Istanbul is an experience rather than just a city. A lively rhythm is produced by the ringing of the call to prayer across the Bosphorus, the clinking of tea glasses in crowded cafés, and the movement of people through the marketplaces. The cuisine that is served on the streets rather than in palaces or mosques …
A Local’s Guide to Street Food in Istanbul
Istanbul is an experience rather than just a city. A lively rhythm is produced by the ringing of the call to prayer across the Bosphorus, the clinking of tea glasses in crowded cafés, and the movement of people through the marketplaces. The cuisine that is served on the streets rather than in palaces or mosques reflects the true character of the city.
You can discover centuries of history in Istanbul’s cuisine. The smell of grilled salmon by the sea, the crunch of sesame bread rings in your hands, and the richness of sugary desserts are a few examples. What’s the best? Locals also eat street food. What locals consume daily.
Prepare to eat, and together we will discover Istanbul’s culinary scene.
Simit’s Coziness
Imagine taking a morning stroll down İstiklal Street. You can smell the aroma of freshly baked bread from the corner of the newly opened stores. The air is pure. You will find a man removing gold rings along with the sesame seeds. The dish we are talking about here is Simit, which is an ideal and informal breakfast in Istanbul.
The local people just do any of their work and serve it with a little glass of Turkish tea. It has a crispy layer on its top and soft inside. It also has a nutty flavour. When you explore the neighbourhood, you will understand that it is the ideal place for a snack in Istanbul.
Sandwiches: Bosphorous Fish
You can have your lunch at Balik Ekmerk, which is highly recommended by the locals; this place is located near the Galata Bridge. The dish is very simple; it’s just the grilled fish served with lemon, lettuce, and some onions on the bread. However, something is alluring about consuming that sour, smoky sandwich while observing ships pass the Bosphorus.
The food is simple, but it feels like the centre of the city.
Twisted Mussels
You can frequently see plates of glossy black mussels as the streets come alive after the sun sets. These mussels, known as midye dolma, are packed with spiced and seasoned rice. You can squeeze some lemon juice on it and eat it. The taste of the food is so delicious that you cannot stop eating it. The taste is warm, tangy, and a bit salty.
There are many people or residents who don’t stop at one. They while waiting for the vendor enjoy having chats with their friend, while eating mussels. People eat food from the street at this social gathering.
Kokoreç: For Individuals Who Enjoy Trying New Things
If you enjoy experimenting with your food, koreç is the dish for you. Lamb intestines are grilled, seasoned, and then sliced and served with bread. Yes, that sounds courageous. If you will go to the locals then they will tell you that this is the most ordered late-night snacks.
The taste of the dish is fantastic and the main reason for that is lot of heat along with garlic and smoke. You can find a lot of people standing in que to have meal and, you will find this a lot in Taksim.
Kumpir: Comfort Food
The main reason for Ortakoy to become famous is the special kind of potato which is found there which is known as kumpir. The vendors cut the hot potato in half and then blend it with butter and cheese until it’s smooth. You can then top the dish along with the sausages, pickles, corns, and olives.
Börek and Lahmacun are daily favourites
Börek are flaky, golden pastries filled with cheese, spinach, or minced meat that are sold in many of the bakeries that line Istanbul’s streets. They are warm and buttery and pair well with ayran, a readily available salty yogurt drink.
Another dish is lahmacun, also known as “Turkish pizza.” The thin, crunchy bread is topped with ground beef and herbs. It is served folded up with lemon and fresh parsley after being baked hot. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and you’ll want more than one.
A Hot Snack: Çiğ Köfte
Wraps of çiğ köfte, a spicy bulgur mixture that is cut into small pieces and wrapped in lettuce or flatbread, are frequently given away by street vendors. It’s tangy, vegetarian, and has a pleasant burst of spice. When you will add a little bit of pomegranate in it then the food will go from delicious to super delicious.
Delicious Snacks
You know sometimes eating simple is the best. You can see that people are just toasting the chestnut on the streets of Istanbul during the times of winter. If you visit here during the winter then you will smell the aroma of sweet and smoky air of roasting the chestnuts, you can even warm your hands by burning paper corn.
During the summer, the carts serve cooked or grilled and salted corn on the cob. People adore both of these well-known Istanbul dishes for their flavour and the memories they evoke.
Pleasant Conclusions
Any street food adventure must include dessert. There are many fantastic things to do in Istanbul:
- Lokma are little balls of golden dough that are covered in syrup.
- Almonds, honey syrup, and layers of flaky dough combine to create the rich and decadent treat known as baklava.
- Kuenefe is a delicious dessert made with gooey cheese and shredded pastry. After baking until crisp, it is soaked in syrup.
Drinks That Bring the Story to an End
In Istanbul, food is always accompanied by a beverage. In Turkey, çay, or Turkish tea, is consumed throughout the day in tulip-shaped glasses. Ayran is a salty yogurt beverage that is traditionally served with meals.
Like a hug in a cup, salep is a spicy, creamy milk beverage. You can give it the try during the winters. You cannot complete a trip of Istanbul by missing out the Turkish coffee or any of the Turkish delight.
Street Food
- Eminönü: You can just sit next to the water and get along the balik ekmek.
- You will find a lot of options for dinning, so you can choose any of them and enjoy yourself and serve yourselves with delicious foods along with the mussel booths.
- Late-night snacks, candies, and kokoreç can be found on Beyoğlu (Istiqlal Street).
- Ortaköy: It is known for its kumpir along with a majestic view.
- Students can find delicious, affordable food in Beşiktaş.
How Locals Consume Street Food
Here are some suggestions from the community for you:
- If there are many people there, it means the food is fresh.
- You sholud always carry cash with yourself, as there are many places which do not accept card or online payments.
- You dare to have the suprises dishes available in market.
- You should always prefer having some sweet or salty things such as tea or ayran, so that you can keep yourself calm.
In Istanbul, street food is more than just food—it’s a means of fostering interpersonal relationships. You can get connected with rest of the city life, and to the people.
Istanbul has always been known for some of its vert common but very interesting stuffs, such as the roasted chestnuts, which keeps you calm, enjoying and laughing with your friends while having some delicious stuffed mussels. The most interesting part is the Galata Bridge.
Therefore, while you’re here, don’t limit yourself to the familiar locations.
