The tales of the heritage of Ottoman cuisine leave an unforgettable mark upon the hearts of many. The appetisers on the one hand and the desserts on the other, offer a truly remarkable experience to crave.
Apart from the top delicacies, Turkey is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations to explore and offers a wide range of activities to indulge in. However, to visit Turkey, one has to get a Turkey visa, or if you have a Schengen, UK or US visa, you can simply apply for a Turkey e-visa.
Furthermore, for all food lovers, the Turkish food menu simply has it all! This being said, we see that the awe and splendour of Turkish foods continue to exist worldwide.
While the Turkish dishes may be difficult to pronounce on one end, the taste will truly leave you mesmerised. Let’s look at some of the Turkey street food options to taste-
The Best 6 To-Go Foods In Turkey
1. Kumpir
Kumpir is one of the most popular street foods to try in Turkey. It is a simple dish that consists of a baked potato or even roasted potato which is then mixed with several toppings.
As far as the topping choice is concerned, you can always personalise it. In places like Ortaköy in Istanbul, you can find vendors offering a wide range of ingredients to make the dish more interesting!
2. Menemen
Menemen is particularly a breakfast dish made up of spicy eggs that are made by adding oil, tomato, peppers and spices. It’s usually paired with bread, perhaps chunks of bread to enhance the taste.
3. Iskender Kebap
Iskender Kebap is another popular dish to explore on your Turkey expedition. It is a five-star dish eaten in various parts of Turkey and continues to be a top food to try. It consists of thinly sliced döner kebab meat (lamb or beef) and is served with pide bread, rich tomato sauce and yoghurt.
4. Lahmacun
Lahmacun is like a pizza that is served with a topping of minced meat, salad and lemon juice on bread. Other things can be added to it and it can be eaten by wrapping in half.
The best part of this Turkish pizza is the Mediterranean spices that completely enhance the taste. It is a popular street food that can be eaten by further adding tomatoes, lettuce, parsley and lemon.
5. Meze
Meze is also known as “Lokum” in Turkish, which is a traditional sweet confectionery that has occupied a special spot for people for several years. It comes in a variety of flavours and you can pick your favourite one. The most popular meze dishes include baba ganoush, falafel, hummus, tabbouleh and halloumi cheese!
6. Baklava
When all is said and done, an ideal sweet dish is the perfect way to add to your trip. The famous Baklava of Turkey is another food option, which should surely not be missed. It is made up of layers of phyllo pastry and filled with utmost sweetness!
Also read – A Grand Tour in Austria: Top Places to Visit in Austria
Things to Know When Visiting Turkey
Before visiting Turkey, it is essential to know some basic things. Let’s have a look at the weather, currency, and other details about the country.
1. Best Time to Visit and Weather
The best times to visit Turkey are the months of April, May, September and October. This is because the weather in these months is pleasant and ideal for exploring the various tourist places in Turkey.
2. Currency
The Turkish Lira is the currency of Turkey. It is abbreviated as TL. 1TL equals INR 2.58. Thus, if we look economically, then Turkey is a cheap country to visit from India.
It is advised to buy lira in Turkey to get a better rate. However, it should also be kept in mind that there is often volatility in Turkey’s currency. Due to this, Euros can be accepted as the main currency when visiting Turkey.
3. Top Attractions
Some of the top attractions you can visit include- The Bosphorus Ferry Ride, Ankara Castle, Aqua Vega Aquarium, and the incredible Dolmabahce Palace.
4. Transportation
The intercity private bus network is the best and most feasible way to travel within Turkey.
Bottom Line
From food to the top tourist attractions, Turkey awaits you with the best. So, if you wish to plan a trip to Turkey, Cappadocia invites blooms in the months of June and July, while the ancient sights still remain crowd-free. If summer tan doesn’t scare you, you have nothing to lose but all the vacation opportunities ahead of you.
