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Istanbul, where East meets West, is a vibrant city with pride in its rich culinary heritage. Whether you're a fan of street food or luxurious dining, the city caters to every palate. Istanbul, with its rich culinary history and vibrant streets, offers a diverse and delicious array of street foods that are a must-try for any visitor.
Here are some of the most popular and iconic Turkish street foods you can find in Istanbul:
Midye dolma

Midye dolma is referred to as stuffed mussels a delightful street food in Istanbul. It is commonly available in two varieties - midye dolma(stuffed mussels) and midye tava (fried mussels). Midye tava features cleaned mussels that are battered and deep-fried often served on skewers with a sauce called tarator. It can also be enjoyed as a sandwich in a bread roll. Midye dolma is stuffed with flavoured rice, mixed herbs, onions, herbs, pine nuts, and tomatoes. Easily found at restaurants, window counters, and outdoor carts these dishes are the must-try street food of turkey.
Durum

Runny late and wanna grab a quick meal that is both satisfying and easy to carry? We have found you this perfect Turkish street food - Durum, a wrapped kebab. The kebab is carefully grilled and then wrapped in pita bread or flatbread making it a decent option for lunch or dinner. Durum can be served with fries and salad on the side. It also includes various types of meat along with the wrap and is frequently found near busy areas like the Grand Bazaar.
Döner Kebab

It is basically very similar to shawarma. A classic Turkish street food, food from layers of meat stacked on a vertical spit and slowly roasted. It is served in a sandwich format with Turkish white bread, salad, and various vegetables. There is also the İskender Kebab variation, which includes tomato puree and yoghurt. Döner kebab is definitely worth a try in the city of Istanbul.
Balık Ekmek

Are you a sandwich lover? grab this scrumptious grilled fish sandwich, at Balık Ekmek. One of the best Turkish street food - this grilled fish sandwich is often made with mackerel fillets, green salad, and onions, and served on crusty bread. Enjoy this staple street food near the Eminönü, Galata Bridge area, and the Golden Horn with the famous Turkish tea in the evening.
Çiğ Köfte

This particular street food of turkey is offered as a side dish in various kebab shops in the city. Çiğ Köfte is raw bulgur balls, traditionally made with raw meat, mixed with spices and bulgur wheat. The best part is this Turkish street food is that it can be found in wraps and is often vegan.
Simit

Simit - Turkish fast food bagel is a snack that goes perfectly with both hot and cold beverages. A ring-shaped bread coated with sesame seeds is often enjoyed with tea or ayran. Being a popular street food in Istanbul, it can be easily found at any of the bakeries and street food carts.
Kumpir

Tantalize your taste buds with this relishing Turkish street food - Kumpir. It is a simple yet filling dish one can easily depend on, surely locals favourite. This best Turkish street food is nothing much but a baked potato filled with a variety of ingredients such as pepper, cheese, black and green olives, mushrooms, sausage, pickles, mayonnaise and corn. Don't miss out on this traditional Turkish dish!
Gözleme

Crepe-like pancakes are filled with ingredients like spinach, cheese, or minced meat. Gözleme is one of the best Turkish street food and locals favourite! They are a delicious and versatile street food option.
Lahmacun

Often referred to as Turkish pizza, lahmacun is a thin crust topped with minced meat, onions, and spices. It is the proper filling street food of turkey which is typically served with lemon juice and herbs.
Kokoreç

Craving for a late-night snack? Try out this street food in Istanbul which is made from baby lambs intestines. kokoreç is grilled on a charcoal fire and served on bread or a plate with various spice seasonings like olive oil, oregano, lemon and garlic.
Tavuk Pilav

A sinful combination of chicken and buttered rice, tavuk pilav is the best Turkish street food one must never miss! This mouth-watering pilav dish is made with chicken, rice, and chickpeas. It's a common lunch or dinner option for workers and locals alike.
Food tours

For the best Turkish street food and authentic experience, consider joining a food tour such as those offered by culinary backstreets, which take you through less touristic neighbourhoods and introduce you to local favourites like börek, baklava, and the best balik ekmek spots in the city.