6 Street Foods To Try in Istanbul

Street food is one of the main pillars of cuisine when it comes to Turkish food. Due to the fact that the country lies in both Europe and Asia, many traditional Turkish dishes are heavily influenced by these cultures as well as the Mediterranean diet and past Ottoman recipes. When traveling to Turkey as a tourist, it can be helpful to know which street delicacies every foodie should try during their travels. 

Alright, I’m going to be honest with you here- I am NOT the most adventurous eater. There, I said it. When it comes to travel, I’m a little more hesitant to try food I’ve never seen before (with the exception of dessert). When visiting Turkey though, I did try quite a few dishes, and my boyfriend tried new things pretty much every meal. Some of our favorite street foods to look out for are outlined below!

Turkish Street Food You Won’t Want to Miss 

1. Dorian's Pick: Döner Kebap (Kebabs) 

When most people think of Turkish food, they immediately think of a kebap. This street food is so popular that many countries mimic it to this day. Roughly translating to the word “rotating”, kebaps can be made from lamb, chicken, or beef, and get their name from being slowly roasted on a vertical spit.

2. Rachael's Pick: Simit

I am STILL obsessed with these. Similar to an American bagel, tourists will often find street vendors selling these from a cart. For only a few more cents, you can usually get some cream cheese or nutella to go with it as well. These are SO GOOD for a quick snack or breakfast when you’re on the go and looking to sample something local. 

Our Top 4 Shared Favorites

3. Hazelnut Turkish Delight 

There are two different kinds of Turkish delight. One is more gelatinous, with a similar texture to Jello but a little bit thicker. This type comes in flavors like rose, cherry, orange, lemon, etc and it is covered in cornstarch. The other kind, our favorite, resembled a sushi roll and was composed of nougat and other popular toppings, like pistachios, hazelnuts, etc. We could not get ENOUGH of the Hazelnut Turkish delight at the Grand Bazaar. We each got two rolls of this flavor to bring home to our families and they were eaten in record time. 

4. Turkish Black Tea

Turkish black tea is arguably the most common drink you’ll find in Turkey. Served after every meal, the Turkish see sharing tea with one another as a sign of friendship. For this reason, whenever you are making a big purchase you will likely be offered tea. When I sat down in a lamp shop to look at different types of ceiling lamps, we were offered tea and Turkish delight. 

5. Semolina Cake With Ice Cream 

As mentioned before, I am a picky eater. Usually when someone tries to get me to try something, I won’t. This is one of those instances where I was persuaded. Our amazing guide, a free-lance tour guide named Selim Puler, took Dorian and I on a walking tour throughout Istanbul. While a main focus of our tour was history and visiting the main attractions like the Hagia Sofia, Grand Bazaar, etc., Selim also placed a large emphasis on having us sample the food. About 5 minutes away from the Grand Bazaar, we stopped at a street stall for semolina cake with ice cream. After refusing all the other food we stopped to try, I thought it was time to finally try one-and wow, was I glad I did. 

Semolina cake is not a sweet cake. It is not made with eggs, flour, or milk like traditional cakes but instead uses semolina (flour made from durum wheat), plain yogurt, and a few other basic ingredients. It’s then served warm a la mode and it is AMAZING. If you’re a little pickier when it comes to meats, like I am, opt for sampling some of the local desserts. You won’t regret it.

6. Ice Cream

When you order ice cream from a street cart, you aren't just getting a delicious frozen treat- you're getting an experience. After you choose the flavor of your ice cream, the ice cream seller will make your order and then play an elaborate trick on you! The seller will put the ice cream in your cone and then quickly catch it in their other hand before it falls. This is all part of the fun, so don't be alarmed!

Don’t Forget to Try turkey's Food!

Food is a major part of Turkish culture and Istanbul is no different. Street food is a popular way to eat in Istanbul, with many locals grabbing a quick bite to eat from one of the city’s many vendors. While street food may not be the healthiest option, it is often delicious and can be a great way to experience the local cuisine. If you are planning a trip to this beautiful city, be sure to sample some of the street food. You may just find your new favorite dish!