The Most Interesting Turkish Foods with a High Level of Authenticity

Turkey is a world-famous country. And this is not only for its natural and historical beauties but also for its unique flavors in the cuisine. By unique flavors, we mean the country has some of the most interesting Turkish foods that will surprise you.

Competing with world cuisines with olive oil dishes, desserts with milk and sherbet, a wide variety of stuffed dishes, and many more local flavors… So, those who hit the road to try these local flavors can encounter interesting landscapes.

Some of these local dishes will water your mouth with their taste, while some of the others will do the same with only their names. So, it is your choice. And if you are ready, go scroll down the page and enjoy the short descriptions of the most interesting Turkish foods…

10. Otur Fatma Tatlısı (Sit Down Fatma Dessert)

Otur Fatma dessert (Sit Down Fatma) consists of cornflour, egg, yogurt, lemon, sugar, and carbonate. It is one of the local flavors that are about to be forgotten. This local flavor is special to Turkey’s Kocaeli region. There are various studies that researchers have been carrying out in the region to make the Sitting Fatma Dessert popular again. Local people also call it Nazlı (Coy) because it cooks very quickly.

9. Derdimi Alan (That Eases My Troubles)

As we said, the flavors are interesting with both their shape and the names. Derdimi Alan (the flavor that eases my troubles) is one of the most interesting Turkish foods. Derdimi Alan (the dessert that eases my troubles) belongs to the Isparta region and is one of the most loved desserts of the local people. This local delicacy is prepared with pieces of phyllo on top of molasses mixed with fried butter.

It also has a special place in Turkey’s cuisine and recipe.

8. Pırtımpırt

Pırtımpırt is one of the most famous dishes of Kayseri. It is a sour dish made with fresh vine leaves. Local people use vine leaves that are dried in summer to have a sour taste. Moreover, they add chickpeas and meat to the dish. People assume that this local flavor, which is also called Kirtimburt in the region, was given the name Pırtımpırt because the leaves were put into the dish by shredding.

7. Babagannuş

Babagannus is a special appetizer of Hatay cuisine. Local people cook this flavor by using eggplant cooked on embers, peppers, tomatoes, etc. This food is also famous as Eggplant salad. It can also be found in Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian, Palestinian, and Lebanese cuisines.

6. Bici Bici

Bici Bici, which has a very interesting name, is a popular flavor around Çukurova. The desert, Bici Bici, and its reputation have spread throughout the country in recent years. It is a dessert that dates back to the Ottoman period but took its name in the Republican period.

Before it was called Bici Bici, people mostly knew this dessert by the name Karsambaç. Its basic ingredients are grated ice, cooked starch, powdered sugar, and sherbet.

5. Şıllık Tatlısı (Slutty Dessert)

There we are with another delicious recipe that has a shockingly odd name, yet has a surprisingly delicious taste. The way to cook Şıllık dessert is to add walnuts and cream to the dough like pancakes, and then pouring peanuts on it. People believe that its name appears like this because it is a dessert that disperses too much while eating. Şıllık dessert is a taste unique to the Urfa region. The dessert adorns the tables as an indispensable taste of “sira nights” (It is the meeting and current assembly where conversations about sound, instrument, and word are held in the folk culture identified with Şanlıurfa province in Turkey.).

In the past years, there have been some debates about the name of the Şıllık dessert. Known for years as Şileki, which means ıslak (wet) in the Southeast, this dessert started to be known as Şıllık, which is used by outsiders after the 1990s. Although the use of this name creates discomfort in the region, it seems that people get used to this name over time.

4. Çükündür

Çükündür’s pickles and roasts are quite famous. Çükündür is a local name for sugar beet. Dishes made from sugar beet, also known as Çükundur, Çöğündür or Çükündürük in different parts of Turkey. So, the flavor preserves its place on the tables with its delicious tastes. This flavor surprises those who hear its name for the first time and cannot stop laughing. People love and consume it in almost every region of the country.

3. Mumbar Dolması (Stuffed Mumbar)

Mumbar Dolması (Stuffed Mumbar) is most common in Southern Anatolian cuisine. So, it is also quite famous in some cities in Eastern Anatolia. Mumbar stuffing is also famous as Bumbar in some regions. The food is made by stuffing the large intestines of sheep with stuffing rice (mortar). The way to cook Mumbar is to use tallow. Therefore, people commonly recommend consuming the food without waiting too long. So, it is a flavor that draws attention with its name and appearance.

2. Şırdan Dolması (Stuffed Şırdan)

Şırdan is a very popular local flavor in Adana and its region. People use part of the stomachs of ruminant animals to make this delicious food. Although most people stay away from Şırdan due to its smell and interesting appearance, you can see a peddler selling Şırdan on every corner in Adana. We strongly recommend you to consume lamb shirdan. It is more popular because of its softness, with plenty of cumin. Well, no need to mention that, the food is definitely one of the most interesting Turkish foods.

1. Kokoreç

Kokoreç is a dish of the Balkans and Asia Minor. It consists of lamb or goat intestines wrapped around seasoned offal. The meal is including sweetbreads, hearts, lungs, or kidneys. What’s more, the best way to consume it is to grill. So, a variant consists of chopped innards cooked on a griddle. People mostly prefer the intestines of suckling lambs.

 

Consequently, everyone has a different taste. So, this list is not a final list. Therefore, feel free to contribute to our most interesting Turkish foods list. Tell us which one you did like the most, or which one you have already tasted. Or else, which one you haven’t yet!

We would like to see your comments below!