Glossary

A

• Ayran: A traditional Turkish yogurt-based beverage made by mixing yogurt, water, and salt. It is often enjoyed as a refreshing drink, especially in the summer, we have it with our kebabs.
• Aci: Hot (spicy)

B

• Börek: A savory pastry made of thin layers of dough, typically filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables. Börek can be baked or fried and is a popular snack or appetiser.
• Bulgur: Cracked wheat used to make side dishes such as bulgur pilav and kisir.

C

• Cacık: A chilled yogurt and cucumber dish, seasoned with garlic and mint. It is similar to Greek tzatziki and is often served as a side dish or a dip.
• Çay: Turkish tea, typically served in small tulip-shaped glasses and enjoyed black. It is a staple of Turkish hospitality and culture.

D

• Dolma: Vegetables, such as peppers, tomatoes, or grape leaves, stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes meat. Dolma can be served hot or cold.
• Döner: A type of kebab made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is sliced thinly and often served in a sandwich or wrap. Doner literally means to rotate.

E

• Ezme: A spicy Turkish salad made from finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs, often seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice.

F

• Firin – Oven: Firin kebap means to make a kebab in the oven, this is usually outdoors in a clay oven.

K

• Kebap/Kebab: A variety of meat dishes, usually grilled or roasted on skewers. Popular types include Adana kebab, shish kebab, and döner kebab.
• Kısır: A bulgur salad mixed with finely chopped vegetables, herbs, and a tangy tomato paste dressing. It is similar to tabbouleh.
• Kofte: Turkish meatballs or patties made from ground meat, usually mixed with herbs and spices. They can be grilled, baked, or fried.
• Kuzu: Lamb

L

• Lahmacun: A thin, round piece of dough topped with minced meat, vegetables, and herbs, then baked. It is often referred to as Turkish pizza.

M

• Meze: A selection of small dishes served as appetisers or snacks. Meze can include a variety of cold and hot dishes, such as hummus, dolma, and ezme.
• Mangal: BBQ

P

• Pide: A boat-shaped Turkish flatbread topped with various ingredients such as cheese, meat, or vegetables. It is similar to pizza and is often baked in a stone oven.
• Pirinich/Pilav: Pirinch means rice and pilav is the name of the rice dish. You could have pirinich pilav or bulgur pilav.

S

• Sucuk: A dry, spicy sausage made from ground meat and a variety of spices. It is commonly sliced and grilled or fried.
• Sis (shish): Skewer

T

• Turşu: Pickled vegetables, such as cucumbers, cabbage, or peppers, commonly served as a side dish or snack.
• Tavuk: Chicken
• Tatli: Mild

Z

• Zeytin: Olive