The thriving Turkish street foods scene in Istanbul provides a wide range of mouthwatering and reasonably priced options that pay homage to the city’s rich culinary history. An overview of some of the most well-known Turkish street meals in Istanbul is provided below:
1. Simit (description): A circular bread (also known as a Turkish bagel) coated in sesame seeds.
Where to Find: Little bakeries or street sellers pushing red carts around the city.
Serving Suggestion: Have it as a quick on-the-go snack or with tea.
2. Balık Ekmek (Description): A fish sandwich with onions, lettuce, and lemon juice on a crusty bread roll, usually made with grilled mackerel.
Where to Find: Along the coastline and close to the Galata Bridge.
Is it safe to eat street food in Istanbul?
There is no need to panic when eating street food in Istanbul because the municipality has given certificates to the vendors. However, while eating, you should observe the cleanliness of the stall and eat things so that your health is not affected.
Street Food Prices in Istanbul
The price of street food in Istanbul varies depending on the place and region, where and how much food you order. A low-income person can also buy and eat. Street food in Istanbul costs between one and three dollars.
Islak Hamburger (Wet Burger)
This is the most famous street food in the city of Taksim in Istanbul. They are very tasty and cost about one dollar. On Saturday, you have to stand in line to buy a burger.
Kokorec
If you go to Istanbul and don’t eat Kokorec, it’s deprivation. It is the most famous street food. Furthermore, it is an excellent dish for food lovers. Not only that, but it is a favorite dish of the local people. The best time to eat it is at night.
Simit
Simit, also called bagel in Turkish, is a ring-shaped bread available in smart Istanbul markets and bakeries Its beauty attracts lovers.
Çiğ Köfte
Çiğ Köfte is a well-known tasty dish from Turkey that is worth trying due to the combination of its taste and the history behind it. In addition, commonly prepared with bulgur, minced meat, and selected spices, it is a very old recipe that has been popular mostly in southeastern Turkey.
Balık Ekmek (Fish Sandwich)
Balik Ekmek or fish sandwiches, are famous street food in Istanbul, you can find stalls, especially along the beach, and their taste is so delicious that you can’t leave without eating them. . It is a traditional food of Istanbul. This delicious sandwich costs about two to three dollars.
List of famous fish restaurants in Istanbul
- Balıkçı Kahraman
- Kıyı Restaurant
Meat or chicken doner kebab rolls
If we talk about the most famous street food in Istanbul, then doner kebab is at the top of the list. It is made with salad, vegetables, and onions, and served in a bread roll, which makes a very tasty meal.
Kumpir
It costs about four dollars and the ingredients needed to prepare it include chicken, sage peas, corn, olive oil, butter, mayonnaise, and cheese.
Midye Dolma (Stuffed Mussels)
Dolma is one of the most common Turkish street foods in Istanbul. There are Dolma stalls of different flavors everywhere, in Istanbul restaurants, and even in the streets. It costs about half a dollar. If you visit Istanbul, don’t forget to try them, especially at breakfast time.
Famous Turkish Street Foods
Kestane Kebap
These are the only kebabs in Istanbul that use corn instead of meat. This is a popular street food. You can find stalls everywhere in any season, especially in the winter. It would not be wrong to say that this food is from the Ottoman Empire. Their shape is similar to Kestane kebabs, so they have been given this name. This simple, cheap, and delicious dish is a must-eat in Istanbul.
Nohutlu Pilav (Chickpeas and Pilaf)
Pilaf is the famous street food of Istanbul, adding color to the food of Istanbul. The famous restaurant of Istanbul, unkapanı pilavcısı is also famous because of its pilaf. It is more fun to eat by walking in the street than in restaurants. It is very delicious.
Midye Tava (fried mushrooms)
Midye Tava is a famous street food sold by street vendors and restaurants in Istanbul. It is mostly eaten in coastal areas; ORTAKOY and KUMKAPI are included in these areas. To prepare it, you need olive oil, lemon juice, chutney, salt, and other hot spices. If your appetite is high, you can try it with bread.
Koçan Mısır & Közde Mısır
Don’t forget to try the taste of Istanbul corn! If we talk about the price of grilled or boiled corn, it is the cheapest street food. The flavor doubles in summer and spring in Istanbul. It is served hot, so be careful when eating it.
Halka Tatlısı (Ring-Shaped Dessert)
It is a favorite food of Istanbul people. The best place to buy it is Eminonu, Istanbul. It costs about $2. It is used more when there is a death or birth among Turks. However, it is cheap and delicious street food.
Lahmacun
It is a flatbread made with ingredients such as meat, vegetables, tomatoes, red peppers, and spices. In Armenia, it is known as Lahmun, and in Turkey, it is known as Lahmacun and Sfiha Armanniye in Lebanon. It is one of the most famous dishes in Istanbul.
kahvesi (Turkish coffee)
Turkish coffee has been a favorite of Turks since the Ottoman Empire, especially traders. The dark brown coffee is brewed using ground coffee beans and served in a cup of copper cezve. Is good enough to get rid of the tiredness of the whole day. Likewise, the foam that comes up from boiling increases one’s appetite. You can use sugar as much as you like.
