Travel To Turkey It Is Delicious!
Those that travel to Turkey won’t be disappointed. Do yourself a favour – come hungry! A trip to Istanbul is delicious! Whether it is on the way to Hagia Sopia – the Byzantine church turned mosque turned museum – or down towards Galata Bride and up to Galata Tower, the food choices abound! Each is deliciously Turkish and each is worth trying. Some, like Korkorec – minced sheep intestine wrapped in a pita – may require some culinary bravery to try, but try you should! When in Istanbul you will be rewarded with an abundance of great tastes! Here are some of the foods that we found on our Istanbul adventure.
Ayran:A yogurt drink that is a bit salty and a but tangy. A perfect accompaniment to any spicy food that you may come across. It cools the heat right down!
Borek:Simply cheese and dough wrapped together, Borek is great for breakfast or snack. If desired, there are meat varieties. Great with a nice cup of Turkish tea or coffee!
Balik Ekmek: The simplest of fish sandwiches – Bread, fish, onion, lettuce and some salt. Eat and enjoy!
Baklava:Can anything beat honey, nuts and phylo dough? Not really! Baklava is sooooo gooood and in Turkey it is abundant in all shapes and sizes – there is even chocolate Baklava!
Corn: Sweet corn, boiled or roasted, a great snack that is found at almost every corner!
Durum: Meat or chicken sliced off the iconic vertical spit and wrapped with with lettuce, onion and tomato. The french fries are wrapped inside, too! Nothing says Turkey like Durum and it is delicious.
Gozlem:A Turkish pancake, rolled, stuffed and cooked to order right in the front window of the restaurants. They are delicious stuffed with all variety of fillings including spinach, cheese, meat, and mushrooms.
Kofte:Seasoned Turkish meatballs grilled and served on a roll. Be sure to stop by the local Kofteci and get one. A great lunch or hearty snack!
Kokorec:Stuffed and spiced sheep’s intestines wrapped in a pita or bread. A little bravery and some spicy peppers (and maybe a few beers) makes this a treat that should not be missed!
Kunefe:Whoever thought to wrap cheese in shredded phylo dough, bake it until crisp, soak it in honey syrup and sprinkle it with pistachios was a genius! Kunefe is exactly this and it is a delicious dessert. It sounds odd, but it is worth every cheesy bite.
Lolli a’la minute:The colorful sugar syrups artfully wrapped on a stick right on the spot. Messy, but fun nonetheless.
Midye dolma:Stuffed mussels on an half shell filled with spiced rice and a few drops of fresh lemon juice. A great snack near the Bosphorus river!
Kumpir:Massive, stuffed baked potatoes – packed with all the fixings – even canned peas!
Pickled Veggies:Pickled cabbage, pickles and pickled onion. Sour, salty and delicious.
Pomegranate Juice:Fresh squeezed right in front of your very eyes and available all year round. A delicious and refreshing beverage while touring Istanbul!
Simit:This delight is a simple ring of bread baked, dipped in molasses then dredged in sesame seeds. It is crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Available all about town in Istanbul. Try it for breakfast or anytime!
Turkish Coffee:Thick, robust and tasty (with sugar or without), Turkish coffee is a great pick me up anytime.
Turkish Delight:Who knew that boiled starch covered in powdered sugar could taste so good! Lokum, as the natives call it, comes in a variety of flavors including rose water, definitely worth a try! It’s taste and pleasant chewiness makes it difficult to put down! Make sure to try the natural, mint, fig and nut varieties!
Turkish Tea:Turkish tea is a drink to relax with and a drink to barter over. It is part of everyday culture in Turkey and it makes for a great break. It is used as a welcome gesture in every shop and it is a true mark of Turkish hospitality and friendliness. It is a black tea that, although typically unflavored, can be had with apple or pomegranate essence.
Do you want to know more about the things to see and do in Istanbul> Read here, here and here.
Keep Eating! Keep Innovating!
Have you been to Turkey? What delights did you enjoy when you were there? Let us know all about it in the comments or on Facebook.
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