After almost 5 months in Turkey it's time for a small culinary resume

Favorite Turkish foods

Let me say this first: I’m not a foodie. While I certainly appreciate good food I will not usually go to great lengths to get it, let alone line up at a restaurant for 20 minutes to get seated.

That being said I will admit that I had held higher hopes for the Turkish cuisine: many dishes I have tasted so far were quite plain, dry even, and often lacking in flavor.

That might change as I travel further: My experience so far is only based on food from the Western part of Turkey.

Food Top 10

  1. Ev yemekleri
    “Home cooked food”, usually a small family restaurant with an assortment of different pre-cooked dishes
  2. Döner dürüm (from Donas)
    Döner in Turkey comes without garlic-yoghurt sauce and is usually less tasty than in Germany. The meat wrap served at the “Donas” chain though is exceptionally tasty and at about 10 TL very affordable
  3. Iskender
    A buttery, tasty meat over bread dish served with tomato sauce and yogurt
  4. Piyaz
    I don’t know much about the traditional recipe, but the Antalya style variant of this bean salad with Tahin (Sesame) that I got to try once was absolutely delicious
  5. Kahvaltı
    The traditional breakfast comes with a rich assortment of vegetables, cheese and spreads
  6. Köfte
    Basically meatballs; always served with a small green pepper, tomatoes and rice or bread
  7. Kumpir
    A baked potato served with cheese and different toppings of choice
  8. Gözleme
    A pancake-like pastry filled with cheese, spinach
  9. Börek
    A dryer version of Gözleme, often filled with spinach, cheese, potatoes or meat
Kumpir: baked potato with cheese and all kinds of shit on it!Kumpir: baked potato with cheese and all kinds of shit on it!Bambi Cafe, Eminönü, IstanbulKahvaltiKahvaltiBesiktas, IstanbulIskender, one of my favorite foods (beware, loads of butter in there)Iskender, one of my favorite foods (beware, loads of butter in there)Kahvalti - Turkish breakfastKahvalti - Turkish breakfastKüff Yeldeğirmeni, Kadikoy, IstanbulKöfteKöfteKahvalti - Turkish breakfastKahvalti - Turkish breakfastMangal: a traditional Turkish barbecue, here with friends in BergamaMangal: a traditional Turkish barbecue, here with friends in BergamaBergamaA small breakfast served at a hotel in BodrumA small breakfast served at a hotel in BodrumBodrumPoor man's dinner: Cigköfte, bread and AyranPoor man's dinner: Cigköfte, bread and AyranBodrumPasta with tomato sauce and lemon: simply the best self-made meal when on the roadPasta with tomato sauce and lemon: simply the best self-made meal when on the roadI should've taken the photos before eating but I cann assure you the Bluefish was rather tastyI should've taken the photos before eating but I cann assure you the Bluefish was rather tastyFor the sweet tooth: Kaymak (basically cream) and honey over breadFor the sweet tooth: Kaymak (basically cream) and honey over breadI'm normally a big fan of Köfte, but this particular dish served by Usta Dönerci in Antalya was easily the worst food I have eaten in TurkeyI'm normally a big fan of Köfte, but this particular dish served by Usta Dönerci in Antalya was easily the worst food I have eaten in TurkeyUsta Dönerci, MarkantalyaKünefe, a cheesy-sweet dessertKünefe, a cheesy-sweet dessertPiyaz (Antalya style) with Tahin (Sesame oil/paste)Piyaz (Antalya style) with Tahin (Sesame oil/paste)

Desserts Top 5

  1. Salep
    A thick and milk-like hot drink which is made from Orchid’s flour
  2. Baclava
    Many know and love this sweet pastry. The pistachio filled variant is clearly the best.
  3. Sütlaç
    Milk rice pudding
  4. Künefe
    A mild, deep fried cheese served with sweet sauce