⛔️ NATURALLY VEGAN HOME COOKED TURKISH FOOD ⛔️
1. İMAM BAYILDI 🍆
WHAT IS IT? Eggplant slowly cooked with onion, tomato, garlic and olive oil.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Eggplant • Tomato • Onion • Garlic • Olive oil
⚠️ WATCH OUT Don’t confuse it with karnıyarık, it looks similar but normally contains minced meat.
🇹🇷 ASK
“İmam bayıldı mı, karnıyarık mı?”
Is this imam bayıldı or karnıyarık?
“Bu zeytinyağlı mı? İçinde et var mı?”
Is this the olive-oil version? Does it contain meat?
📌 SAVE FOR ISTANBUL
#VeganIstanbul #ImamBayildi #VeganTurkishFood
2. ZEYTİNYAĞLI YAPRAK SARMA 🍃
WHAT IS IT? Vine leaves wrapped around a seasoned rice-and-herb filling.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 The traditional zeytinyağlı version is vegan.
MAIN INGREDIENTS Vine leaves • Rice • Onion • Herbs • Olive oil
⚠️ WATCH OUT Etli sarma contains minced meat.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Bu zeytinyağlı mı? İçinde et var mı?”
Is this the olive-oil version? Does it contain meat?
#VeganIstanbul #Sarma #TurkishFood
3. ZEYTİNYAĞLI BİBER DOLMASI 🫑
WHAT IS IT? Peppers filled with seasoned rice, onion and herbs.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan when sold as zeytinyağlı dolma.
MAIN INGREDIENTS Pepper • Rice • Onion • Herbs • Olive oil
⚠️ WATCH OUT Etli dolma contains minced meat.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Bu dolma zeytinyağlı ve etsiz mi?”
Is this dolma olive-oil based and meat-free?
#VeganIstanbul #Dolma #VeganTurkey
4. BARBUNYA PİLAKİ 🫘
WHAT IS IT? Borlotti beans slowly cooked with vegetables and olive oil.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Borlotti beans • Tomato • Carrot • Potato • Onion • Olive oil
💡 GOOD TO KNOW Usually served cold or at room temperature among the zeytinyağlılar.
#VeganIstanbul #BarbunyaPilaki #Zeytinyagli
5. ZEYTİNYAĞLI TAZE FASULYE 🫛
WHAT IS IT? Green beans slowly cooked with tomato and onion.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Green beans • Tomato • Onion • Olive oil
💡 Look for the word zeytinyağlı.
#VeganIstanbul #TazeFasulye #TurkishCuisine
6. ZEYTİNYAĞLI ENGİNAR 🌿
WHAT IS IT? Artichoke hearts cooked with vegetables, herbs and olive oil.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Artichoke • Peas • Carrot • Potato • Dill • Olive oil
💡 Especially common during spring.
#VeganIstanbul #Enginar #VeganTurkishFood
7. ZEYTİNYAĞLI PIRASA 🥬
WHAT IS IT? Leeks slowly cooked with carrot, rice and olive oil.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Leeks • Carrot • Rice • Lemon • Olive oil
💡 Usually served cold or at room temperature.
#VeganIstanbul #Pirasa #Zeytinyagli
8. ZEYTİNYAĞLI KEREVİZ 🌱
WHAT IS IT? Celeriac cooked with vegetables, citrus and olive oil.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Celeriac • Carrot • Potato • Lemon/orange • Olive oil
#VeganIstanbul #Kereviz #TurkishFood
9. KISIR 🌾
WHAT IS IT? A fresh bulgur salad with herbs, tomato or pepper paste and lemon.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Fine bulgur • Herbs • Tomato/pepper paste • Lemon • Olive oil
⚠️ Recipes vary, but traditional kısır normally contains no animal products.
#VeganIstanbul #Kisir #VeganTurkey
10. MERCİMEK KÖFTESİ 🧆
WHAT IS IT? Soft red-lentil and bulgur patties served cold.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Red lentils • Bulgur • Onion • Herbs • Spices
💡 Usually eaten with lettuce and lemon.
#VeganIstanbul #MercimekKoftesi #VeganFood
11. FAVA 🫘
WHAT IS IT? A smooth broad-bean purée served as a cold meze.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Traditionally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Dried broad beans • Onion • Dill • Olive oil
#VeganIstanbul #Fava #TurkishMeze
12. TAHİN-PEKMEZ 🍇
WHAT IS IT? Tahini mixed with thick fruit molasses, usually grape molasses.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Naturally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Sesame tahini • Pekmez
💡 A classic plant-based part of Turkish breakfast.
#VeganIstanbul #TahinPekmez #TurkishBreakfast
13. ZEYTİN 🫒
WHAT IS IT? Cured black or green olives — a Turkish breakfast essential.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Naturally vegan
💡 Try different regional varieties; several types may appear on the same breakfast table.
#VeganIstanbul #Olives #TurkishBreakfast
14. KESTANE 🌰
WHAT IS IT? Chestnuts roasted on street carts.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Naturally vegan
MAIN INGREDIENT Chestnuts. That’s it.
💡 One of Istanbul’s simplest vegan street-food choices.
#VeganIstanbul #Kestane #IstanbulStreetFood
15. MISIR 🌽
WHAT IS IT? Boiled or roasted corn sold from Istanbul street carts.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 Plain corn is vegan.
⚠️ WATCH OUT Butter or flavored toppings may be added.
🇹🇷 SAY
“Sade olsun, tereyağı olmasın.”
Plain, please. No butter.
#VeganIstanbul #Misir #VeganStreetFood
16. ZEYTİNYAĞLI BAMYA 🌿
WHAT IS IT? Okra slowly cooked with tomato, onion, lemon and olive oil.
VEGAN STATUS 🟢 The traditional zeytinyağlı version is vegan.
MAIN INGREDIENTS Okra • Tomato • Onion • Lemon • Olive oil
⚠️ WATCH OUT Ask specifically for the zeytinyağlı version. Other preparations may vary.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Bu bamya zeytinyağlı mı?”
Is this okra cooked with olive oil?
📌 SAVE FOR ISTANBUL
#VeganIstanbul #Bamya #Zeytinyagli #VeganTurkishFood
⛔️ ## 🟡 USUALLY VEGAN, BUT ASK ⛔️
17. TÜRLÜ 🥘
WHAT IS IT? A home-style mixed vegetable stew found in traditional Turkish restaurants.
USUALLY MADE WITH 🍆 Eggplant • 🥒 Zucchini • 🥔 Potato • 🌶️ Peppers • 🍅 Tomato
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Can be vegan but the recipe matters.
⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR Butter • Meat • Meat/chicken stock
🇹🇷 ASK
“Bu türlü tamamen etsiz mi? Tereyağı veya et suyu var mı?”
Is this türlü completely meat-free? Does it contain butter or meat stock?
#VeganIstanbul #Turlu #TurkishFood #VeganTravel
18. BABAGANNUŞ 🍆
WHAT IS IT? A smoky eggplant meze with several regional variations in Turkey.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Sometimes vegan - always check.
MAY INCLUDE 🍆 Roasted eggplant • 🌶️ Peppers • 🍅 Tomato • 🧄 Garlic • 🫒 Olive oil
⚠️ WATCH OUT Recipes vary significantly. Some Turkish versions can contain yogurt.
🇹🇷 ASK
“İçinde yoğurt veya başka bir süt ürünü var mı?”
Does it contain yogurt or any other dairy?
#VeganIstanbul #Babagannus #TurkishMeze
19. YEŞİL MERCİMEK YEMEĞİ 🫘
WHAT IS IT? A hearty green lentil stew commonly found in Turkish home cooking and esnaf lokantası restaurants.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Often vegan
USUALLY MADE WITH Green lentils • Onion • Tomato paste • Spices
⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR Butter • Meat stock • Meat added to some versions
🇹🇷 ASK
“İçinde et, tereyağı veya et suyu var mı?”
Does it contain meat, butter or meat stock?
#VeganIstanbul #YesilMercimek #TurkishFood
20. YEŞİL MERCİMEK ÇORBASI 🍲
WHAT IS IT? A filling soup based on green lentils, sometimes with noodles or other grains.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Can be vegan
⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR 🧈 Butter 🥩 Meat stock 🍗 Chicken stock 🥚 Egg in some types of noodles
🇹🇷 ASK
“Et suyu, tereyağı veya yumurta var mı?”
Does it contain meat stock, butter or egg?
#VeganIstanbul #MercimekCorbasi #VeganTravel
21. KIZARTMA 🍆🌶️
WHAT IS IT? A simple plate of fried vegetables, a familiar part of Turkish home cooking.
USUALLY INCLUDES 🥔 Potato • 🍆 Eggplant • 🌶️ Peppers • 🥒 Zucchini
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 The vegetables themselves are vegan.
⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR 🥣 Yogurt or yogurt-garlic sauce served alongside 🍳 Shared frying oil used for animal products
🇹🇷 ASK
“Aynı yağda et veya hayvansal ürün kızartılıyor mu?”
Are meat or other animal products fried in the same oil?
#VeganIstanbul #Kizartma #VeganTurkey
22. MERCİMEK ÇORBASI 🍲
WHAT IS IT? Turkey’s classic red lentil soup.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Often vegan, always ask.
USUALLY MADE WITH Red lentils • Onion • Carrot • Potato • Spices
⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR Butter • Chicken stock • Meat stock • Butter sauce
🇹🇷 ASK
“Bu çorbada tereyağı veya et suyu var mı?”
Does this soup contain butter or meat stock?
#VeganIstanbul #MercimekCorbasi #VeganTravel
23. ETSİZ ÇİĞ KÖFTE 🌶️
WHAT IS IT? Spicy bulgur kneaded with pepper paste, tomato paste, herbs and spices.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Commercial etsiz çiğ köfte is normally vegan.
⚠️ WATCH OUT Check sauces and confirm that it really is the meat-free version.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Tamamen vegan mı?”
Is it completely vegan?
#VeganIstanbul #CigKofte #VeganStreetFood
24. HUMMUS 🧆
WHAT IS IT? A creamy chickpea and tahini meze.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Plain hummus is normally vegan.
MAIN INGREDIENTS Chickpeas • Tahini • Lemon • Garlic • Olive oil
⚠️ WATCH OUT Hot hummus may be topped with butter, meat or pastırma.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Üzerinde tereyağı veya et var mı?”
Does it have a butter or meat topping?
#VeganIstanbul #Hummus #TurkishMeze
25. GAVURDAĞI SALATASI 🥗
WHAT IS IT? A finely chopped tomato, cucumber, onion and walnut salad.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Usually vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Tomato • Cucumber • Onion • Parsley • Walnuts • Pomegranate dressing
⚠️ Dressings can vary between restaurants.
#VeganIstanbul #Gavurdagi #VeganTurkey
26. ACUKA 🌶️
WHAT IS IT? A rich breakfast spread based on pepper or tomato paste and walnuts.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Often vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Pepper paste • Walnuts • Spices • Olive oil
⚠️ WATCH OUT Recipes vary. Check for butter or dairy.
🇹🇷 ASK
“İçinde tereyağı veya süt ürünü var mı?”
Does it contain butter or dairy?
#VeganIstanbul #Acuka #TurkishBreakfast
27. PATLICAN SALATASI 🍆
WHAT IS IT? Smoky roasted eggplant served as a cold meze.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Sometimes vegan
⚠️ WATCH OUT Some recipes contain yogurt.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Yoğurt veya süt ürünü var mı?”
Does it contain yogurt or dairy?
#VeganIstanbul #PatlicanSalatasi #TurkishMeze
28. ŞAKŞUKA 🍆
WHAT IS IT? Fried vegetables topped with tomato-garlic sauce.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Usually vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Eggplant • Peppers • Tomato • Garlic • Oil
⚠️ Yogurt may be served on top or alongside.
🇹🇷 SAY
“Yoğurtsuz olsun, lütfen.”
No yogurt, please.
#VeganIstanbul #Saksuka #VeganMeze
29. ACILI EZME 🌶️
WHAT IS IT? A spicy finely chopped tomato and pepper meze.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Usually vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Tomato • Pepper • Onion • Parsley • Spices
⚠️ Sauces and dressings can vary.
#VeganIstanbul #AciliEzme #TurkishMeze
30. PİYAZ 🫘
WHAT IS IT? A Turkish white-bean salad with onion and parsley.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Can be vegan
⚠️ WATCH OUT Some versions are topped with boiled egg.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Yumurta var mı?”
Does it contain egg?
#VeganIstanbul #Piyaz #VeganTurkey
31. TAHİN HELVASI 🍬
WHAT IS IT? A dense sesame-based sweet made primarily from tahini and sugar.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Classic versions are usually vegan.
⚠️ WATCH OUT Chocolate or specialty varieties may contain milk.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Süt ürünü içeriyor mu?”
Does it contain dairy?
#VeganIstanbul #TahinHelvasi #TurkishDessert
32. REÇEL 🍓
WHAT IS IT? Traditional Turkish fruit preserves.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Usually vegan
MAIN INGREDIENTS Fruit • Sugar
⚠️ Don't confuse jam with the dairy products often served beside it at breakfast.
#VeganIstanbul #Recel #VeganBreakfast
33. EKMEK 🥖
WHAT IS IT? Standard Turkish table bread.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Often vegan
⚠️ WATCH OUT Enriched breads can contain milk, butter or egg.
🇹🇷 ASK
“İçinde süt, tereyağı veya yumurta var mı?”
Does it contain milk, butter or eggs?
#VeganIstanbul #TurkishBread #VeganTravel
34. SİMİT 🥯
WHAT IS IT? Istanbul’s sesame-covered bread ring.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Traditional simit is usually vegan.
BASIC INGREDIENTS Flour • Water • Molasses • Sesame • Salt
⚠️ Bakery and filled versions may contain milk, butter, egg or cheese.
🇹🇷 ASK
“İçinde süt, tereyağı veya yumurta var mı?”
Does it contain milk, butter or eggs?
#VeganIstanbul #Simit #IstanbulStreetFood
35. EZOGELİN ÇORBASI 🍲
WHAT IS IT? A hearty soup made with lentils, bulgur, rice and tomato.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Often vegan
⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR Butter • Meat stock • Chicken stock
🇹🇷 ASK
“Tereyağı veya et suyu var mı?”
Does it contain butter or meat stock?
#VeganIstanbul #Ezogelin #TurkishSoup
36. BULGUR PİLAVI 🌾
WHAT IS IT? Bulgur cooked with tomato, pepper and sometimes vegetables.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Often vegan
⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR Butter • Meat or chicken stock
🇹🇷 ASK
“Tereyağı veya et suyu kullanılıyor mu?”
Does it contain butter or meat stock?
#VeganIstanbul #BulgurPilavi #TurkishFood
37. KURU FASULYE 🫘
WHAT IS IT? Turkey’s classic white-bean stew.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 The etsiz version may be vegan.
⚠️ WATCH OUT Other versions contain meat, sucuk or pastırma. Even etsiz versions can use butter or stock.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Et suyu veya tereyağı var mı?”
Does it contain butter or meat stock?
#VeganIstanbul #KuruFasulye #VeganTurkey
38. NOHUT YEMEĞİ 🫘
WHAT IS IT? Chickpeas cooked in a tomato-based sauce.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Often vegan when prepared etsiz.
⚠️ REMEMBER Etsiz means “without meat,” not necessarily vegan.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Tereyağı veya et suyu kullanılıyor mu?”
Does it contain butter or meat stock?
#VeganIstanbul #Nohut #VeganTravel
39. VEGAN KEBAP 🍢
WHAT IS IT? A plant-based take on Turkish kebab.
VEGAN STATUS 🟡 Vegan when specifically labelled and prepared as such.
⚠️ WATCH OUT In mixed restaurants, vegan and meat kebabs may share the same grill.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Aynı ızgarada et de pişiyor mu?”
Is meat cooked on the same grill?
VeganIstanbul lists several Istanbul restaurants with specifically identified vegan kebab options and separately warns visitors to check ingredients and possible shared-grill cross-contact.
#VeganIstanbul #VeganKebap #IstanbulFood
⛔️FOODS THAT CAN BE MADE VEGAN⛔️
40. KUMPİR 🥔
WHAT IS IT? A giant baked potato mixed inside its skin before toppings are added.
VEGAN STATUS 🟠 Easy to veganize — if ordered correctly.
⚠️ THE TRICK The potato is normally mashed with:
🧈 Butter 🧀 Cheese
🇹🇷 SAY BEFORE THEY START
“Tereyağı ve peynir koymayın, lütfen.”
No butter or cheese, please.
#VeganIstanbul #Kumpir #Ortakoy
41. GÖZLEME 🫓
WHAT IS IT? Thin Turkish flatbread cooked on a hot griddle.
VEGAN STATUS 🟠 Can be vegan
🌱 LOOK FOR Potato • Spinach • Vegetable fillings
⚠️ CHECK FOR Butter • Milk/yogurt • Egg • Cheese
🇹🇷 ASK
“Hamurda süt veya yumurta var mı?
Tereyağı kullanmayın, lütfen.”
#VeganIstanbul #Gozleme #VeganTurkey
42. SEBZELİ PİDE 🍕
WHAT IS IT? Boat-shaped Turkish flatbread topped with vegetables.
VEGAN STATUS 🟠 Can be vegan
⚠️ “VEGETABLE” DOESN’T MEAN VEGAN
Check for:
🧀 Cheese 🥚 Egg 🧈 Butter 🥛 Dairy in the dough
🇹🇷 SAY
“Peynirsiz, yumurtasız ve tereyağsız olsun.”
Please don't use egg or butter.
#VeganIstanbul #SebzeliPide #VeganTravel
43. VEGAN BAZLAMA 🫓
WHAT IS IT? A thick, soft Turkish flatbread.
VEGAN STATUS 🟠 Vegan versions exist — traditional recipes vary.
⚠️ CHECK FOR Milk • Yogurt • Butter
🇹🇷 ASK
“Hamurunda süt veya yoğurt var mı?”
Does it contain milk or yogurt?
VeganIstanbul’s kebab guide specifically notes a venue offering a clearly identified vegan bazlama, illustrating why menu labeling matters with this bread.
#VeganIstanbul #Bazlama #VeganTurkey
44. PİRİNÇ PİLAVI 🍚
WHAT IS IT? Turkish-style rice pilaf, often cooked with small pieces of orzo.
VEGAN STATUS 🟠 Can be vegan — but often isn’t.
⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR Butter • Chicken stock • Meat stock
🇹🇷 ASK
“Tereyağı veya tavuk suyu var mı?”
Does it contain butter or chicken stock?
#VeganIstanbul #Pilav #VeganTravel
45. DOMATES ÇORBASI 🍅
WHAT IS IT? Turkish-style tomato soup.
VEGAN STATUS 🟠 Can be made vegan.
⚠️ COMMON HIDDEN INGREDIENTS Milk • Cream • Butter • Stock
It may also arrive topped with grated cheese.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Süt, krema, tereyağı veya et suyu var mı?”
Does it contain milk, cream, butter or meat stock?
#VeganIstanbul #DomatesCorbasi #VeganTurkey
46. ETSİZ KARNIYARIK 🍆
WHAT IS IT? Karnıyarık is a stuffed eggplant dish traditionally prepared with minced meat. Meat-free versions also exist. The vegan one is called İmam Bayildi.
VEGAN STATUS 🟠 Only vegan when specifically prepared that way.
⚠️ IMPORTANT
Standard karnıyarık is NOT vegetarian, it normally contains minced meat. A meat-free version may still contain cheese, butter or other animal ingredients.
🇹🇷 ASK
“Bu etsiz karnıyarık tamamen vegan mı?”
Is this meat-free karnıyarık completely vegan?
💡 EASIER ALTERNATIVE: Look for İmam Bayıldı, the classic olive-oil eggplant dish.
#VeganIstanbul #Karniyarik #VeganTurkey
⛔️ VEGETARIAN, NOT VEGAN ⛔️
47. MENEMEN 🍳
WHAT IS IT? Eggs cooked with tomato and green peppers.
VEGETARIAN? 🟢 Usually
VEGAN? 🔴 No
⚠️ Traditional menemen contains eggs. Some versions also contain sucuk.
🇹🇷 ASK “Sucuksuz mu?” Is it without sucuk?
#VeganIstanbul #Menemen #VegetarianIstanbul
48. MÜCVER 🥒
WHAT IS IT? Turkish zucchini fritters with fresh herbs.
VEGETARIAN? 🟢 Usually
VEGAN? 🔴 Usually not
⚠️ HIDDEN INGREDIENTS Egg is common. Some recipes also contain cheese.
🇹🇷 ASK “İçinde yumurta veya peynir var mı?”
#VeganIstanbul #Mucver #VegetarianTurkey
49. BÖREK 🥧
WHAT IS IT? Layers or rolls of thin pastry with different fillings.
VEGETARIAN? 🟢 Potato, spinach and cheese varieties can be vegetarian.
VEGAN? 🔴 Don't assume so.
⚠️ Even vegetable börek may contain:
Milk • Yogurt • Butter • Egg
🇹🇷 ASK “Hamurunda veya sosunda süt, yoğurt, tereyağı ya da yumurta var mı?”
#VeganIstanbul #Borek #TurkishFood
50. PEYNİRLİ PİDE 🧀
WHAT IS IT? Turkish pide baked with cheese.
VEGETARIAN? 🟢 Usually
VEGAN? 🔴 No
💡 Vegans can ask whether a vegetable pide can be prepared without cheese, butter or egg instead.
#VeganIstanbul #Pide #VegetarianTurkey
51. CACIK 🥒
WHAT IS IT? A cooling Turkish yogurt dish with cucumber, garlic and herbs.
VEGETARIAN? 🟢 Yes
VEGAN? 🔴 No, traditional cacık contains dairy yogurt.
🌱 A vegan version requires plant-based yogurt.
#VeganIstanbul #Cacik #TurkishMeze
52. HAYDARİ 🌿
WHAT IS IT? A thick, garlicky yogurt-and-herb meze.
VEGETARIAN? 🟢 Usually
VEGAN? 🔴 No
⚠️ Traditional haydari is dairy-based.
#VeganIstanbul #Haydari #TurkishMeze
53. MANTI 🥟
WHAT IS IT? Tiny Turkish dumplings traditionally served with garlic yogurt and butter sauce.
VEGETARIAN? 🟡 Only specially prepared meat-free versions.
VEGAN? 🔴 Traditional mantı is not vegan.
⚠️ IMPORTANT Standard mantı normally contains minced meat inside the dumpling. Removing the yogurt does not make it vegetarian or vegan.
#VeganIstanbul #Manti #TurkishFood
54. CHEESE & EGG BREAKFAST DISHES 🍳🧀
WHAT ARE THEY? Cheese, eggs, butter and egg-based dishes form a major part of the traditional Turkish breakfast spread.
VEGETARIAN? 🟢 Usually
VEGAN? 🔴 No
⚠️ LOOK OUT FOR
🧀 Beyaz peynir - White cheese 🧀 Kaşar - Yellow cheese 🥚 Yumurta - Egg 🧈 Tereyağı - Butter 🍯 Bal - Honey 🍳 Menemen - Egg dish
🌱 THE GOOD NEWS
Olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, tahini-pekmez, preserves and many breads or simit give vegans plenty to build around. VeganIstanbul’s breakfast guide makes essentially this same distinction between the plant-based parts of a Turkish breakfast and the dairy, egg, butter and honey items that need to be removed or avoided.
#VeganIstanbul #TurkishBreakfast #VeganIstanbul
55. POĞAÇA 🥐
WHAT IS IT? A soft Turkish savory pastry commonly eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
VEGETARIAN? 🟢 Many varieties are vegetarian.
VEGAN? 🔴 Usually not.
⚠️ THE FILLING ISN'T THE ONLY ISSUE
Poğaça dough commonly contains:
🥛 Milk or yogurt 🧈 Butter/margarine 🥚 Egg
Cheese-filled varieties also contain dairy.
🇹🇷 ASK “Hamurunda süt, yoğurt, tereyağı veya yumurta var mı?”
Does the dough contain milk, yogurt, butter or egg?
#VeganIstanbul #Pogaca #TurkishBreakfast
56. HAVUÇ TARATOR 🥕
WHAT IS IT? A popular Turkish meze made with grated carrot and a creamy yogurt-garlic dressing.
VEGETARIAN? 🟢 Yes
VEGAN? 🔴 Traditionally no.
MAIN INGREDIENTS 🥕 Carrot • 🥣 Yogurt • 🧄 Garlic • often walnuts
⚠️ Its vegetable appearance can be misleading for vegan visitors — traditional havuç tarator contains dairy.
🌱 A vegan version requires plant-based yogurt.
#VeganIstanbul #HavucTarator #TurkishMeze
👉 ## THE VEGAN GOLDEN RULE 👈
⛔️ EATING VEGAN IN ISTANBUL? REMEMBER THIS: ⛔️
❌ “Vegetable” doesn’t automatically mean vegan. ❌ “Etsiz” means meat-free - not necessarily vegan. ✅ “Zeytinyağlı” is one of the most useful words to know.
ALWAYS CHECK THESE 4:
🧈 Tereyağı - Butter 🥛 Süt / yoğurt - Milk / yogurt 🥚 Yumurta - Egg 🍖 Et/tavuk suyu - Meat/chicken stock
🇹🇷 SAVE THIS SENTENCE
“Veganım. Et, tavuk, balık, süt ürünleri, yumurta ve tereyağı yemiyorum.”
I’m vegan. I don’t eat meat, chicken, fish, dairy, eggs or butter.
📌 Screenshot it. Save it. Show it to your server.
#VeganIstanbul #VeganTravel #IstanbulFoodGuide