Top 5: Foods to Try in Turkey

Turkey is a country that straddles Europe and Asia. As a result, the country has a lot of cultural connections ranging from Greek, Persian, Ottoman and Roman backgrounds, when respective empires ruled the country for a period of time. Foods in the country has a lot of influences from those cultures and here are five to try when visiting Turkey.

Borek
There are a variety of options from which to choose when ordering borek. Some are sweet and filled with custard, while some are savory and served with meat. It all depends on your particular taste.

Baklava
Baklava is a flaky, multilayered pastry filled with minced nuts and covered in syrup or honey. The dessert is extremely sweet and can be enjoyed hot or cold. It can be found almost anywhere in Turkey and is a favorite of the locals.

Kebab
You can get kebabs with chicken, lamb or beef, and they are usually available at a majority of the restaurants in the country. The Iskender kebab is also a great choice, made with thinly sliced lamb with warm tomato sauce, yogurt and butter on traditional bread or pita.

Turkish Apple Tea
This is a staple in Turkish culture and is bound to get keep your taste buds alive. It is openly offered to visitors as a part of the hospitality, and can be found in every household and restaurant. Enjoy a cup with a local.

Turkish Delight
There is no point in going to Turkey and not savoring the many varieties of Turkish delight. These sweets are bound to appease your sweet tooth or give you one if you didn’t have one before. They range in colors, sizes, shapes, tastes and flavors as they are made with different fruits.