Istanbul Street Food – Part 2 |Istanbul Turkey Real Life Travel Experience
Nar Suyu
The pomegranate is an extremely important fruit to the Eastern people’s cultures and traditions, as well as their diets. The ruby red pomegranate actually has roots leading back to Persia, which is history fitting of this majestic fruit. It’s one of the world’s most ancient foods, and it’s a symbol of fertility! This native Eastern fruit is a must when travelling.
In Turkey, it is known as ‘nar’, and it can be found everywhere during the winter! Turkey has become an attraction site for its freshly squeezed pomegranate juice or nar suyu, and it’s not surprising why!
As well, oranges can be mixed in with the pomegranate juice, or you can drink it alone.
Either way – it is amazingly delicious and such a thirst quencher!
Akide / Macun
Akide candy was invented in 16th century at a time when sugar was very expensive and more valuable than honey. The word “akide” comes from Arabic and means “faith and loyalty.” One of the most important discoveries of Turkish confectionery, akide candy is a cultural symbol of “eating sweet and talking sweet” (a famous Turkish saying). There is an amazing little shop off Istiklal street that makes it like they first did when they opened in 1926! Üç Yıldız Şekerleme – make sure to check it out!
Macun (in Turkish also Macun şekeri) is a soft, sweet and colorful Turkish toffee paste. It is a street food that may be prepared with many herbs and spices.
Ingredients to flavor macun have traditionally included bergamot, cinnamon, mastic, mint, rose, lemon and plum.
Simit
Simit, gevrek, bokegh, or koulouri is a circular bread, typically encrusted with sesame seeds or, less commonly, poppy, flax or sunflower seeds, found across the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire, and the Middle East.
Simit’s size, crunch, chewiness, and other characteristics vary slightly by region. It’s best in the morning when it’s so fresh… mmmmmm!
Pastries
Lots of delicious breads with spinach and all sorts of yummy goodness snuck inside. Paired up with a strong Turkish coffee and you’re good to go!
Lokma
Lokma are pastries made of leavened and deep fried dough, soaked in syrup or honey, sometimes coated with cinnamon or other ingredients.
Donor Kebab
You will find Donor shops EVERYWHERE in Turkey and rightfully so! This delicious and quick snack is filling enough and so savoury!
Doner is a type of kebab, made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, like how they make Shawarma meat. Seasoned meat stacked in the shape of an inverted cone is turned slowly on the rotisserie, next to a vertical cooking element. The outer layer is sliced into thin shavings as it cooks. The vertical rotisserie was invented in the 19th-century Ottoman Empire
Sandwiches
Cheap sandwiches in kiosks are most every too – for very cheap!
Nuts
The Turks are crazy about their nuts. Not only are a huge variety of nuts grown across Turkey but you can find that sweet, woody taste in many of the popular Turkish dishes on tables in restaurants and homes all over the country.
Hazelnuts, pistachios and chestnuts are the most popular!
BONUS: Pistachio Chocolate
My go-to chocolate that I eat while in Turkey AND bring home!
I hope you enjoyed this culinary journey through some of the Street Food of Turkey! If you have others I have missed, let me know your favourites in the comments!
