Interfaz en español — el contenido de locales y platos está por ahora en turco. La traducción completa está en camino.

What are you in the mood for?

Tell us what you are craving and we will do the rest. The suggestions shift as you choose, and each one says why it appeared and what balances it at the table.

This section is currently available in Turkish and English.

Pick a craving (You can choose more than one.)

Something sweetsyrupy, milky, lightly sweet Something sourlemony, tempered, yogurt-based Something hotisot pepper, chili flakes Something saltycheese, cured meat Spice-forwardcinnamon, cumin, garlic Lightolive oil, vegetables, cool Fillingmeat, dough, oven-baked Refreshingyogurt, mint, served cold

Dietary preference

all Vegetarian Vegan Gluten-free clear selection

Hot and refreshing is a good pair: a yogurt-based side next to a spicy plate is the way to balance it.

9 suggestions

Şalgam
Bebida fermentada de zanahoria morada, rábanos y harina de bulgur de la región de Adana-Mersin; acompañante del kebab y del çiğ köfte.
Why this: Light → hafif · Something sour → ekşili · Spice-forward → acılı · Something hot → acılı
Table balance
Alongside
Cacık or plain yogurt: dairy tames chili heat far faster than water does. Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate.
Afterwards
After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.
Easy to miss
Iced water only masks the heat for a moment; it comes back quickly.
Open the record Where to eat
Tamarindo
Ejemplo de la familia de los jarabes donde la fruta ácida se equilibra con azúcar y especias medidas; cada mezcla de especias no es una receta secreta del palacio.
Why this: Light → hafif · Something sour → ekşili · Refreshing → serinletici · Spice-forward → baharatlı
Table balance
Alongside
Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate.
Afterwards
After a spice-forward plate, a plain herbal infusion clears the palate. After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.
Open the record Where to eat
Çiğ Köfte
Una köfte originaria de Şanlıurfa y Adıyaman, hecha de bulgur fino amasado con isot y especias durante horas. La versión sin carne que se vende hoy en día se consume con lechuga y limón.
Why this: Light → hafif · Something sour → ekşimsi · Spice-forward → acılı · Something hot → acılı
Table balance
Alongside
Cacık or plain yogurt: dairy tames chili heat far faster than water does.
Afterwards
After a spice-forward plate, a plain herbal infusion clears the palate. After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.
Easy to miss
Iced water only masks the heat for a moment; it comes back quickly.
Open the record Where to eat
Acılı Ezme
Mezcla de tomate y pimiento picados finamente, aderezada con pasta de tomate, ácido y especias; acompañante indispensable del kebab.
Why this: Light → hafif · Something sour → ekşili · Spice-forward → acılı · Something hot → acılı
Table balance
Alongside
Cacık or plain yogurt: dairy tames chili heat far faster than water does. Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate.
Afterwards
After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.
Easy to miss
Iced water only masks the heat for a moment; it comes back quickly. On a meze table balance beats variety: one yogurt-based, one olive-oil, one sharp is enough.
Open the record Where to eat
Dolma de hojas de parra
El relleno se prepara con cebolla finamente picada, arroz, pasas y piñones, y se envuelve en hojas de parra. Es un plato frío imprescindible en las mesas del Egeo y de Marmara.
Why this: Light → hafif · Something sour → ekşimsi · Spice-forward → tarçınlı · untuosidad
Table balance
Alongside
A lemon wedge and fresh bread; a heavy meat plate alongside would hide the dish entirely.
Afterwards
After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.
Easy to miss
Olive-oil dishes are not eaten straight from the fridge; the aroma opens near room temperature.
Open the record Where to eat
Kısır
Es un plato de mesa en el que se mezcla bulgur fino con pasta de tomate, ácido y hierbas; no debe considerarse tan solo como una ensalada.
Why this: Light → hafif · Something sour → ekşili · Refreshing → otlu · Spice-forward → otlu
Table balance
Alongside
Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate.
Afterwards
After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.
Easy to miss
On a meze table balance beats variety: one yogurt-based, one olive-oil, one sharp is enough.
Open the record Where to eat
Hummus
Garbanzos, tahini y limón son una familia común que trasciende las fronteras de la región; en el sur de Turquía, también se presenta caliente y con mantequilla.
Why this: Light → hafif · Something sour → limonlu · Spice-forward → sarımsaklı · untuosidad
Table balance
Alongside
Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate.
Afterwards
After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.
Easy to miss
On a meze table balance beats variety: one yogurt-based, one olive-oil, one sharp is enough.
Open the record Where to eat
Barbunya Pilaki
in season
Es una popular variante de la tradición pilaki, donde judías (barbunya) frescas o secas se cocinan con cebolla, ajo, zanahoria y tomate en aceite de oliva. Se sirve fría y es un clásico de los restaurantes de trabajadores.
Why this: Something sour → domatesli · Filling → orta ağırlık · untuosidad
Table balance
Alongside
A lemon wedge and fresh bread; a heavy meat plate alongside would hide the dish entirely.
Easy to miss
Olive-oil dishes are not eaten straight from the fridge; the aroma opens near room temperature.
Open the record Where to eat
Apio al aceite de oliva
Es un plato de invierno donde el apio raíz se cocina en aceite de oliva con zanahoria y limón; la versión con naranja es común en el Egeo.
Why this: Light → hafif · Something sour → limonlu · untuosidad
Table balance
Alongside
Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate. A lemon wedge and fresh bread; a heavy meat plate alongside would hide the dish entirely.
Afterwards
After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.
Easy to miss
Olive-oil dishes are not eaten straight from the fridge; the aroma opens near room temperature.
Open the record Where to eat

Suggestions are about taste balance, not health or nutrition advice. Scores are derived from each record's own flavour description.