Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Foods Turkish Traditional Food Istanbul Street Foods

Here’s a list of the **Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Foods**, including traditional dishes and iconic street foods from Istanbul:

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### 1. **Kebabs (Doner & Shish)**
- **Why Popular**: A staple of Turkish cuisine, made with marinated meats grilled on skewers or shaved off a vertical spit (doner).
- **Street Food Appeal**: Doner wraps or sandwiches are widely available in Istanbul.

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### 2. **Baklava**
- **Why Popular**: A rich, flaky dessert made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup or honey.
- **Street Food Appeal**: Often sold by pastry shops and street vendors in bite-sized pieces.

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### 3. **Lahmacun**
- **Why Popular**: Known as “Turkish pizza,” it’s a thin flatbread topped with minced meat, onions, and spices.
- **Street Food Appeal**: Rolled up with fresh greens and lemon juice for a quick snack.

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### 4. **Simit**
- **Why Popular**: A circular sesame-covered bread, similar to a bagel but lighter.
- **Street Food Appeal**: Found on every corner in Istanbul, often sold by red pushcarts.

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### 5. **Meze (Appetizers)**
- **Why Popular**: Small plates of dips and salads like hummus, baba ganoush, and stuffed grape leaves.
- **Street Food Appeal**: Often served with bread at fish markets or casual eateries.

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### 6. **Menemen**
- **Why Popular**: A scrambled egg dish cooked with tomatoes, green peppers, and spices.
- **Street Food Appeal**: Popular for breakfast at small cafes or as a quick bite.

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### 7. **Midye Dolma (Stuffed Mussels)**
- **Why Popular**: Mussels stuffed with rice, pine nuts, and spices, served with a squeeze of lemon.
- **Street Food Appeal**: A must-try in Istanbul, often sold by vendors near the Bosphorus.

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### 8. **Iskender Kebab**
- **Why Popular**: Thinly sliced lamb or beef served over pita bread with tomato sauce, yogurt, and melted butter.
- **Street Food Appeal**: Found in casual kebab shops and eateries.

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### 9. **Kumpir**
- **Why Popular**: A giant baked potato stuffed with a variety of toppings like cheese, olives, sausage, and veggies.
- **Street Food Appeal**: A favorite in Ortaköy and other bustling Istanbul neighborhoods.

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### 10. **Turkish Tea & Coffee**
- **Why Popular**: Tea is served in small tulip-shaped glasses, while Turkish coffee is a rich, strong brew.
- **Street Food Appeal**: Often enjoyed alongside simit or baklava at street-side cafes.

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### Honorable Mentions:
- **Pide (Boat-shaped Turkish flatbread)**
- **Corn on the Cob & Roasted Chestnuts (Street Snacks)**
- **Çiğ Köfte (Spicy Bulgur Patties)**