![<strong>Piyaz:</strong> The traditional version of this Turkish salad or meze includes a soft-boiled egg that's chopped up and mixed through before the dish is served.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401170445-01-best-turkish-foods-piyaz.jpg?q=w_2500,h_1406,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Piyaz: The traditional version of this Turkish salad or meze includes a soft-boiled egg that's chopped up and mixed through before the dish is served.
![<strong>Ezogelin corba: </strong>An invigorating soup made of red lentils, tomato paste, grated fresh tomatoes and onions.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401171319-02-best-turkish-foods-ezogelin.jpg?q=w_2500,h_1406,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Ezogelin corba: An invigorating soup made of red lentils, tomato paste, grated fresh tomatoes and onions.
![<strong>Saksuka:</strong> A traditional Turkish side dish, saksuka consists of eggplant, zucchinis, garlic, tomatoes and chili.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401171350-03-best-turkish-foods-saksuka.jpg?q=w_2000,h_1125,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Saksuka: A traditional Turkish side dish, saksuka consists of eggplant, zucchinis, garlic, tomatoes and chili.
![<strong>Kısır:</strong> This simple salad dish contains fine bulgur wheat, tomatoes, garlic, parsley and mint.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401171650-04-best-turkish-foods-kisir.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Kısır: This simple salad dish contains fine bulgur wheat, tomatoes, garlic, parsley and mint.
![<strong>Mercimek kofte: </strong>Served in bite-sized portions, this popular appetizer's main ingredients are bulgur, red lentils and various spices.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401171715-05-best-turkish-foods-mercimek-kofte.jpg?q=w_2000,h_1125,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Mercimek kofte: Served in bite-sized portions, this popular appetizer's main ingredients are bulgur, red lentils and various spices.
![<strong>Yaprak dolma:</strong> While there are various versions of this traditional dish, the Isparta offering is prepared by cooking seasoned rice, and placing the contents on a vine leaf, which is then rolled into small cylinders.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401171739-06-best-turkish-foods-yaprak-dolma.jpg?q=w_2500,h_1407,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Yaprak dolma: While there are various versions of this traditional dish, the Isparta offering is prepared by cooking seasoned rice, and placing the contents on a vine leaf, which is then rolled into small cylinders.
![<strong>Inegol kofte: </strong>Originating from Inegol, Bursa, Inegol kofte is essentially grilled meatballs made using ground beef or lamb, breadcrumbs and onions.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401171803-07-best-turkish-foods-inegol-kofte.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Inegol kofte: Originating from Inegol, Bursa, Inegol kofte is essentially grilled meatballs made using ground beef or lamb, breadcrumbs and onions.
![<strong>Iskender kebab:</strong> This meat dish is comprised of doner kebab, prepared from grilled lamb, that's topped with hot tomato sauce, placed over pita bread and coated with melted butter and yogurt.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401171826-08-best-turkish-foods-iskender-kebab.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Iskender kebab: This meat dish is comprised of doner kebab, prepared from grilled lamb, that's topped with hot tomato sauce, placed over pita bread and coated with melted butter and yogurt.
![<strong>Cag kebab: </strong>This dish contains cubes of lamb that are left to marinate for half a day. The meat is then roasted on a cag (a horizontal rotating spit) and on a skewer, before being cooked horizontally over a wood fire.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401171851-09-best-turkish-foods-cag-kebab.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Cag kebab: This dish contains cubes of lamb that are left to marinate for half a day. The meat is then roasted on a cag (a horizontal rotating spit) and on a skewer, before being cooked horizontally over a wood fire.
![<strong>Hamsili pilav:</strong> Served in winter time, hamsili pilav is an oven baked rice dish with a layer of fresh anchovies arranged on top.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401171937-10-best-turkish-foods-hamsili-pilav.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Hamsili pilav: Served in winter time, hamsili pilav is an oven baked rice dish with a layer of fresh anchovies arranged on top.
![<strong>Perde pilav:</strong> Another rice-based dish, perde pilav consists of a buttery dough that's filled with rice, chicken, currants, almonds, pine nuts and butter, and seasoned.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401172004-11-best-turkish-foods-perde-pilav.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Perde pilav: Another rice-based dish, perde pilav consists of a buttery dough that's filled with rice, chicken, currants, almonds, pine nuts and butter, and seasoned.
![<strong>Manti:</strong> The most popular version of these tasty Turkish dumplings are made in Kayseri and include a spoonful of mince sealed into a small parcel rather than cheese, which is added in other variations.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200401172027-12-best-turkish-foods-manti.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Manti: The most popular version of these tasty Turkish dumplings are made in Kayseri and include a spoonful of mince sealed into a small parcel rather than cheese, which is added in other variations.
![<strong>Testi kebab:</strong> Cooked in a sealed clay pot, Testi kebab is a delicious meat and vegetable dish that needs to be broken open before it's consumed.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402101212-13-best-turkish-foods-testi-kebab.jpg?q=w_3465,h_1949,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Testi kebab: Cooked in a sealed clay pot, Testi kebab is a delicious meat and vegetable dish that needs to be broken open before it's consumed.
![<strong>Gozleme:</strong> This traditional Turkish pastry is often stuffed with salty white cheese, minced beef or spinach.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402101719-14-best-turkish-foods-gozleme.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Gozleme: This traditional Turkish pastry is often stuffed with salty white cheese, minced beef or spinach.
![<strong>Pide: </strong>A favorite among Turks, pide is a type of flatbread made from dough balls stretched out into an extended base and inserted with a range of fillings.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402101805-15-best-turkish-foods-pide.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Pide: A favorite among Turks, pide is a type of flatbread made from dough balls stretched out into an extended base and inserted with a range of fillings.
![<strong>Su boregi:</strong> This hugely popular savory pastry is made by layering sheets of a dough called "yufka" and adding a filling of white cheese.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402101827-16-best-turkish-foods-su-boregi.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Su boregi: This hugely popular savory pastry is made by layering sheets of a dough called "yufka" and adding a filling of white cheese.
![<strong>Simit: </strong>Also known as "koulouri," this circular bread, usually covered with sesame seeds, is one of the most popular street foods in Istanbul, Turkey.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402101849-17-best-turkish-foods-simit-restricted.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1687,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Simit: Also known as "koulouri," this circular bread, usually covered with sesame seeds, is one of the most popular street foods in Istanbul, Turkey.
![<strong>Lahmacun:</strong> A type of flatbread, commonly referred to as Turkish pizza, made from meat and a paste consisting of low-fat mince stirred together with tomato paste, garlic and spices.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402101927-18-best-turkish-foods-lahmacun.jpg?q=w_4000,h_2250,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Lahmacun: A type of flatbread, commonly referred to as Turkish pizza, made from meat and a paste consisting of low-fat mince stirred together with tomato paste, garlic and spices.
![<strong>Cig kofte: </strong>Also known as chee kofta, cig kofte is a raw meatball dish in which the meat is usually replaced with bulgur and/or ground walnuts.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402101946-19-best-turkish-foods-cig-kofte.jpg?q=w_2000,h_1125,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Cig kofte: Also known as chee kofta, cig kofte is a raw meatball dish in which the meat is usually replaced with bulgur and/or ground walnuts.
![<strong>Baklava: </strong>One of Turkey's best known sweet treats, baklava is made of layers of filo filled with ground nuts that's bonded together with a honeyed syrup before being baked.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402102007-20-best-turkish-foods-baklava-restricted.jpg?q=w_4000,h_2250,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Baklava: One of Turkey's best known sweet treats, baklava is made of layers of filo filled with ground nuts that's bonded together with a honeyed syrup before being baked.
![<strong>Dondurma:</strong> Taking its name from the Turkish word for "freezing," dondurma is made from milk, sahlep, a flour made from the tubers of orchids, and mastic.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402102043-21-best-turkish-foods-dondurma.jpg?q=w_2000,h_1125,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Dondurma: Taking its name from the Turkish word for "freezing," dondurma is made from milk, sahlep, a flour made from the tubers of orchids, and mastic.
![<strong>Lokum: </strong>This hugely famous Turkish delicacy, commonly known as Turkish Delight, dates back centuries, and is produced by boiling water, starch and sugar together to produce delicate jelly cubes.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402102104-22-best-turkish-foods-lokum.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1688,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Lokum: This hugely famous Turkish delicacy, commonly known as Turkish Delight, dates back centuries, and is produced by boiling water, starch and sugar together to produce delicate jelly cubes.
![<strong>Ekmek kadayıfı: </strong>This bread pudding originates from the city of Afyonkarahisar and is usually eaten with kaymak, a thick Turkish cream.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200402104036-23-best-turkish-foods-ekmek-kadayf.jpg?q=w_2056,h_1157,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_778)
Ekmek kadayıfı: This bread pudding originates from the city of Afyonkarahisar and is usually eaten with kaymak, a thick Turkish cream.