What Are the Main Turkish Traditional Foods?

Introduction

Turkish food is a diverse, multicultural cuisine that’s influenced by the region’s many neighbouring countries: Greece, Persia, and Russia, amongst others. And while there are many dishes that have been adapted and changed by the country’s various cultures—some for better and some for worse—there are still plenty of Turkish traditional foods that are packed with flavour and authentic ingredients, mainly in Turkish restaurant Birmingham. So if you’re planning on visiting Turkey soon or just want to try something new at home, here’s what you need to know about what makes these classic Turkish meals tick.

Kebab

One of the most popular traditional foods in Turkey is kebab. A kebab is a grilled meat dish, usually made from lamb or chicken. It can also be made from beef, veal, fish and other kinds of meat. Turkish cuisine, it is often served with bread such as pita or lavas (flatbread). Kebabs can be served fast-food style at restaurants called lahmacun which serve this Turkish speciality along with other types of mezes such as börek (pastry) and simit (ring-shaped bread).

Pilaf

Pilaf, a rice dish, can be eaten at any time of day. It’s served with a variety of meats and vegetables and can even be served as the main course for lunch or dinner. A pilaf is a type of pulao that is made with rice cooked in broth with onions, herbs, spices and vegetables. As with other Turkish foods, there are certain rules for making a pilaf: You must use long grain white rice or basmati (a kind of long-grain white rice). The difference between these two types of rices is that basmati has an aromatic flavor profile while regular white rice doesn’t have much flavor at all; however both are used widely throughout Turkey to make their signature dishes like this one.

Dolma

Dolma is a type of stuffed vegetable dish that’s common in many countries, including Turkey. It can be made with grape leaves or peppers, and even cabbage leaves! In Turkey, it’s generally served with yogurt and olive oil on the side.

Paklava

Paklava is a sweet pastry made of phyllo dough, filled with chopped nuts and/or pistachios and syrup. There are different types of paklava:

• Künefe is a variation of paklava made with cheese (usually feta or kashkaval) in the middle instead of nuts or syrups. You can find it in many parts of Turkey, especially the Aegean region.
• Güllaç (also known as rahat lokumu), which means “lift-me-up” in Turkish; it’s made from flour, sugar and rosewater; eaten generally at breakfast time. This one also has its own variety that is more sweet than savory called börek güllacısıssentially just pieces of börek dough drenched with syrup!

Baklava

Baklava is a popular Turkish dessert that is made of thin layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened. It is usually served as an accompaniment to Turkish tea or coffee. Baklava is also very popular in the Middle East, where it’s often eaten during Ramadan.

Döner

Döner kebab—layers of meat stacked on a vertical spit and roasted over an open flame. It is the quintessential street food in Turkey. It’s also one of the most popular fast foods in Germany, where it originated. The word döner is Turkish for “turning” and refers to how the meat is turned while roasting. In Turkey today, you can find almost any type of meat or seafood used as filling for döner kebabs: doner kebapçısıs (kebab shops) are everywhere! But if you want to make your own at home, try this recipe from Serious Eats. When it comes down to it though, there’s no topping a good döner when you’re traveling through Istanbul—and there are plenty of places where locals love to eat them! Check out this list by CNN Travel for some recommendations about where to go for some delicious Döners.

Menemen

Menemen is a traditional Turkish breakfast dish that is made with eggs, tomatoes, peppers and onions. It can be served with pide or bread and is a good source of protein. Menemen can be eaten for breakfast or lunch and it’s an excellent appetizer at parties.

Gözleme

Gözleme is a Turkish flatbread made with unleavened dough that can be filled with cheese, meat or vegetables. It is cooked on a griddle then topped with butter and honey. Gözleme was developed in Anatolia, the central region of Turkey. The word gözleme means “eye” in Turkish; the name comes from its shape which resembles an eye (round and flat). Many Turks enjoy eating this dish for breakfast all around Turkey. But it is especially common in Eastern Thrace (the European section of Turkey bordering Greece) where locals call them tepsi borekti (tepsi meaning tray).

Ayran

Ayran is a traditional Turkish drink made from yoghurt, water and salt. It’s a refreshing drink that can be served with kebabs or other traditional Turkish dishes. It is also a good source of protein and calcium.

Conclusion

Turkish foods are delicious, and there are so many to try. It is healthy, affordable, and easy to make at home. You can find Turkish foods in restaurants or grocery stores. We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of traditional Turkish foods, and that it has given some insight into the cuisine. If you ever visit Turkey, try out these dishes for yourself!