In Istanbul, we eat several times throughout the day, the cravings have no time. Street food in Istanbul has been around for centuries, it is very easy to find a street vendor who sells a small sweet or savory snack all day long throughout Istanbul. Street vendors are the soul of Turkey, a real treat.
In the streets of Istanbul, many street vendors take up places on every street corner from early in the morning to serve Istanbul. In Istanbul, each street vendor has a place reserved by their neighborhood municipality, to whom they pay a license. If you see some vendors running in front of the Zabitas (branch of the municipal police which watches over grain), do not be surprised. Those are just street vendors who sell their goods without a permit.
Street food is a real institution in Turkey, there is even every year a street food festival in Istanbul, in the customs, it creates the decor, the atmosphere of big cities !
Street food in Istanbul vendors create the fragrant, colorful, fun, tasteful atmosphere of Istanbul. The sense of trade, hospitality, joke are everywhere in the streets of Istanbul, these street trades support tens of thousands of people.
Sold on carts or in wheeled stands, the food is in the vast majority safe, because the seller must build customer loyalty and be clean and helpful. He is often placed in the same place.
Boiled or grilled corn – Street Food Istanbul
With a touch of salt, a real treat !
Turkish stuffed mussels
Huge mussels stuffed with rice, spices, raisins, are sold by the piece. With a lemon zest, a real delight ! There are vendors of stuffed mussels in all the neighborhoods, especially around dinner. Because of the heat, the Stambouliotes prefer them in the evening, after sunset.
The simit
Simit: one of the most famous street food in Istanbul. The simit is a round hollow bun, covered with sesame seeds that we eat all day: long, plain, with cheese, nutella, tomatoes, etc. The simit is sold everywhere, in a cart, on the head, in baskets, on trestles, each with its own technique!
The pogaca – street food in Istanbul
One of the popoular street food, pogaca is a plain savory brioche, or stuffed with olives, cheese, potatoes. The stambouliotes prefer to eat the pogacas for breakfast, as a snack or as an afternoon snack.
Roasted Chestnuts
You cannot escape the smell of chestnuts in Istanbul. They are everywhere, grilled on site, over a charcoal fire. The smell attracts passers-by almost all year round!
Kokoreç – street food in Istanbul
One of the most preferred street food in Istanbul! The kokorec are sheep crusts, broiled on a spit, sold in bread, seasoned with salt and spices. Kokoreç is sold in street food, fast food, restaurant. It is loved by many Turks!
Balik ekmek – street food Istanbul
One of the most delicious foods available in the streets! It is mackerel in a bread seasoned with lemon, salt, garnished with white onions and green sweet peppers. it is often sold by the Bosphorus alongside fish sellers, in carts, or in beautiful boats.
Chick peas – Rice
One of the earlier kind of street food in Istanbul. White rice with chickpeas sold in small traveling glass carts, it is served to you in an aluminum ladle container. Some sellers also offer grilled chicken.
Mesir Macunu
One of the nost known street food in Istanbul , the seller of this homemade lollipop (mesir macunu) in Istanbul prepares in front of you your multicolored lollipop with several scents, artisanal, funny and delicious.
Almond on ice
One of the simplest street food in Istanbul: almonds are often sold near fish restaurants. The almonds are placed on ice, a handful will be served in a plastic container. It is very fresh and the taste is original. We recommend it. They are often eaten as a mezze, accompanied by a glass of Raki.
Fruits
The fruits are sold in bulk, by the slice, on skewers, in juice. They are on sale everywhere in Istanbul, fresh, pleasant, practical, a real pleasure for the eyes and taste buds! What would we do without the watermelon, as soon as the beautiful days arrive it is sold in trucks at the roadsid: strawberries, pomegranate, apple, carrot, apricot, cherry, grapes… a lot of choice!
The atmosphere that this style of business provides is indescribable, you have to live it to understand it and enjoy it.
Toast
One of the most basic foods is sold on boats, in the street, in fast food, it is really one of the most eaten snack in Turkey, at all hours. With cheese, with sausage, tomato, pickle … passed under the grill it is eaten without hunger
Tursu
One of the original street food in Istanbul is sold in an Ottoman style cart, vegetables and condiments such as cabbage, carrots, pickle, small peppers … bathed in vinegar and the vegetable juice served in a plastic glass, sour and spicy, fragile stomachs beware!
Pamuk – Street Food Istanbul
Kids favourite street food in Istanbul is sold by the sea, the Bosphorus, in parks, in public squares. This delicacy is popular among children, in pastel tart colors, these cotton candy sellers are the indication that the good days are coming!
Street food in Istanbul continues, to the delight of locals and tourists. Turkey is one of the countries which has not yet been sanitized, it has been able to keep its soul, and its beauty!
You can click traditional Turkish drinks