Turkey Essentials

🇹🇷Adana, Turkey

Adana Kebab

Adana Kebabı

Spiced ground meat pressed on a skewer and grilled, the fiery signature kebab of southern Turkey.

🇹🇷Istanbul, Turkey

Döner Kebab

Soslu döner

Meat carved from a rotating spit, the portable meal that conquered the world from Turkish streets.

🇹🇷Turkey

Pide

Cantık pidesi

Turkish flatbread boat-shaped and filled with meat or cheese, the perfect handheld meal.

🇱🇧Lebanon

Lahmacun

Լահմաջո

Thin crust topped with spiced minced meat, the Turkish pizza that locals eat folded.

🇱🇧Lebanon

Turkish Coffee

Türk Kahvesi

Finely ground coffee simmered slow in a cezve until it foams — poured small, drunk slowly, never rushed.

🇹🇷Turkey

Börek

Boşnak böreği

Crispy phyllo pastry filled with cheese or meat, the savory turnovers that appear at every Turkish

🇵🇸Nablus, Palestine

Knafeh

كنافة

Shredded pastry around stretchy cheese from the southeast, pulled screaming-hot from the oven and drowned in syrup.

🇧🇦Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dolma

دلمه

Grape leaves or vegetables stuffed with rice and spices, the elegant meze served cold or hot.

🇱🇧Lebanon

Baklava

بقلاوة

Phyllo pastry layered with nuts and honey syrup, the dessert that made Turkish pastry famous.

🇹🇷Turkey

Cacık

Yogurt with cucumber and dill, the cooling meze and sauce that balances spicy Turkish food.

🇧🇬Bulgaria

Simit

Геврек

Sesame-crusted ring bread sold from Istanbul carts and bakeries, eaten with tea at any hour.

🇹🇷Kayseri, Turkey

Mantı

Мантуу

Tiny Kayseri dumplings filled with meat, served with garlic yogurt and spiced butter.

🇹🇷Aegean Region, Turkey

Menemen

Eggs softly scrambled with tomato and green pepper in olive oil, scooped straight from the pan with bread.

🇬🇷Greece

İmam Bayıldı

Μελιτζάνες ιμάμ

Eggplant stuffed with onions, tomatoes, and olive oil, a classic Turkish vegetable dish.

🇹🇷Mediterranean Region, Turkey

Piyaz

Zeytin piyazi

Mediterranean Turkish bean salad dressed with tahini, lemon, onion, and herbs.