Street food in Istanbul: 20 local specialties • Wanderlix

Let's explore together the traditional Stambouliot street cuisine with these 20 local specialties, as amazing as tasty.

In this new guide to Turkey, we take you to the street food scene of Istanbul, which is among the richest in the world. Indeed, Turkey is famous for its simple, efficient and especially delicious street food!

On horseback between Europe and Asia, influenced by the cultures of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, you will be pleasantly surprised by the wealth of Turkish dishes. So don’t hesitate to stop at the kiosks and other snacks you will find on your way!

Mini snacks between visits

You want to regain strength between visit of Sainte-Sophie and one cruise on the Bosphore ? Opt for a comforting snack.

1. Gözleme

These anatolian salt pancakes are made of a very fine, almost grilled paste, traditionally cooked on a dome-shaped heating plate. Inside you will find a stuffing that can be a mixture of potatoes, mushrooms, chopped meat or cheese.

We do not know if the Bretons approve the name of crêpes, but we personally fell under the charm!

2. Midye Dolma

Literally “ stuffed mules”. But stuffed with what, exactly? The stuffing of these mussels is usually composed of rice seasoned with garlic, cinnamon, or peppers and other peppers.

Also, you will be offered a slice of lemon to press on the mussels, as you like. You can ask the seller how many mussels you want, which makes it a great snack to fill a small hollow.

♪ midye dolma would also be the street food of Istanbul the most consumed by stambouliotes...

3. Kestane, misir et badem

We decorate for you: kestane for chestnut, miser for maize and badem For almond. In the different districts of Istanbul, you will find sellers of these three flagship products of local culture.

In winter, you will see grilled chestnut wheels and corn spikes bloom everywhere. Like our hot chestnuts to us, they allow to warm up during a little cool walk.

And in the summer, it's the glazed almonds, buzlu badem who are honoured. You will see funny trolleys with a giant glaze inside, covered with fresh almonds. An ideal snack to regain strength quickly!

Unmissable Turkish sandwiches

Because between two slices of bread, the possibilities are infinite!

4. Döner kebab et dürüm

You see us coming: a trip to Istanbul is not complete until you have eaten a famous kebab! You will have 1 001 choices (at least) of authentic Turkish street food to taste döner kebab .

Let yourself be hypnotized by the pin and choose a simple filling: tomatoes, onions, and marinated cucumbers. You can also choose the wrap option, the dürüm , which usually contains more cheese.

5. Islak Burger

A soaked hamburger stacked with his peers in a small wagon. Are you trying? That way, we've seen better pubs. Yet Islak burger is a must-have sandwich in Istanbul. This delicious mini-burger is steamed, from which are wet!

6. Simit

The French have the wand, the Americans have the bagel, and the Turks have the simit ! These round breads that also remind the bretzel are sold to every corner of the street for a few cents. The simit has crossed the ages since the 16th century and now enjoys cheese or jam.

7. Kasarli tost

A toast of grilled Turkish cheese that you will find everywhere. Simple, very cheap, satisfying and particularly effective.

8. Kokoreç

We hope you have the stomach well in place to taste a kokoreç A sandwich with abats. Specifically, kokoreç honours the intestines of grilled and seasoned sheep with as condiments of tomato and peppers.

Legend says it’s an ideal remedy against too alcoholic evenings...

9. Balik Ekmek

Our last Turkish sandwich consists of slipping an almost whole grilled fish net, lying on a bed of salad-tomate-onion-persil, between two slices of bread. Savorous, you will find some Balik Ekmek (literally breadfish in French) fresh near the ports of Istanbul, like Eminönü.

The pizzas revisited

The Turks have nothing to envy the Italians. Here are two examples of Turkish street food pizza version!

10. Pide

These ship-shaped pizzas are particularly regressive. They usually consist of melted cheese, sausages or minced meat. In addition, you can also opt for pides vegetarians with grilled vegetables.

11. Lahmacun

An ultra-fine paste covered with very seasoned minced meat. It doesn’t take any more to enjoy this Istanbul street food dish that vaguely reminds the famous margarita. If you want to taste lahmacun like a local, fill it with parsley, pour lemon juice, then roll it like a wrap .

The dishes of consistency stambouliote

The street kitchen for the big, very big hungry!

12. Kumpir

This potato cooked in the oven and stuffed with cheese, meat or fish, corn, olives, mayonnaise and other condiments is a legendary street food dish in Istanbul. You will find dozens of stalls in the Ortaköy district.

13. Pilav

A rice dish “to the Turkish” consisting, neither too dry nor too sticky! You can add this rice with meat or chickpeas for example.

14. Börek

Stambouliot cuisine is generous, and the böreks This is a probative example! This kind of phyllo paste sheet comparable to lasagna is a local specialty to be tested in Istanbul. Böreks are sometimes garnished with cheese, vegetables such as spinach, or meat. They are also served at all meals: you will even find breakfast!

Some sweets to soften the palate

Let's go to desserts!

15. Dondurma

A thick and very elastic ice that you will find in small stands across Istanbul. The latter is made with mastic, dirt (orchid tuber flour) and sugar. Sellers, in traditional costume, love to make a show to serve you dondurma : a pass-pass between your horn and the ice ball!

16. Açma

An ideal snack if you need a small softness. This Turkish Donut is particularly popular with breakfast facilities. You can order it with peanut butter or spreading paste.

17. Macun

In the Ottoman tradition, the paste macun used as a remedy in case of illness. Today you will see this confectionery at every corner of the street! It consists of a mixture of herbs and spices, which give a particularly surprising taste. With rainbow colors, paste macun especially for children who roll a stick in this paste to taste it. Try urgently!

The street drink to accompany all this

18. Ayran

You will see it everywhere: it is one of the most consumed drinks in Turkey! In the ayran , you will find the regressive taste of a fresh yoghurt, with a salty aftertaste. This milky drink will thus serve to soften the very spicy dishes.

19. ♪

The ♪ , or tea, is a full lifestyle in Istanbul! Besides, you may be offered one to welcome you to a hotel or to have you wait somewhere.

You will then have many opportunities to sip this fairly bitter black tea, which you can soften with a little sugar. Other advantage, except that of waking up: ♪ are extremely cheap!

20. Kahve

You're more coffee than you are. ♪ ? No panic, coffee is also an element integrating stambouliot culture. Discover this fairly thick coffee that you will usually be served in an Ottoman style cup. And drink it “to the Turkish”: strong, and without milk.

Hoping to put you in an appetite for your trip to Istanbul. What dish of street food in Istanbul are you most interested in? Let us know in comment.