Local Turkish and Turkish national dishes are a legacy of Ottoman culture. Turkish local cuisine is influenced by Balkan and Middle Eastern cuisine. During the Ottoman period, cooking and serving food had its rituals and traditions. Many people who intend to stay in Turkey have a relative knowledge of these foods. Nowadays, if you manage to eat these foods, you will find that they take you back in time. The Turks, especially in Central Asia, lived for a time in the nomadic style and from the 5th century onwards began to change their way of life, agriculture. The Turks interacted with countries such as Iran, India, and China because they had a tribal life and created scattered countries.

Background of local Turkish cuisine

When the Ottoman period came, traditional Turkish recipes became the beginning of the current culinary culture. The interesting and important part is that the Ottoman Empire was an empire that ruled on three continents. The government was spread across these borders and had extensive cultural exchanges with communities as well as various customs. Turkish local food during this period was derived from the food tastes of the territories under Ottoman rule.

Food culture in Turkey

With a variety of foods, desserts, and drinks, Turkey has become popular in this aspect. Due to the vast geographical areas in Turkey, it has spread cultural differences in eating and drinking habits. Each region has its own food culture. This culture is generally formed according to the economic resources of the region and the abundance of the crop. For example, seafood and fish are very popular in the Black Sea region of Turkey, vegetarian dishes are popular on the Mediterranean coast, and meat dishes are popular in the east.
It should be noted that Turkish food culture and local cuisine are made up of foods that are attractive to any taste.

Food diversity in Turkey

Before you taste Turkish food, you can choose any taste you want because of the great variety, for example, you can try cooked food with different techniques that are suitable for all tastes. In local Turkish cuisine, meat and meat products are the most consumed food. For example, it may be hard for you to believe that travelers who see Hamsy for the first time will be amazed at the variety of cooking of this fish, such as Hamsy Paw, Burmese Hamsi, or even Hamsy jam and so on.

Turkish local food

Looking at the Ottoman period, as the list of Turkish cuisines: This is one of the most important culinary cultures in the world, formed by a combination of different food cultures, which shows regional differences, and spread in a wide geography. Each region has its own food culture, such as Black Seafood, Oriental food, and regional food. We’ve looked at Turkish food under different headings, and if you’re planning to study in Turkey you should definitely have some information.

These dishes are part of Turkish culture. Although local Turkish cuisine seems easy to cook, it seems difficult for many cultures and countries. Of course, keep in mind that most foods in different parts of Turkey are completely different. Climate and lifestyle have also influenced Turkish cuisine.

Example of the special menu of the Ottoman period

• Kuzu kebabı
• Acem Pilavi
•  Dolma
• Etli Börek
•   Sütlü Ekmek
• Enginar Ya hnisi
•  Yaprak Sarma
• Yumurta Dolm ası
• Baklava
• Elma Ko mpostosu
• Peynirli Börek
• Aşure
• Terbiy eli Çorba
• Kayısı Hoşafı

Turkish local food: soups

Among Turkish local dishes, soups are preferred before the main meal. There are different types of soups:

• Lentil soup
•  Tarhana soup
•  Ozoglyn soup,
• Ayran soup
• Mother and daughter soup

Soups are especially popular in Turkish cuisine. Vegetables, meat, and legumes are the main ingredients of Turkish soups. Turkey’s famous soup is Ashkambeh Chorbasi, which is popular among most Turks and is usually preferred late at night after entertainment and night parties. This type of soup reduces the effects of alcohol and prevents headaches caused by alcohol consumption.

Turkish local food: meat dishes

Meat plays an important role in local Turkish cuisine. Especially in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, almost all foods are meaty. In Mediterranean cuisine, meat dishes are a little less common. Turkish meat dishes include kebabs, meatballs, and watery meat dishes cooked in pots or special pottery.

• Kebab
• Lahmacun
• Pide
• Stews and steamed meats in special pottery

One of the most famous kebabs in Turkey is Adana Kebab and Orfa Kebab, and of course Doner.

Local Turkish food: Vegetable food

In Turkey and the combination of local Turkish dishes, vegetables are mostly included in the Mediterranean region which is unique and diverse. Some foods are like:

• Dolmehs,
• Sarmas,
• A variety of vegetable foods that are prepared with olive oil.

Yaprak sarma, or leaf jam, is sometimes made with olive oil and vegetables, and sometimes with meat, rice, and legumes, foods that are especially popular with Turks. This type of food can also be considered a local Turkish dish.

Dough food

Dough dishes are very rich in food, from a variety of types of frying to preparing them in ovens. And of course, they have a great variety. This type of food is one of the local Turkish dishes.

• Ravioli (Manti)
• Burke
• Brown bread
• Lah Mahjoon
• Pide

Drinks in local Turkish cuisine

Each kitchen has its own beverage culture. Carbonated drinks and fruit juices that are not found all over the world like other countries. Kefir is a unique drink along with local Turkish cuisine. Of course, the title of the national drink of the Turks is Ayran.

• Kefir
• Syrup
• Turnip juice and pickles
• Turk coffee
• Tea brewed

Types of desserts

Desserts also play an important role in Turkish food culture. Desserts that are preferred after main dishes and prepared in different types; syrup desserts, pastry desserts, and milk desserts. If you are not interested in a very heavy dessert, it is better to use a milk dessert. Apart from milk desserts, which are light and nutritious, other desserts are high in calories and should not be consumed in large quantities.
Baklava is the most famous dessert among the local dishes of Turkey, which can be said to be known all over the world, and it is prepared in different types and in different aromas and flavors of walnuts and pistachios among thin filo and butter, and it is a syrupy dessert. For centuries, Turkish tea has been one of the traditional flavors and local dishes.

Kebabs

Kebabs are one of the most well-known local Turkish dishes in the world, which can be prepared in different ways. If you like to eat meat and it doesn’t matter if your food is prepared from beef or mutton, Turkish kebabs will be a good option for you. After the hot kebabs, you can try the kebabs with the peppers vegetables and the kebabs prepared in different ways.

Local Turkish dishes without meat

Turkish meat-free local food means foods made from vegetables, which contain the most vegetables, grains, and legumes. For example:

• A kind of cocoon
• Kapuska
• Hearts
• Cabbage jam
• Cauliflower

Künefe dessert

It is a fact that Hatay is one of the provinces that have the most traditional flavors among local Turkish dishes. The most important proof of this is that Künefe is a flavor that has spread its fame around the world for many years and has even given the greatest help in building Hatay as one of the best gastronomic cities. Kadaif strings and stretchy cheese with pistachios and syrup on it make this delicious dessert.