Turkish food is described as the continuation of Ottoman Empire cuisine. The Ottomans fused Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Eastern European, and Balkan cuisines to create one of the world’s most diverse and influential cuisines.
Kebabs and dishes made with lamb figure prominently in Turkish food, but the cuisine varies by region. The western coast is noted for its many olive-oil-based dishes, Central Anatolia for its hearty pastries and the cities and towns by the Black Sea for its abundance of fresh fish.
Here are Turkish most famous sandwiches and wraps you can try when you’re visiting Istanbul.
1. Durum
Durum means “roll” and refers to wraps commonly filled with doner kebab ingredients. It’s one of the most popular types of Turkish street food and can be found pretty much anywhere.
The durum was one of our favorite things to eat in Turkey. We enjoyed it on multiple occasions but the best durum we had was from the popular Durumzade shop in Istanbul. It was featured on the Istanbul episode of No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain.
These doner kebab vertical rotisseries are ubiquitous in Turkey. Seasoned meat (typically lamb, beef, or chicken) is stacked in the shape of an inverted cone and turned slowly next to a vertical heating element. When cooked, the outermost layer is shaved off in thin pieces and served on a plate or wrapped in a durum.
The doner kebab is one of the most important and influential dishes in Turkish cuisine. It’s said to have inspired similar dishes like Greek gyros, Arab shawarmas, and Mexican tacos al pastor.
2. Islak Burger
The unattractive islak burger represents Turkish drunk food at its ugliest and most delicious. These soggy and greasy orange-tinged burgers are dunked in a garlicky tomato sauce before being left to steam in a hamam-style glass box, hence the name “wet burger”.
Islak burgers are moist, chewy, and garlicky. They don’t look all that appetizing but they’re oddly delicious, especially after you’ve had a few beers. It’s impossible to eat just one.
Kizilkayalar in Taksim Square is one of the most popular places to have islak burgers in Istanbul. A favorite among late night boozers, it was also featured on the Istanbul episode of No Reservations.
3. Balik Ekmek
Balik ekmek translates to “fish bread”, which describes exactly what it is — a Turkish fish sandwich. It consists of a grilled mackerel fillet sandwiched in a bun with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and a spritz of lemon.
Balik ekmek is a sandwich best enjoyed by the water. You’ll find several balik ekmek stalls on either side of Galata Bridge in Istanbul.
Source: willflyforfood.net
