If you’re wondering what children eat or what they’d like to eat in Istanbul, you’ve come to the right place. I’m a local tour guide, born and raised in Istanbul. Over the past ten years, I’ve guided so many people from all over the world that I honestly can’t remember the exact number. Tourists from diverse backgrounds and all corners of the globe have trusted my knowledge of Turkish food. It’s probably the most important topic, and when I saw search results starting with ‘kebab’, I thought: it’s time to write “15 Healthy Turkish Foods Kids Will Love in Istanbul” for families looking for food their children can enjoy in Istanbul.
This guide isn’t just meant to list foods, but also to explain Istanbul’s dining culture for children. I’ve also included some of my own stories, as I was once a Turkish child myself—lucky enough to have been raised by a mother who could cook amazing dishes all day, every day. So grab a cup of coffee, and let’s begin!
A List of Turkish Foods and Desserts Your Child Will Love in Istanbul
- Menemen (Turkish Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes)
- Lentil Patties (Mercimek Köftesi)
- Meatballs & Potatoes (Köfte-Patates)
- Stuffed Eggplants (Karnıyarık)
- Green Beans in Olive Oil (Taze Fasulye)
- Leek Stew (Pırasa Yemeği)
- Yogurt Soup (Yayla Çorbası)
- Tarhana Soup
- Crispy Cheese Rolls (Sigara Böreği)
- Stuffed Grape Leaves (Yaprak Sarma)
- Turkish Noodles (Erişte)
- Bulgur Pilaf (Bulgur Pilavı)
- Tomato Rice Pilaf (Domatesli Pilav)
- Semolina Halva (İrmik Helvası)
- Milk Pudding (Muhallebi)
If we were to compile a list of dishes that would appeal to children all over Turkey, these dishes would certainly feature on it. As a child, I too had the chance to grow up enjoying all these “15 Healthy Turkish Foods Kids Will Love in Istanbul”. Now, let’s take a look at these dishes together.
Menemen (Turkish Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes)
This dish, a staple of every Turkish breakfast, might just make children who don’t usually like eggs reconsider their stance.
Just as much as we enjoy it for breakfast, we in Turkey also prefer this dish for lunch, or even as a light dinner. Menemen represents the peak of what an egg-based dish can achieve in Turkish cuisine. Thanks to the nutritious ingredients it contains, it is not only rich in protein but also a filling meal.
If you’re planning to visit Turkey and Istanbul, you can confidently choose Menemen as a meal option for your child. I would advise only those with allergies to the ingredients listed below to take care. Also, some restaurants may prepare this dish with onions. When ordering, you can certainly ask for it without onions.
Lentil Patties (Mercimek Köftesi)
When I was a child, we could only see this magical treat if it was a truly special weekend, or if there were food-based events organised at school known as ‘kermes’. “Kermes” is a kind of festive community event: a fair. It’s sad to see social media videos of children today spilling sweets and chips at school.
This dish, which is mainly made with red lentils and is quite tasty in its own right, is sure to be a hit with children of almost any age. Although it may not look particularly impressive, it is very tasty and, thanks to the ingredients used, is a wonderfully nutritious meal.
It contains vegetables that should be included in your child’s diet. It’s likely to be the food your child will ask you for when you return to your home country.
Meatballs & Potatoes (Köfte-Patates)
Meatballs and chips are more of a childhood dream than just a meal. When we were children, we always asked for this dish as a reward for getting good marks. As you can imagine, we didn’t get to eat it very often. 🙂
There’s something appealing about this combination. Please don’t confuse the meatballs and chips in this dish with the unhealthy fare served at those fast-food chains. When prepared in the traditional Turkish style, this dish is one of the most natural meals you can eat outside your home.
I don’t usually recommend that children eat fried potatoes. Moreover, the oil used in fast-food chains is toxic in itself. This dish uses natural oils and contains less salt than standard fried potatoes. You really must give it a go; you’ll see the difference for yourself.
Stuffed Eggplants (Karnıyarık)
We are very fortunate to enjoy the health benefits that Turkish cuisine brings to our lives in Istanbul. Stuffed Eggplants (aubergine), with its high fibre content and the protein found in minced meat, helps regulate blood sugar levels. As well as helping you feel full, it provides a rich source of vitamins and minerals, making it a dish that can play an important role in children’s growth.
Now I understand much better why my mother fed us this kind of diet when I was a child. A diet high in carbohydrates is a very harmful factor in child development. Turkish cuisine, particularly its vegetable-based dishes, will support your children’s growth during your stay.
When you visit Istanbul, you might want to choose this dish for your child’s lunch; its high-fiber content will keep them full, allowing you to continue your sightseeing for as long as possible throughout the day.
Green Beans in Olive Oil (Taze Fasulye)
Green beans are a low-calorie vegetable rich in fibre, protein and vitamins. It helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and aids digestion, thereby preventing problems such as constipation.
What’s more, it supports bone health and boosts the immune system thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties. It could be your best defence against illness for your children when they’re travelling long distances and exposed to changes in climate.
It is a low-calorie, complementary food and can be an effective way of helping children, whose diet consists mainly of fast food, to adapt to Turkish cuisine and dietary habits. This will ensure that they grow up to be physically strong individuals.
Leek Stew (Pırasa Yemeği)
Most children don’t like vegetable dishes, but I’ve been a huge fan of leek stew ever since I was a child. What’s more, this dish boosts the immune system, aids digestion and, thanks to its low-calorie content, helps with weight loss. It supports heart health, balances blood sugar levels and protects cells with its powerful antioxidants.
Everyone on the internet seems to be keen on feeding children lahmacun and kebabs. The truth is that those creating this content are unaware—and don’t care—that spicy foods can upset children and aren’t suitable for all age groups.
I feel like shouting ‘Leek!’ at everyone giving all that bad advices.
Yogurt Soup (Yayla Çorbası)
For those who prefer a dish with a bit more liquid, I would recommend trying yoghurt soup. It is a rich source of probiotics, calcium and protein. It supports the immune system and aids digestion by regulating gut flora.
Yogurt Soup was one of the special soups my mum used to make when I was a child. What’s more, its rich ingredients make it easy for children to enjoy without getting bored. Contrary to what one might expect, it is a soup that can be enjoyed not only in the winter months but also in the summer.
If you don’t want your child to have a meal with a very varied menu, you could start with this soup and then round it off with another dish that leaves them feeling full. It certainly deserves a place on my list of ‘15 Healthy Turkish Foods Kids Will Love in Istanbul’.
Tarhana Soup
If your child doesn’t particularly like dairy products, you could give them tarhana soup instead of yoghurt soup. This soup also contains a little yoghurt, but as it has been dried, it does not have the texture or taste of fresh milk.
Tarhana soup is a miracle of Anatolia. With its high content of probiotics, fibre, vitamins and minerals, it acts as a natural immune shield. It aids digestion, boosts the body’s resistance to protect against illness, and provides energy throughout the day thanks to its high nutritional value.
It is the best-known soup in Turkish cuisine, and I highly recommend you try it.
Crispy Cheese Rolls (Sigara Böreği)
This is a type of pastry. Although it could be translated literally into English as ‘Crispy Cheese Rolls’, we Turks refer to it as a ‘cigarette’ pastry because of its shape, which resembles a cigarette. There’s nothing to worry about—it’s just a meal. 🙂
Although this dish is traditionally fried in oil, it can also be baked in the oven. I grew up eating the fried version, but I find the baked version healthier. I believe that, if possible, children under the age of 6 or 7 should not eat fried foods at all.
Personally, I’d recommend the oven-baked version, but you can also enjoy the version that’s lightly fried in a little oil.
Stuffed Grape Leaves (Yaprak Sarma)
For some reason, when people think of Turkish food, they always think of döner. But there’s a dish I’d like you to know about—and I really want you to make sure your child tries it. When you visit Istanbul, you must try stuffed grape leaves. On average, 5–6 medium-sized stuffed vine leaves in olive oil can be eaten as a balanced main meal, accompanied by a bowl of soup and a salad.
With its high-fibre content and surprisingly delicious flavour, this dish is a must-have on your children’s menu. I should point out that it is not advisable to give this to children under the age of 5 or 6. The texture of the leaves, which can be relatively difficult to chew, may cause them discomfort. I recommend cutting them into small pieces for them to try, or giving them to children over the age of 5 or 6 under your supervision.
Kids will love this meal. And it totally deserves a place on my list of ‘15 Healthy Turkish Foods Kids Will Love in Istanbul’.
Turkish Noodles (Erişte)
We can’t really say that we Turks are big pasta fans. When you come to Istanbul, you can find pasta here, but the dish I’d recommend is far better than pasta. It’s called Erişte.
Thanks to its high carbohydrate content, it is an effective source of energy. If your child has a fondness for pasta-based foods, you can give them Turkish noodles. What sets this dish apart from any other pasta dish is not only its texture but also the feta cheese and walnuts it contains.
We can’t possibly list all the benefits of walnuts here. In my opinion, natural, unprocessed Turkish noodles are definitely the best choice if children are going to eat carbohydrates.
Bulgur Pilaf (Bulgur Pilavı)
Another healthy, carbohydrate-rich meal we can highlight is bulgur pilaf. This highly nutritious dish is an excellent source of fibre. Consequently, children who eat this meal will feel hungry much later than those who eat hamburgers and, more importantly, will obtain vitamins and minerals that they would not get from fast food.
On my own tours, I have often noticed that families tend to opt for the kinds of food they are used to seeing in the West. In my view, the riches of Turkish cuisine have not been properly showcased to them before. That is why I think the article I wrote has become much more meaningful.
Be sure to try it, whether you prefer the tomato version or the plain one. It will prevent your child from getting tired whilst travelling.
Tomato Rice Pilaf (Domatesli Pilav)
The last dish I’d like to include on the list is tomato rice. If your child is allergic to tomatoes, you can also opt for the plain or buttered versions of this dish.
If your child gets hungry quickly and tires easily, you should definitely give this dish a try. Turkish pilaf is a hearty dish that quickly meets the body’s basic energy needs; in terms of its preparation and texture, it differs slightly from its relatives in world cuisine.
It’s a lovely dish that goes well with a light vegetable dish, or which children aged 7 or 8 and older can enjoy with meat or meatballs.
Semolina Halva (İrmik Helvası)
Now for the desserts in ‘15 Healthy Turkish Foods Kids Will Love in Istanbul’. I can’t understand why people recommend baklava to children of all ages. Either they are unaware that children in their formative years should not be introduced to syrupy desserts such as baklava, or it is simply easier to write that way.
I recommend that if children are going to eat sweets, they should eat a reasonable amount of semolina halva. Although this dessert contains sugar, it is a healthy treat that provides quick and effective energy thanks to its high carbohydrate content, and supports muscle, nervous system and digestive functions thanks to its B vitamins and minerals.
What’s more, your blood sugar levels won’t spike when you eat this dessert. The pine nuts and walnuts not only provide nutritional benefits but also make this dessert a delicious treat.
Milk Pudding (Muhallebi)
If I told my mum that I’d included Muhallebi on the list of foods children absolutely must try in Istanbul, she wouldn’t believe me. Because I’ve never been a fan of milk pudding since I was a child. It’s not that I hate the taste; it’s actually just that I don’t really fancy eating it. All that aside, if my own child were to ask for something sweet now that I’m an adult, I’d give them some milk pudding.
With its high calcium and protein content, muhallebi supports bone health, whilst its light texture makes it easy to digest. It’s a healthy way to satisfy sweet cravings. When we were children, whenever my mum made this dessert, she’d add cinnamon and pistachios to it to trick me.
If you’re a child with a sweet tooth, the best thing you can treat yourself to is a bowl of milk pudding. I saw recently that there are also versions made entirely from pistachios.
Conclusion
Turkish dishes are suitable, tasty and nutritious for children of all ages. When compiling this list, I have tried to suggest options that I consider healthy. I hope my article on “15 Healthy Turkish Foods Kids Will Love in Istanbul” will be of help to you when you visit Istanbul with your children.
As a tour guide and, above all, someone who is passionate about Turkish cuisine, I think you’ll enjoy some delicious meals here. In the special section for children on my blog, I have set aside a section dedicated to content that will capture their interest and has been created just for them. I will continue to add content to this section whenever I get the chance. That is why your views and suggestions are very important to me. You can let me know what you’d like to know using the contact form provided here. You can also follow my social media accounts and get in touch with me via these platforms.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. In my next article, I’ll continue to bring you the most accurate content from Istanbul on a different topic. Until then.
