of Turkey as a country and its culinary traditions.
Here are some A Food Lover’s Guide to Turkey: Must-Try Dishes on Your Trip
Savory Dishes You Can’t Miss
Kebabs
The food guide on Turkey is never complete without indicating kebabs. These are the most recognizable dishes that are different in each region but are universally popular. Döner Kebab is a fast street food with the thin slices of marinated meat cooked in a rotisseries, which are in the form of a vertical structure. Adana Kebab, however, is a spicy minced meat delicacy, which originated in the southern part of Turkey and it typically is grilled on skewers and it is served with flat bread and fresh vegetables. A perfect meal that can be served to meat lovers is Shiş Kebab, which consists of pieces of meat (or vegetables) that are grilled on skewers. These can be tried by tourists during the food tours provided by the Go Kite Tours, during which they usually visit the traditional kebab houses as well.
Meze
Mezze is a collection of small meals, which is better to share and enjoy a variety of tastes at one table. Popular meze dishes are hummus, spicy Ezme, dips made of yogurt and stuffed grape leaves called Dolma. These starters offer a contrast of sensations and flavors and are usually served with fresh bread and a serving of raki, the anise-flavored Turkish beverage. Dining in Turkey on guided food tours, one local food experience I have undertaken and enjoyed was the tasting of a wide array of meze platter, which does not only fulfill the palate but also aids in getting to know the local food habits.
Lahmacun
Lahmacun is a flat bread that is crispy and thin, with a slop of minced meat, herbs and vegetables commonly known as Turkish pizza. It is normally accompanied by fresh lemon and parsley and you could roll it up to make a curb-side roll. Lahmacun can be a dish that is tried anywhere in Turkey as long as the person in question is following this Turkey food guide whether it is in a busy Istanbul neighborhood or a quieter provincial one.
Manti
Manti are dumplings, which are small in size, stuffed with ground meat and accompanied by a sauce made of yogurt and garlic, usually topped with melted butter and herbs such as paprika and sumac. These little bites might look basic but the mixture of spongy dumplings and yogurt with its tangy taste will be remembered as a significant gastronomic experience. Guided Tours in Turkey usually make a visit to family owned restaurants where Manti is made to give a real touch of home cooked Turkish style.
İmam Bayıldı and Gözleme
Vegetarians will Savor İmam Bayildi which is an eggplant dish filled with onions and garlic and tomatoes, and it is commonly referred to as the Imam fainted since it is so delicious. Gozleme, however, is a flat-based bread which is cooked in a griddle and stuffed with spinach, cheese, or any other vegetable. Both the dishes emphasise the ingenuity and versatility of the Turkish food and are commonly included in Turkey Vacation Packages with a food theme.
Menemen
Menemen is a breakfast dish that is simple and rich in taste and is prepared by cooking scrambled eggs which are mixed with tomatoes, peppers and onions. It is usually cooked with spices and it is accompanied by fresh bread. It is also popular with many visitors that beginning their day with Menemen at a local cafe is the ideal way to introduce oneself to Turkish culture of breakfast, which is also presented in Go Kite Tours breakfast-oriented guided tours.
Sweet Treats to Savor
Baklava
One cannot go through Turkey without trying baklava. This is a thick dessert that is composed of layers of crispy filo pastry that has been stuffed with chopped nuts and soaked in sweet syrup or honey. The difference within the country consists of pistachio, walnut, and almond fillings. A lot of Turkey Vacation Packages involve the tours to the popular pastry shops where the tourists can observe the process of making baklava of their own and have a full-sense experience.
Lokum (Turkish Delight)
Lokum or Turkish Delight is a soft and chewy confection, usually sprinkled with powdered sugar and scented with rosewater, pistachios or other natural products. It is a nice gift and an excellent snack after a tiring day in sightseeing. Go Kite Tours usually visit some of the confectioneries in the area where the tourists are supposed to taste and buy these customary sweets.
Dondurma
Dondurma is an elastic Turkish ice cream, which is characterized by its creamy texture and non-melting quality. Vendors usually entertain their customers with some tricks as they serve them and hence it is not only a dish pleasing to the taste but also a sight. Spending your vacation in Turkey, sampling dondurma is one of the most entertaining and interactive activities which all food lovers would enjoy.
Breads & Snacks
Simit
The Simit which is a round bread ring layered with sesame seeds is usually taken in breakfast or taken as a snack. It has excellent crunchy outer and soft inner parts that would appeal to the travelers who are always on the move. Simit can be found in street-stands and local bakeries in which you can find freshly baked products, which will help you feel like you are living in Turkey.
Börek
Boerek is a savoring pastry which is prepared of thin sheets of dough and usually stuffed with cheese, minced meat or vegetables. This is an all-purpose meal that is served at bakeries, cafes and homes in Turkey. The guided tour of Börek helps to understand the Turkish baking style and the value of fresh and local products.
Alcoholic beverages to go with your food.
The Turkish coffee is not only a drink, but a feeling. Turkish coffee is rich, strong and usually accompanied by a slice of Lokum as a must-have snack to the visitor. Ayran is a refreshing yogurt beverage that is used to balance spicy meals and is a must during eating. Most Tours in Turkey have beverages tasting and thus provide a total culinary experience to the travelers.
Conclusion
A trip in Turkey is not complete without the food. Whether it is sizzling kebab or small meze plates, sweet baklava or bite-chewy Lokum, every single dish is a dish that is representative of the rich heritage of the country. Based on this guide to Turkey food, each meal becomes a trip into the Turkish culture where the tourist can enjoy the art of local food.
You have to be really smart to enjoy the trip, so you can also Guided Tours in Turkey with the Go Kite Tours. Their highly edited travel programs not only include bestseller sights, but also introduce you to the local food culture. By visiting Go Kite Tours, you will be able to discover the untold secrets, taste the local cuisine, and leave behind the memories that will bring you joy a long time.
It may be a breakfast of Menemen in the mornings, a snack of Lahmacun in the streets, or a sweet bite in the ending with Dondurma, Turkish cuisine will be a tasty and a diversified culinary experience. All the food lovers who are going on vacation need to do business with Go Kite Tours in order to take a smooth and tasty trip in the central part of Turkey.
