Turkey is a real food heaven. Whether it be sizzling kebabs or sweet, sticky baklava, the nation has flavors that you will never forget even after you leave the country. However, there is one piece of gastronomical culture which you cannot miss, and that is a multiple-colored table of dishes, consisting of small portions of food that provide the essence of the Turkish eating experience.
You can consider meze like the tapas of Turkey with a unique flavor. Preceding the main meal or with a glass of rak (the national alcoholic beverage) in hand, meze is not solely the food, it is also taking time, sharing platters, and relaxing with friends or like-minded residents.
Without wasting any more time, this guide to Bodrum Gumbet will take a US tourist through a journey of finding out what meze is, the dishes one must not miss in the journey, and the best sources to find the most authentic meze spreads, so that a US traveler can experience this wondrous gastronomic dish with confidence.
What is Turkish Meze?
Turkish meze refers to a set of little, flavorful dishes normally served as an appetizer before the primary meal or appetizer with drinks. It is like a table set with colorful plates, creamy dips, fresh salads, smoky vegetables, and crispy bites to share. Instead of being a dish, meze is the spread, and you will get a pinch of everything in order to taste a wide variety of flavors during the meal.
To visualize the US travelers need an easy method, and the easiest one is to compare meze to Spanish tapas or American appetizers. The concept is close–portions to be shared, nibbled on, and not to be full–yet meze has a Turkish twist to it, which is closely tied to the geography and traditions of the country. There is the use of bold spices and olive oil, as well as fresh seasonal ingredients that will show off the Mediterranean way of life.
Meze is an important aspect of Turkish cuisine, more than being a type of food. It is a hospitality, a togetherness of slowing down during a meal. In Turkey, meze does not mean merely sitting down and consuming food, but also talking and laughing and making memories. And wherever you eat in Turkey, whether you sit in a noisy Istanbul tavern or a seaside restaurant on the Aegean coast, it is an eating tradition you will find all around you, and once you partake of it-you will see why it is such a crucial component of Turkish life.
The Cultural Experience of Meze in Turkey
Meze is more than food in Turkey, as it can be regarded as a sign of hospitality and solidarity. When tiny, colourful dishes are placed on a table, it is easy to understand that delicious food, cosy people, and lengthy talks are soon going to take place. The Turkish hosts tend to share a meze to welcome their guests, and they can be considered generous in sharing a variety of tastes to satisfy everyone who is seated at the table.
To eat meze, one of the most appropriate places would be a meyhane or a traditional Turkish tavern. Community members also hang out in these vibrant places after a good day at work or on the weekends; long evenings of food, music, and fellowship with others are enjoyed among them in these restaurants.
Meze is also associated with subscription quarterly, the Turkish national beverage. It is nearly always consumed alongside a smattering of meze, forming what is colloquially referred to by the locals as a rak rief Europa sofras (a rak Iroheta Fitzgerald Europe table). It is all about a balance. The cuisine is light and fresh tasting and the strong drinks give a contrast effect. The social environment adds more flavor to flavours.
When traveling, eating a meze is not only about trying the Turkish food: it is quite the experience of the Turkish approach to the meals, which is to make the meal last long, talk a lot, and enjoy more than sample. Eating meze sitting is really one of the most authentic cultural moments in Turkey.
Types of Meze You Will Encounter
Such diversity is one of the pleasures of eating meze in Turkey: There will be something to please everyone, whether you are big on light, refreshing dips or crave something rich and flavorful, like seafood. The following are the general types that you are likely to encounter as you travel:
Cold Meze (Soğuk Meze)
These are cool, little bread-type dishes served cold or slightly warm. Well-known examples are:
- Cacik (or Cacik)
- Hummus
- Haydari
- Ezme
Hot Meze (Sıcak Meze)
Hot meze is ideal fare when you are in the mood for something warm as well as savory such as hot meze that is cheesy, crispy, and usually seafood. Most favorites include:
- Sigara Böreği
- Grilled Octopus
- Fried Mussels (Midye Tava)
Vegetarian & Seafood Options
US visitors who prefer a certain type of diet will be thrilled with the flexibility of meze. Vegetarians are well catered to with the likes of fava (creamy broad bean puri) and stuffed grape leaves, though seafood enthusiasts will be spoiled with ample fresh fish, shrimp, and mussel-based meze along the coasts.
Regional Variations
Meze varies, as does the rest of Turkish cuisine, region to region:
- In the Aegean area, you will find lighter foods prepared using olive oil, and fresh herbs, and vegetables in season.
- In the Southeast (such as Gaziantep), mezes are spicier with bold flavors of chili peppers, walnuts and a tip-top tomato taste.
- The seafood meze is the enemy to reckon with on the Mediterranean seashore and thus a visitor to the region interested in seafood should not afford to miss it.
- Wherever you go in Turkey, there is a meze to suit the local tastes and customs, so it is an exciting and interesting way to get to know the different foods of Turkey one small dish at a time.
Must-Try Meze Dishes for US Visitors
These are classic Turkish meze dishes, to give you a taste of the cuisine, should you be a novice. You will be able to see them on nearly every platter of meze and they each have their distinctive flavour of the variety that is available in Turkish eating:
- Muhammara
- Patlıcan Salatası
- Sigara Böreği
- Midye Dolma
- Fava
- Ezme
Where to Try Meze in Turkey
Looking for real spots with legit food vibes, not just tourist clichés? Here’s your insider map of the best meze experiences across the country:
Istanbul: Classic Meyhane Culture
- Eleos (Beyoğlu)
- Sofyialı 9
- Giritli Çukur Meyhane (Beyoğlu)
- Nevizade Street (Beyoğlu)
Istanbul Asian Side: Kadıköy
- Koço Restaurant (Moda)
- Piraye Taş Plak Meyhane
Izmir & the Aegean Coast
- Aquarium Mezzes & Grill (Izmir)
- Mavra (Karşıyaka, Izmir)
- Urla region (near Izmir)
Tips for US Travelers Ordering Meze
To order meze in Turkey is not like one would ordering a quick fix appetizer back home. Here is what you should remember to get the best of it:
- Eat Slowly: Meze is enjoyed only slowly. There are shared plates, talk and the table is the heart of the night. It is like dinner and social time combined.
- Mix Cold & Hot Meze: To get the greatest variety, I recommend a mix of cold salads and appetizers (cacik, hummus, ezme) with hotter ones that might be a little richer (sigara boregi, grilled seafood). That is how you taste the complete range of tastes.
- Pair It With Drinks: Conventionally, the serving of meze is accompanied by rak(i), the national drink of Turkey, although you can replace this with a glass of the local wine or an ice-cold beer instead.
- Ask for Recommendations: Don’t be afraid to question your waiter or even the person sitting next to you. Food is the shining armor of Turkish hospitality and people are usually glad to recommend their preferred dishes of meze.
How to Recreate the Meze Experience Back Home
Another great thing about meze is the fact that many of the dishes are quite easy to make, so you can recreate that Turkish dining experience back in the US.
- Start with Easy Recipes: Some meze basics are low maintenance but pack a punch when it comes to flavor. For example:
- Cacık: Fresher, a yogurt, cucumber, fresh herbs, and garlic. It has a similar flavor to Greek tzatziki, and it is just right to serve in summer.
- Muhammara: The smokiness of red pepper, half-roasted walnuts, olive oil, and a scooch of seasoning to make it adventurous.
- Shop Smart for Ingredients: You do not have to travel back to Istanbul to have the real tastes. Yogurt, cucumbers, peppers, and fresh herbs can be purchased at any grocery store in the US. Pomegranate molasses, sumac, or even Turkish white cheese are optional, so see where they are on a visit to a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern shop or order them online.
- Host a Turkish-Style Dinner Night: When it comes to the spirit of the meze, it is not only the food, but also sharing. Put out a small plate and pour drinks (take out, preferably, or trade in some wine or beer), and have people nibble as they converse. Turn on some Turkish music in the background, and have a meyhane-style evening at home.
FAQs
What does “Meze” mean in Turkish food?
In Turkish cuisine, meze is an assortment of small dishes that may be shared together with or accompanied by a drink and main dishes. With a spread instead of a dish, it is something that allows a person to get as many different tastes at the same time.
Is meze the same as tapas?
Not exactly. Meze and tapas are types of small plates to share. However, meze is based on Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Turkish meze can include yogurt-based dips, smoky veggies, fish, foods cooked with olive oil, and produce a flavor distinctly different from tapas in Spain.
How do you eat meze in Turkey?
Meze is piled on in a family-style way. Plates are located at the center of the table, and people adopt only a few pieces at a time. It includes the concept of trying the food slowly, chatting, and drinking accompaniments with the food, such as the Rakl, wine, or beer.
Where can travelers try authentic meze in Istanbul?
Mezes can best be eaten at a traditional meyhane (tavern). The cities that could be affected due to it are Beyoglu and Kadikoy, where the officials retire to spend long nights eating, drinking, and dancing. Restaurants such as Eleos or Cukur Meyhane are excellent to get started with on the first visit.
Is meze vegetarian-friendly?
Yes! Most cold mezes are vegetable-based, including cacik (white sauce with cucumber), fava (broad bean salad), Patlikan salatasi (aubergine salad), and ezme (spicy tomato dip). Those who eat no meat will have a lot to choose and there are plenty of options in Aegean, where olive oil and fresh produce are the mainstream.