100 Iconic Turkish Dishes in Turkey

Turkey's culinary heritage is rich and diverse, influenced by its history, geography, and multicultural population. Here's a list of 100 iconic Turkish dishes in Turkey by city or region.

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100 Iconic Turkish Dishes in Turkey

Popular Turkish Dishes Nationwide

• Ayvalık Tostu Pressed sandwich with cheese and sausages.
• Edirne Ciğeri Thinly sliced, fried liver.
• Erişte Hand-cut noodles.
• Helva Semolina or tahini dessert.
• Kuzu Tandır Roasted lamb.
• Mantı Tiny dumplings with yogurt and garlic.
• Maraş Dondurması Stretchy, chewy ice cream.
• Sucuklu Yumurta Fried eggs with spicy sausage.
• Tantuni Spiced meat wraps.
• Tarhana Çorbası Fermented grain and yogurt soup.
• Tavuk Göğsü Milk pudding with chicken breast.
• Yaprak Döner Rotisserie-style doner meat.
• Zeytinyağlı Sarma Grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs.

Istanbul

• Balık Ekmek Grilled fish sandwich, a street-food classic.
• Kol Böreği Flaky pastries filled with cheese or meat.
• Kumpir Baked potato stuffed with olives, sausages, and other toppings.
• Midye Dolma Stuffed mussels with rice and spices, popular at seaside stalls.
• Simit A sesame-coated bread, perfect with tea.
• Sütlaç Creamy rice pudding.

Istanbul Travel Guides: Istanbul Bucket List

Ankara

• Ankara Simidi A firmer, darker variation of simit.
• Ankara Tava Lamb and rice pilaf seasoned with spices.
• Beypazarı Kurusu Crunchy butter cookies.
• Çubuk Turşusu Pickles from Çubuk, famous for their crispness.
• İnceğiz Çorbası Lentil, wheat, and yogurt soup.

Bursa

• Bursa Şeftalisi Juicy peaches unique to Bursa.
• Cantık Flatbread with minced meat topping.
• İskender Kebab Thinly sliced doner meat served with yogurt, tomato sauce, and butter.
• Kayhan Köftesi Meatballs mixed with parsley and spices.
• Kemalpaşa Tatlısı Sweet cheese balls in syrup.

Izmir

• Boyoz Flaky pastry, eaten with eggs and tea.
• Izmir Köfte Baked meatballs with potatoes and tomatoes.
• Kumru A sandwich with sausage, cheese, and tomatoes.
• Midye Dolma Stuffed mussels with spiced rice.
• Şambali A semolina-based dessert.

Antalya

• Citrus Marmalade A tribute to Antalya’s abundant orchards.
• Hibeş Tahini dip flavored with garlic and cumin.
• Kabak Tatlısı Pumpkin dessert with walnuts.
• Piyaz Bean salad with tahini and lemon.
• Toros Salatası A salad with wild herbs from the Taurus Mountains.

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Gaziantep

• Ali Nazik Kebab Grilled meat on smoky eggplant puree.
• Baklava Rich pastry layered with pistachios and syrup.
• Beyran Çorbası Spicy lamb and rice soup.
• Fıstıklı Köfte Meatballs with pistachios.
• Katmer Buttery pastry with pistachios and cream.

Hatay (Antakya)

• Fellah Köftesi Bulgur meatballs in tomato sauce.
• Kaytaz Böreği Savory pastries with meat and onions.
• Künefe Shredded phyllo dessert with cheese filling.
• Oruk Bulgur and meat croquettes.
• Tepsi Kebabı Baked ground meat kebab.

Diyarbakır

• Ciğer Kebabı Liver kebabs grilled over charcoal.
• Diyarbakır Karpuzu Enormous watermelons.
• Duvaklı Pilav Rice pilaf topped with minced meat.
• Kaburga Dolması Stuffed lamb ribs with rice and spices.
• Meftune Slow-cooked lamb and vegetable stew.

Adana

• Adana Kebab Spicy minced lamb kebab.
• Analı Kızlı Dumpling soup with spicy meat.
• Bici Bici Sweetened ice dessert with syrup.
• Karakuş Tatlısı Deep-fried dessert soaked in syrup.
• Şalgam Tangy turnip juice.

Şanlıurfa

• Ayran Aşı Yogurt soup with mint and bulgur.
• Çiğ Köfte Bulgur and spice patties (now usually vegetarian).
• Lahmacun Thin, crispy flatbread with spiced minced meat.
• Şıllık Tatlısı Sweet crepes filled with walnuts and syrup.
• Urfa Kebab A milder, flavorful kebab.

Trabzon

• Akçaabat Köftesi Grilled meatballs unique to Akçaabat.
• Hamsili Pilav Rice pilaf with anchovies and dill.
• Karalahana Çorbası Black cabbage soup.
• Kuymak Cornmeal dish with melting cheese.
• Trabzon Ekmeği Sourdough-style bread.

Erzurum

• Ayran Aşı Cold yogurt soup with herbs.
• Cağ Kebabı Lamb kebab on skewers.
• Kadayıf Dolması Walnut-stuffed shredded pastry.
• Lor Dolması Stuffed grape leaves with fresh curd.

Konya

• Bamya Çorbası Wedding soup with okra and lamb.
• Etli Ekmek Thin flatbread with minced meat topping.
• Fırın Kebabı Slow-roasted lamb.
• Mevlana Böreği Pastry with a cheese filling.
• Tirit Toasted bread soaked in meat broth.

Malatya

• Analı Kızlı Meat and bulgur dumpling soup.
• Kağıt Kebabı Lamb cooked in parchment paper.
• Kayısı Tatlısı Dried apricots stuffed with walnuts.
• Malatya Kömbesi Spiced bread for festive occasions.
• Pestil Dried fruit sheets.

Van

• Kavut Toasted wheat flour dessert.
• Keledoş Lamb and chickpea stew.
• Murtuğa Egg-based breakfast dish.
• Otlu Peynir Herb-infused cheese.
• Van Kahvaltısı Lavish breakfast spread with honey and cheeses.

Kars

• Erişte Çorbası Homemade noodle soup.
• Kars Gravyeri Gruyere-style cheese.
• Kars Kaşarı Aged cheese from the region.
• Kaz Eti Smoked goose meat.
• Piti Lamb stew with chickpeas.

These dishes showcase Turkey’s diverse culinary culture, where every region boasts unique flavors and cooking traditions.

Afiyet olsun! Enjoy your Turkish meal!

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