"Istanbul's most consumed food: a sesame-encrusted bread ring baked with a molasses glaze. Red carts at every corner. 500 million eaten annually in Turkey."
About Simit
Istanbul's most consumed food: a circular bread ring encrusted with sesame seeds after being dipped in molasses water before baking, giving a glossy, mahogany crust that shatters and a soft, chewy crumb; sold from red simit carts at every Istanbul street corner; 500 million consumed annually in Turkey; the mandatory breakfast companion to Turkish tea and white cheese.
Simit, a staple of Turkey's cuisine
Istanbul's Bread Ring
Simit is Istanbul's most ubiquitous street food: a ring of bread encrusted with sesame seeds, with a glossy mahogany crust and a soft, chewy crumb. Sold from red carts on nearly every corner, it is eaten on the move, at breakfast and throughout the day. Few foods are as woven into the daily life of the city.
The Crust
The signature of a good simit is its crust, achieved by dipping the dough in diluted grape molasses before rolling it in sesame seeds and baking. The molasses gives both the deep colour and a crust that shatters at the first bite, revealing the chewy interior. Without that molasses dip it is merely a sesame bread ring, which is a different thing.
The Carts
Simit is sold from distinctive red carts and by vendors carrying trays on their heads, the same low price on every corner. Its sheer ubiquity makes it the city's most democratic food, eaten by everyone at some point in the day. The best comes from a cart with high turnover, where it is freshly baked rather than stale.
A Breakfast Staple
Simit is a classic Turkish breakfast, eaten with white cheese, olives and tea, or simply on its own with a glass of cay. Warm from the oven, the sesame still fragrant and the crust crackling, it is at its best. It is to Istanbul what a fresh roll is to other cities, only more so.
What to Expect
The simit arrives from the cart warm, the sesame seeds still fragrant from the oven. The crust shatters on the first bite. The crumb inside is soft and slightly chewy. Eaten with white cheese (beyaz peynir), it is Istanbul's breakfast.
Why Try It
Simit is Istanbul's most democratic food, the same price on every corner, eaten by every Istanbullu at some point in every day.
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Insider Tips
Buy from a cart that has a visible turnover, fresh simit versus stale simit is night and day.
Eat with beyaz peynir (white cheese), the combination is the Istanbul standard.
Simit Sarayı is a reliable chain for consistent quality.
