Vegan in Istanbul
The 'zeytinyağlı' tradition — vegetables cooked in olive oil and served cold — is an entire category of Turkish cuisine that happens to be vegan. Meze tables, pulses and breads carry the rest.
Plant-based friendliness
79
Dishes that are already plant-based
Zeytinyağlı enginar
Artichokes braised in olive oil.
Mercimek çorbası
Lentil soup — check the stock and butter finish.
Kısır
Bulgur salad with pomegranate molasses.
Simit
Sesame bread ring, vegan by default.
Market staples
BulgurLentilsAubergineOlive oilChickpeasTahini
Phrases to use
- Veganım
- I am vegan.
- Tereyağsız, sütsüz olsun
- Without butter or milk, please.
- Et suyu var mı?
- Does it contain meat stock?
Watch out for
- Butter finishing on soups and rice
- Yoghurt served alongside by default
- Meat stock in pilav
Questions people ask
What does zeytinyağlı mean?
Cooked in olive oil — a class of cold vegetable dishes that are traditionally free of any animal product.