I recently had the privilege to visit Türkiye for the very first time. And, let me tell you, it was an absolute foodie’s paradise.

From the vibrant culture to the delicious food, there was so much to explore and experience. One of the highlights of my trip was trying the local street food. Here are the 5 street foods I would highly recommend trying when you’re in Türkiye!

Popular Street Foods in Turkey

Kumpir

Kumpir in Istanbul
Credit: @JoesDaily

If you’re looking for a filling and delicious snack, then Kumpir is the perfect option. It’s essentially a baked potato stuffed with a variety of toppings, including cheese, sausage, vegetables, and sauces. It’s sure to keep you full and satisfied!

Watch how this particular Kumpir was made in my TikTok video here.

Döner Kebab

Döner kebab in Istanbul
Credit: @JoesDaily

Another popular street food in Turkey is the Döner Kebab. It’s made with meat cooked on a vertical spit and served in a wrap with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and other condiments. It’s a great option for a quick, easy, and delicious meal.

Watch the Döner Kebab being made on my Instagram Reel here.

Simit

Simit in Istanbul
Credit: @JoesDaily

If you’re looking for something quick, easy, and delicious, then Simit is the perfect option. It’s a circular bread covered with sesame seeds and served with cheese, jams, and other sweet or savory toppings. It’s the perfect snack to enjoy while you explore the city. You will find vendors selling Simit throughout the city and it is very affordable. Unlike its cousin, the chewy bagel, Simits are crunchy! Probably my favorite breakfast treat before adventuring out into Istanbul.

Gözleme

Gozleme
Credit: Emilia’s Food Cravings

Gözleme is a savory flatbread filled with cheese, spinach, potatoes, or other fillings, and then cooked on a griddle. It’s a great option for a quick and tasty lunch or dinner.

Midye Dolma

Street food vendor serving Midye Dolma Midye Dolma is flavorful stuffed mussels

Last but not least is Midye Dolma. It’s a stuffed mussel, usually filled with rice, currants, pine nuts, and spices. It’s a great snack to enjoy while you’re out and about!

I have so much more to share with you from my gastronomy tour in Türkiye, so stay tuned for those posts over the next few months. In the meantime, head over to my Instagram and TikTok to see some videos I shared from my week in Istanbul and Gaziantep.