All Turkish food is a delight

Turkish cuisine is a beautiful fusion of mediterratian, middle eastern, central asian and Eastern European cuisines. It largely gets its roots from the Ottoman empire, which highlights the flourishing trade routes across the empire.

Turkish Black Tea: Popular sweetened tea served at all times of the day.

*Serving size: 1 glass(12oz)

• Calories: 90

• Fat:0g

• Carbs: 24g

• Protein: 0g

Turkish coffee: The making of this yummy coffee over hot sand is a must see, and a must taste, while in Turkey. This UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage is like an espresso, can be made with or without sugar. Make sure not to drink the fine coffee grounds that sit at the bottom of the cup!

* double all nutritional information if you order a double rather than a single

Without sugar

Calories: 5 Fat:0g Carbs: 3g Protein: 0g

With sugar

Somun/ Francala Ekmek bread: popular break loaf of airy white bread enjoyed with almost every meal.

*Serving size: 1 slice

• Calories: 67

• Fat:0.8g

• Carbs: 14g

• Protein: 3g

Sesame simit: Sold all over Istanbul out of red simit carts, this round bread can be served as either plain or covered in sesame seeds, and with either nothing in it, or Nutella or cream cheese.

* Serving size: 1 simit

• Calories:335

• Fat: 16g

• Carbs: 44g

• Protein: 9g

Green Olives: Common appetizer or part of a mezze.

* Serving size: 100g

• Calories:145

• Fat: 15g

• Carbs: 4g

• Protein: 1g

Mercimek Kofte: Popular Turkish mezzo that are dumplings with red lentils and bulger.

* Serving size: 1 kofte

• Calories: 46

• Fat: 1g

• Carbs: 7g

• Protein: 2g

Manti : Known as Turkish ravioli, these lamb/beef filled dumplings are filled with yogurt and a spicy sauce.

* Serving size: Per 100g

• Calories:170

• Fat: 3.5g

• Carbs: 30g

• Protein: 4.1g

Kumpir: The ultimate baked potato, whipped up with a gigantic amount of butter and cheese, this can be topped with any combination of meats, veggies, sauces and more cheeses.

*Serving size: 1 potato(without toppings)

• Calories 698

• Carbs: 64g

• Fat: 44g

• Protein: 14g

Gozleme: Turkish stuffed flatbread that can be eaten for breakfast or as a street food. It can have various different fillings including Spinach and Feta, potato, or spiced beef or lamb.

*Serving size: 1 gozleme

Spinach and Feta

Calories: 364

Fat: 21g Carbs: 29g Protein: 15g

Potato

Lamb

Su Boregi(Water Borek): A favorite cheese filled noodle dish that is crispy on the top and delicious on the inside.

*Serving size: 100g

• Calories: 241

• Fat: 13g

• Carbs: 23g

• Protein: 7g

Testi Kabab(lamb): A version of kebab that is cooked and served in a clay pot. Testi Kabab comes from the Cappadocia region of Turkey where clay pottery is popular.

*Serving size: 1 cup

• Calories: 282

• Fat: 19g

• Carbs: 14g

• Protein:16g

Menemen: Standard Turkish breakfast of messy eggs cooked with plenty of oil, tomato, peppers and spices. Generally eaten with Francala Ekmek bread.

*Serving size: 1 cup

• Calories: 245

• Fat: 14g

• Carbs: 19g

• Protein:12g

Eggplant Moussaka: A personal favorite from my time in Turkey, this eggplant casserole hails from Greece but is common throughout Turkey. It includes layers of eggplant and beef in tomato sauce, topped with a béchamel sauce.

*Serving size: 100 g

• Calories: 117

• Fat: 3g

• Carbs: 7g

• Protein:5g

Labmacun: Flatbread served with tomatoey minced meat on it. A perfect on the go meal that can be eaten wrapped up like a burrito.

*Serving size: 1 labmacun

• Calories: 473

• Fat: 21g

• Carbs: 58g

• Protein:15g

Pide: A oval Turkish pizza with many different variations of toppings.

*Serving size: 1 Pide

• Calories: 641

• Fat: 29g

• Carbohydrates: 67g

• Protien: 27g

Balik Ekmek(Fish Sandwich): A freshly cooked fish sandwich with Turkish bread and vegitables dressed with fresh lemon .

*Serving size: 1 Sandwich

• Calories: 313

• Fat: 12g

• Carbs: 25g

• Protien: 31g

Turkish delight: I might not love these deserts as much as the kid in Narnia but I do love these soft, chewy treats.

*Serving size: 1 one inch piece

• Calories: 33

• Fat: 1 g

• Carbs: 6 g

• Protein: 0 g

Sutlac(Rice Pudding): Turkey has their own variation on this delicious dessert, making it a must try while in Turkey.

*Serving size: 1 cup

• Calories: 363

• Fat: 5 g

• Carbs: 70g

• Protein: 8g

Tahini Halva: This sweet fudge-like treat is made out of tahini paste and can be eaten throughout the day-especially at breakfast!

*Serving size: 100g

• Calories: 400

• Fat: 18

• Carbohydrates: 50g

• Protein: 9g

Baklava: Turkish baklava is a sweet dessert made of pistachio and phyllo dough.

*Serving size: 1 cubic inch

• Calories: 56

• Fat: 4g

• Carbohydrates: 5g

• Protein: 1g

Kunefe: A delicious dessert made of fried noodles soaked in sugary, rose syrup, and soft cheese.

*Serving size: 100g

• Calories: 407

• Fat: 24g

• Carbohydrates: 39g

• Protein: 8g

Irma Helvasi(Semolina halva): Classic desert made from semolina flour that can be served either hot or cold.

*Serving size: 1 medium serving

• Calories: 497

• Fat: 34g

• Carbohydrates: 51g

• Protein: 2g

* Disclaimer: All nutrition is an estimate based on information from online resources

Find Turkey Nutritional Cheat Sheet HERE.