In Turkish society with rich culinary tradition, days are completed with snacks and long meal times. Although the main center of the house appears to be the living room, the real center is the kitchen. Whether you are in a big city or a town, you will have a chance to see that families preferring eat together at home. You can note that the Turkish people, who love to entertain guests, clear the table immediately after the meal and move on to tea, coffee, and dessert. These treats continue to be enjoyed with conversation.Turkish cuisine is a world-famous cuisine that combines fresh vegetables and rich ingredients with intensive labor. You can taste these delicacies both in a restaurant or in a house where you are a guest. It is quite rampant for Turks to cook at home. You can buy fresh food from supermarkets or markets that are set up on certain days.
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Eating Ourside
Although home-cooking culture is common in Turkey there are different and satisfying food alternatives, from traditional dishes to sandwiches, pastries and wraps. Moreover, red and white meat, fish, vegetable dishes and vegetarian alternatives are available. You can find restaurants and cafes with these options in every city.
Restaurants in Turkey offer you various local snacks or appetizers before your order. You should consider the offerings before ordering, otherwise you will leave the place feeling full. Drinks and bottled water are usually chargeable. Jugs of water and refreshments are free.
Turkish breakfast
Turkish breakfast, which suprises many foreign students, is a satisfying meal. Bagels, pastries, baked goods, menemen, eggs with sausage are undeniable for breakfast. Various kinds of cheese, olives and jams, honey, tomatoes, cucumbers and the indispensable tea of the Turks are served along with these indispensable items. You shouldn’t be surprised when you encounter a full breakfast table, enjoy that moment.
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Student-friendly meals
Foods that you can consume outside quickly with an affordable prices.
Döner kebab: In the city you are in, you will see meat wrapped and cooked on a vertical iron rod. This is the Turkish favorite doner kebab. The advantage for students is that it becomes more satisfying by consuming it with bread.
Similar to Ravioli: Manti, which is also included in the cuisine of different countries, is prepared by putting minced meat into small dough balls. It is served with yoghurt and tomato paste sauce on top.
Soup: You shouldn’t be surprised to find that Turks make soup for everything. Vegetables and legumes are added to the soup. In this way, it is a good meal for vegetarians. There are also soups containing meat and chicken. It is a good choice for students to each during lunch and dinner.
Dried Beans and Rice: It is a dish that you can encounter in university cafeterias and restaurants that make home cooking. It is made from pilaf, bulgur or rice, it is often served with juicy dishes. Dried beans are more satisfying when eaten with rice.
Börek, gözleme, poğaça (Börek, gözleme, çörek) Pastries are a satisfying and savior food at every meal. Students who start classes early have breakfast with a pastry with tea. You can find a variety of pastries with vegetables, meat and cheese in university canteens, patisseries or cafes.
University Cafeterias and Canteens
Generally speaking, universities possess dining halls serving 2 or 3 meals a day. You can get the meals in the form of Table d'hote or a la carte. As universities are supported by the government, meals are cheaper. Also, you can choose restaurants and cafes near universities.
I leave you a few food suggestions that you should taste.
- Karniyarık (Eggplant Dish)
- İmambayildi (Roasted Eggplant Dish)
- Tas kebabı (Persian Lamb and Vegetable Stew)
- Leaf wrapping (Plate Grape Leaf)
- Kebab
- Baklava
- Kazandibi (Milk Custard)
