Top Winter Street Foods in Turkey

As you stroll through the streets of Turkey, you'll inevitably come across a variety of food carts. While some street foods, like simit, are available year-round, others are more suited for the colder months. Here are some must-try winter delights:

Boza

A popular wintertime drink, boza is a fermented beverage made from boiled hulled millet, sugar, and water. Its sweet and tangy flavor is complemented by a topping of roasted chickpeas and cinnamon. In traditional neighborhoods, you might hear vendors calling out “Booozaaaa” on cold winter nights. For an authentic experience, visit the historical Vefa Bozacisi in Fatih.

Roasted Chestnuts

Known as kestane kebab, these hot roasted chestnuts are served in paper bags and sold by the gram. Turkey is home to many chestnut trees, making this a favorite local snack, especially along the famous Istiklal Street in Taksim.

Kumpir

Similar to the jacket potato at British winter markets, the Kumpir is an extra-large roasted potato. But that's where the similarities end. First mashed with butter and cheese, the options for toppings are endless. Choose from olives, Russian salad, mushrooms, hot dogs, corn, and more. The most famous kumpir area is in Ortakoy, Istanbul.

Chickpeas and Rice

Turks love rice, and there are many delicious recipes where rice is the star ingredient. This version features layers of chickpeas and buttery Turkish rice, sometimes topped with shredded chicken. Black pepper and hot pickled green peppers add the finishing touch.

Islak Burgers

Islak, meaning wet in Turkish, refers to these steamed burgers found around Taksim Square. Beef patties and soft white buns are soaked in a tomato garlic sauce and left in a steam box until customers arrive. These snacks are particularly popular after a night out in Beyoglu, with groups of friends often ending their evenings with an Islak burger.