A Food Lover’s Guide to Traditional Turkish Cuisine
The ancient city of Turkey (formerly Istanbul) is famed the world over for its remarkable Hagia Sophia mosque, Turkish coffee, and bustling culture. However, that’s not all it’s known for. Turkish cuisine is one of the most eclectic in the world. So, if you want to sample it in person, you’ll require a Turkey tourist visa that will let you travel there. Let’s explore more about it below before we discuss Turkish Cuisine.
What is the Turkey Tourist Visa?
It is a digital document issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the authority of the Government of the Republic of Turkey. You can only use the Turkey tourist visa to visit Turkey for tourism or commerce.
The application process for this Visa is quite simple. You will just have to visit the Turkey Visa Application Form fill up all the relevant details, enter your payment method details, and pay the required fee.
Then you’ll receive your visa after a processing period of around 1-2 days. You can stay for either 30 days or up to 90 days with this visa.
For more information about your Turkey tourist visa, you can get in touch with us. Now, let’s continue talking about Turkish cuisine.
The Rich History of Turkish Cuisine
When you look at the historical origins of Turkish cuisine, you will find that people had already adopted staples like meat, dairy products, grains, and other vegetables like eggplants, etc. in the Nomadic Period.
Native Turkish people had also started to use wheat freely in wheat in their clay ovens. Furthermore, you could also find dishes like Manti, or dumplings and Bugra, which referred to the stuffing-filled lump of dough.
They also stuffed their other vegetables, and pasta, which is still a common practice today. Pastoral Turkish natives also introduced skewered or split chunks of meat, and grilled cheese and yogurt. We now know the spitted meat as kebabs.
In the 11th century, rice, fruit, and different varieties of fish also became part of Turkish cuisine.
Turkish Cuisine Essentials for First-Time Visitors
If you’re curious about the popular ingredients used by Turkish people in their daily lives, then refer to the sections below for more information.
Some of the most common ingredients Turkish natives use are Cinnamon, Rosewater, Tahini, Feta Cheese, Yoghurt, Tomato, Walnuts, Pistachios, Paprika, etc.
They use cinnamon since it introduces a certain sweet and spicy flavour and aroma in all their dishes. On the other hand, Tahini adds a sweet and tangy taste to their dips and sauces, while Feta cheese leads to a salty flavour.
Furthermore, they use tomatoes as part of salads, sauces, dips, etc. One of their oldest ingredients is pistachios, which was said to have been eaten in Turkey in about 7000 BC.
Top Traditional Dishes You Can Savour in Turkey
Some of the most popular dishes that you should sample when you visit Turkey with your Turkey tourist visa can be divided into the following categories:
Breakfast Regulars: Simit, Menemen, and More
While often mistaken for a bagel, the Turkish Simit has its own distinct personality, as it is bread that has been coated with sesame seeds and is crisp and soft on the outside, and inside respectively. Most people generally have Simit with Turkish Tea.
On the other hand, Menemen can also be referred to as ‘Turkey’s answer to scrambled eggs’, though the natives have added their own touch to it.
They use ingredients like green pepper, tomato, eggs, and spice to add a diverse mix of flavours. This particular dish is served with bread.
Iconic Main Dishes: Kebabs, Köfte, and More
The Turkish Shish Kebab is a particular favourite since it combines the taste of spitted meat and the aromatic smell and flavour of various spices and herbs.
You can have this during lunch, or dinner, along with other side dishes like a Moroccan Caucasus Salad, Spicy rice with chickpeas, and more.
Another iconic main dish that you can sample is Kofte.
They are meatballs prepared from ground beef or lamb. After that, they are seasoned with onions, herbs, and other spices. Turkish natives generally have this dish with rice, bread, or salads.
Vegetarian Delights:
Some popular veg dishes that you can try when you visit Turkey are Enginar Kalbi, or artichoke hearts that are served with lemon juice and olive oil preserve, Shaksuka etc.
Shaksuka is made from roasted potatoes, eggplants, and tomatoes. They are then covered by a rich tomato-onion sauce and served with a side of yogurt.
Regional Specialties across Turkey
You can divide these specialties into 3 main categories, that is, Aegean Coast dishes, Central Anatolian dishes, and Black Sea Region Dishes.
Aegean Coast: Olive Oil-Based Dishes
The Aegean Coast is known for its olive oil-centric dishes like Zeytinyagli Patlican, which is a combination of Peppers, Onions, Eggplants, Garlic, and Tomatoes which are cooked in Olive Oil.
Some other dishes include Çökertme kebabı, or veal kebab, İzmir köfte or İzmir meatballs, Boyoz, which is a pastry, Zeytinyağlı Barbunya or pinto beans and olive oil etc.
Central Anatolia: Hearty Meats and Pastries
When you visit the Central Anatolian region with your Turkey Tourist Visa you can expect to have dishes like Ankara tava, which is similar to biriyani, but with a Turkish twist. You can also sample dishes like Keşkek, that is chicken or lamb stew.
If you’re looking for something sweet, you can opt for pastries like the Su Boregi, Burek, Katmer, Gozelme, etc.
Black Sea Region: Fresh Fish and Corn-Based Dishes
Finally, when you touch upon the Black Sea Region, you can sample Anchovies or Hamsi, Mısır Ekmeği or cornbread, mısır ekmeği or cheese and butter cornbread. These dishes demonstrate the region’s agricultural past.
You can also choose to have Hamsi with rice or a casserole.
Desserts and Sweet Treats in Turkish Food
Everyone loves a nice dessert to have after a long meal, or series of meals. So, read on to explore some Turkish desserts that you should not miss out when you visit Turkey with your Turkey tourist visa.
The first on the list is the globally well Baklava, which is a sweetmeat made from layers of phyllo dough, and stuffed with crushed pistachios. It is then soaked in a sugary sweet honey and lemon syrup after being baked, which gives it its trademark taste.
Next up on the list is the Lokum, or Turkish Delight, which is quite a popular favourite, and which is commonly used to counter the bitterness of traditional Turkish coffee.
You can also go for Künefe which is a string pastry coated in a sugary sweet syrup, which contains unsalted goat’s cheese. This leads to a rather unique flavor, which you will surely enjoy.
As far as beverages are concerned, you can go for Turkish Tea, Boza, Turkish buttermilk or Ayran, Fermented turnip juice, etc.
Eating Out in Turkey
Whenever you get tired of eating in your own hotel, you can always ask the concierge or hotel manager for popular nearby restaurants or Lokatans. Make sure to choose one frequented by a lot of locals, since that will help you understand more about the quality of the food served there.
Some common phrases you can keep in mind are ‘Merhaba’ or hello, Günaydın and ‘İyi akşamlar’ for good morning and good evening respectively.
You should also keep phrases like ‘Boş masanız var mı’ for asking if they have a free table, Rezervasyonum var, or yak for the presence or absence of a reservation.
If you wish to order food, then you should keep phrases like Bakar mısınız or Excuse me, Bir menü alabilir miyim, lütfen or a request for the menu, Sipariş vermek istiyorum for ordering.
When ordering, use phrases such as ‘Bu ne kadar acı’ which will clarify the spiciness of a dish, ‘Herhangi bir vejetaryen yemeği var mı’ for asking about vegetarian dishes, and so on.
Some dishes you can try are meat rolls or Döner, Börek, etc. which we’ve spoken about previously.
Planning Your Journey to Turkey
We would recommend you to visit Turkey between March and May, or September to November as the weather remains quite pleasant in these periods. Apart from that, you should pack appropriately, as per the prevailing weather during your desired travel window.
Furthermore, you should carry documents like a scanned copy of your electronic Turkey tourist visa, your passport (which should remain valid for at least 6 months after your trip), 2 recent passport-sized photographs, proof of income, and documents showcasing your hotel bookings.
This will ensure that you can enjoy a hassle-free entry into Turkey. Happy travels!