Istanbulites are spoiled for choice when it comes to street food: depending on the season, you can find roast corn, chestnuts, all kinds of fruit (and fruit juice), plus the ever-available fish sandwiches, mussels, simit, pilav, and döner kebabs. Street food in Istanbul is tasty and budget-friendly too...what's not to like about it?  

Simit

The equivalent of bagel for Americans, simit is the morning snack for the Turk on the go, a ring of crusty bread covered in sesame seeds. Warm and fresh, you can buy it from the sellers on the street or bakeries all around the city. A good simit is crusty but soft in the middle, and it is best bought first thing in the morning, as fresh as possible.

Döner Dürüm

Famous the world over thanks to the ubiquity of kebab vendors, a good döner dürüm is delicious and perfect on a night out when hunger hits. Döner Dürüm is roasted lamb or chicken wrapped with tomatoes, French fries, and hot pickled peppers in a very thin bread known as dürüm (similar to tortilla). Sold at numerous büfes (Turkish fast-food restaurants) around the city, döner dürüm is a quick yet delicious meal best complimented with ayran.

Balık Ekmek (Grilled fish sandwich)

One of the cheapest and most delicious meals on offer in Istanbul, the best balık ekmek is available from the street vendors by the Galata Bridge. You will get a freshly caught, chargrilled fish slapped between two pieces of bread with some tomato and salad—cheap and definitely worth a saunter down the Golden Horn.

Midye Dolması (Stuffed Mussels)

This is for the more adventurous traveler—mussels stuffed with rice, pine nuts, onions, currants, and herbs. You can get them from sellers on the street or if you want to play it safe, buy it from one of the little shops in Balık Pazarı (Fish Bazaar) on Istiklal Caddesi.

Işkembe

Not for the squeamish (or, arguably, sober), this is soup made from tripe, butter, vinegar, and garlic, and is the meal of choice at the end of a night of hard partying.

Islak Hamburger

Another tipsy choice, this translates as ‘wet’ hamburger as it’s dipped in tomato sauce. This small burger is steamed for hours and the result is a very moist and succulent snack, noticeably more appetizing in the early hours of the morning. The discerning reveler’s choice of vendor is Kızılkayalar, although anywhere will undoubtedly do!

Nohutlu Pilav (Rice with Chickpeas)

Sold in carts by the side of the road and mainly bought by drivers on a stop-off, this is a warm, nourishing, and inexpensive snack.

Kokoreç (Lamb intestines)

In the same category as tripe soup, this is definitely not for the squeamish. Kokoreç is a Turkish sandwich made of tiny pieces of spiced and fried lamb or sheep intestines.

It is another delicacy that appeals more to the late night reveler, but it is very popular and definitely worth trying if only to see what the fuss is about. In fact, try it while you can because under upcoming EU integration laws, kokoreç will officially be a no-no.

Roasted Chestnuts

These are probably the most common street snack, with a vendor to be found every kilometer or so in central Istanbul. Simple and delicious, these are served hot in a little paper bag for a couple of liras, and are great on a wintry afternoon.