Introduction to the Tastiest Street Foods of Istanbul

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

It seems like your message is incomplete. Could you please clarify or provide more context?

Introduction to the Tastiest Street Foods of Istanbul

Istanbul is a paradise for those who love street food. In all neighborhoods and tourist spots in Istanbul, you will undoubtedly find stalls, stations, or vans serving street food. Most of these foods are traditional and healthy dishes from Istanbul, made with fresh and high-quality ingredients. If you are planning a trip to Istanbul and love street food, make sure to read on.

Islak Burger (Wet Burger)

One of the most popular and first street foods in Istanbul is the Islak Burger. This burger, which is much more affordable than McDonald's sandwiches, is made with meat and a special sauce of garlic and Turkish tomatoes. Since it has a wet bun, it is also called "Wet Burger."

Simit

In Istanbul, it’s hard to find anyone from any social class who can resist the smell of freshly baked bread, rolled in sesame seeds, and roasted over fire. If Americans are known for taking coffee in paper cups to work, the symbol of Istanbul’s residents in the early morning should be the simits wrapped in paper, which are best enjoyed with a glass of tea in a small narrow cup.

Köfte Ekmek (Köfte Sandwich)

Köfte Ekmek is a street food from the European side of Turkey. This dish came to Turkey during the Ottoman era after the conquest of the West. Today, köfte sandwich stalls can be found in many parts of Istanbul. The sandwich is made by placing grilled köfte with tomatoes, onions, parsley, and green pepper in a sandwich bun.

Döner Kebab

Döner Kebab, often called "Turkish Kebab" in Iran, is one of the most popular street foods in Istanbul. This kebab is made with lamb, beef, or chicken, seasoned with special spices, and cooked on a rotating grill. After cooking, the outer layers of meat are shaved off and served in pita bread with salad or vegetables.

Tantuni

Tantuni is similar to Döner Kebab but served in a thin, small lavash bread. The fillings consist of meat, tomatoes, peppers, and a mix of spices. There are two types: spicy and regular. The people of Mersin, the birthplace of Tantuni, believe that if it doesn't burn your lips, it's not authentic.

Balık Ekmek (Fish Sandwich)

Along the Bosphorus Strait, you can find various street foods, including grilled fish sandwiches. Fresh fish is grilled in front of you and served in a small, delicious sandwich. Most fish stalls are located in the Eminönü neighborhood, near the coast.

Kumpir

Kumpir, or baked potato, is one of the best street foods in Istanbul. This dish is made by filling a large baked potato with ingredients like sausages, cheese, corn, mushrooms, peas, carrots, and mayonnaise or ketchup.

Börek

Börek is one of the most famous street foods in Istanbul. No matter where you go in the city, you'll find shops selling various types of börek. Spinach börek and cheese börek are the most popular, but you can also order potato or meat and vegetable börek. These delicious bites are often enjoyed while strolling through the streets of Istanbul.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we explored some of the most popular and delicious street foods in Istanbul. Most of these dishes are healthy and can make for a complete and delicious meal after sightseeing in Istanbul. The price of these foods varies, depending on which neighborhood you order from. Street food in tourist areas tends to be slightly more expensive, so it’s recommended to visit quieter areas to try them. Generally, the price ranges between $1 to $3. If you have experienced traveling to Istanbul and trying its street food, feel free to share your experiences in the comments section.