I'm Irish and I've been to Istanbul twice. Incredible food and incredible hospitality. Turkey is an awesome country, incredibly underrated destination for Europeans since many don't consider it "European" but to me, Turkey is the perfect blend of Europe and the Middle East

0:17 Istanbul is not the capital, but the most important city. Ankara is the capital lol.

As a Turk, I can say that it is the best promotional video I have ever watched. I have never encountered such quality content before.

You've really had an incredible food tour! For people coming to Turkey and wanting to try these dishes, I have written down the names of all the foods you ate in this video. 1:03 - Simit 2:28 - Menemen with Sucuk and Kaşar (Kashar) Cheese (not mozerella) 2:30 - Ezine Cheese (not feta cheese) and Kaşar Cheese 2:38 - Honey and Kaymak (not clotted cream) 2:41 - Pişi (Pishi) with Pastirma and Kaşar Cheese 5:23 - Midye Tava (Fried Mussels) 5:31 - That sauce called “tarator” 6:25 - Midye Dolma (Stuffed Mussels) 10:35 - Etli Ekmek (not Turkish Pizza) 12:08 - Tandır Kebap 16:25 - Döner Kebap 17:21 - Ayran 18:20 - Cag Kebap 22:06 - Fistikli Kebap (kebap with pictachio) normally you wouldn't have one with pine nuts and cheese. This must be the restaurant's own take on it. 23:54 - The side dishes are “Mezes” not dips. You normally don’t dip your kebap into them. The mezes available there: Haydari, Acili Ezme, Patlican Salatasi, Muhammara, Humus 29:34 - Çiğ Köfte (raw meatball) 32:20 - Uykuluk (Thymus) 32:32 - Koç Yumurtasi (ram testicles) 34:11 - Raki 37:07 - Kokoreç (kokorech) 38:27 - Şalgam 43:29 - Mumbar 44:26 - Şırdan (Shirdan) 45:10 - Kelle (lamb heads) 48:42 - Büryan Kebap 49:52 - Perde Pilavi (curtained rice) 52:30 - Künefe 1:06:55 - Baklava (Carrot Slice Shape) It's natural to name an unfamiliar dish by its ingredients or compare it to another dish that seems similar, but it's also somewhat unfair. Referring to Ayran as "Yogurt Juice," Etli Ekmek as "Turkish Pizza," or Sucuk as "Spicy Sausage" is akin to calling Gelato "Italian Ice Cream," Sushi "Raw Fish Rolls," or Paella "Seafood Rice" - it seems to oversimplify their uniqueness. This might stem from the fact that despite having such wonderful dishes in Turkish cuisine, we haven't been very successful in promoting them globally. So perhaps, it's partly our fault.

FYI Istanbul is not capital of Türkiye! It is the biggest city, but capital of Türkiye is Ankara! It is located more towards the center of the country, so more east and slightly more south. Istanbul is often mistakenly thought of as Türkiye's capital due to its popularity and size.

I went to Istanbul last year for 2 weeks with my wife. We have tried almost all the food here in the video and it was very delicious, but we gained 5 kgs from that lol. If we didn't walk a lot we would have gained 10 instead of 5 kgs. That eggplant yogurt was phenomenal with meat. Apart from great meat food they have some amazing deserts too. Especially baklava (the one you tried looks fantastic and delicious) and some apple desert, but can't remember the name of that one. Also, their coffee and tea are very good. Starbucks is trash compared to the quality of their coffee. Turkish people are very friendly and they are so proud of their food.

Turkish people appreciate when tourists visit their country and show interest in their food and culture. They enjoy sharing their dishes. They love to feed other people, this is considered a sign of respect. :)

I am so glad that you could taste most of the real Turkish food, not the advertised garbage on all other channels. This video is excellent and also very educative for tourists.

Lived in Istanbul 92-94. Some of the best food and people I've ever experienced in my life.

I was in Turkey just last month and already missing the place. The culture and food were unique and something to behold. Will be back there again next year!

I have been to a lots of countries Latin America, Europe, Asia and my fav is turkish foods when I was in istanbul I feel like I'm in a food heaven. The best in the world! I have to visit again!

Turkey is such a wonderful country. A very ancient part of the world. You can feel it just walking around there. From the Hittite Empire to the Mycenaean Greeks, the Roman Empire, the Ottomans all the way through modern day Turkey. Wonderfully hospitable people. Amazing food. Beautiful cities and landscapes.

I've been to many countries around the globe but I should say there's no better food than Turkish one.It looks like food from a different world. Best food I've ever tasted.

I have been all over world. Turkey is the best when it comes to tourism and food!

I went to Istanbul in 2010 for work and they were very hospitable and they even shut down a restaurant to give us a special dinner. That food was awesome, we had different platters of different meats and the best was steak tartar and kabob wraps with a long pepper for lunch.

dear vegans, dont worry. you can eat pickles too.☺

I got EXTREMELY respect to Turkish people. They are undoubtedly the best behaved people around the world, the nicest, kindest and most considerate people in this world. I watch most famous Youtuvers from different cultures and who speak different languages from French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian and have followed them around the world and seen how rude people are in India, USA, China, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, etc. I am from Mexico living in the USA. I always thought Mexicans were the nicest people but, I was mistaken. Even mexicans are rude compared to Turkish people. The worst people are Indians, French and the German. But, man, Turkey is in a whole another level. They are super extremely nice, kinda, professional, very welcoming and extremely friendly. I am so jealous of how kind and sweet they are. MY respect and admiration to all of them.

Thanks you for showing the greatest of Turkish cuisine to the world! I truly enjoyed watching this video thinking of each dish and start planning to visit my country asap. It is not only the food but also hospitality of people, all the chefs we see it here.

I dropped my wallet while walking on the street in Istanbul and I would like to thank the Turkish person who picked it up and brought it to me. Turks are truly wonderful and honorable people.

Gosh this food looks sooo good! I've spent the past day binging these documentaries and I truly wish I had even an inkling of culture that the people and places Sonny visits does. Its really a blessing that I can live in Southern US and still learn how those huge kebabs are made! Food truly is a labor of love that I dont get to experience often with the prevalence of fast (frozen) food where I live.

Wow! Turkish food looks good and tastes even better. Turkish people are also some of the nicest!

@30:10, something might have been lost in translation during the filming there. Cigkofte is traditionally made "with" meat just as you watched, but within the last 15-20 years, it mostly got replaced with the version without the meat because of government regulations not allowing sale of raw meat/raw meat products for consumption. and the decreased cost due to excluding meat made the vegetarian version much more widespread than the original. Obviously, traditionally it is a much difficult dish to prepare, since they don't use a meat mixer, and do it all by hand instead. And I was surprised that they didn't show or even mention how to check if it is the right consistency, which is basically by tossing and making it stick to the ceiling )).

Missed Cilbir at breakfast! Poached egg over garlic yoghurt with spicy oil on top. Such a good dish. Fell in love with it the first time I had it when visiting.

Learning how a country cooks the foods is the best way to understand how things are prepared, and what ingredients that makes there food so delicious.

I’ve wanted to visit Turkey forever! It’s at the top of my list for travel and all my American friends are like “wait why?” And I’m like, because Turkish culture and cuisine is amazing!

What a most wonderful food tour! Love this! Food looks incredible, but even better are the sweet people you encountered. I love their passion for their food and how they want to feed you! This one is great!

I never made it to Istanbul, but I spent 2 years in southern Turkey. I've been chasing those flavors for over 20 years

KZfaq does don't deserve this level of production quality. Great video guys.

Turkish food never Disappointed me one of my favorite

Turkey is really a Food Heaven . Turkey is really a Food Heaven .

What difference does it make if he is aware of the capital city's name? Feel content, joyful, and thankful that he chose to visit your nation and a beautiful city like Istanbul in order to promote its cuisine, people, customs, and culinary culture. This guy is amazing; not only is he promoting Turkey with his own money, but he is also doing us viewers a great service, especially for people who cannot afford to travel to Turkey and try all the delicious food there.

If you want to make a vlog for Turkish cuisine, the minimum duration of the video is 72 hours. As a Turkish citizen, even I could only try half of it until I was 32 years old.

I spent a month in Istanbul during 2001 and I loved all the food. Became addicted to chi kofte ( Raw beef with lettuce dish ) but I didn’t know it was raw meat. When I later visited southern Turkey, olu deniz, I went all week trying to find that chi kofte. Finally found a chef that would make it for me and he wondered how I knew of it as it’s not a tourist dish… I told him of my stay in Istanbul, years before. And he proudly went off to make it for me. Then while eating it with me, I learnt it was raw. Didn’t put me off at all. Awesome stuff.

As a Turkish born and raised in Istanbul, I vouch for this video. There is nothing left that you haven't tasted, I have never seen such a perfect promotion. I will follow you, and from now on, before travel to a country, I will look at your page and check if there is a promotional video about that country. Thank you.

I'm going on a trip to Bulgaria and also staying in Istanbul Old City for a few days. The Güvenç Konyalı place looks so good! Great review

Turkey has AMAZING looking food I’m sure it’s delicious as well. As a Mexican and loving Mexican food I’d love to go out there and try everything!!

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🍖 Istanbul offers unique and outrageous street food experiences, featuring unusual organ dishes and kebabs. 01:16 🍞 Turkish breakfast includes items like chewy sesame-covered bread rings called "simit" and fried bread stuffed with pastrami and cheese. 04:10 🐚 Istanbul's streets offer unique twists on traditional mussels, including spicy mussels and fried mussels on a stick. 06:49 🥒 Turkish pickle shops offer a variety of pickled vegetables and fruits, including pickled plums and melons. 10:00 🍕 Turkish meat dishes include lamb shank and lamb neck, which are incredibly tender and flavorful. 15:52 🌯 A massive "doner kebab" tower is made by stacking layers of beef and lamb, slow-cooked for hours, and served in lavash bread. 18:13 🍢 The "chog ja kebab" is a horizontal skewer-style kebab, where meat is impaled on a huge spit, roasted, and served in lavash bread. 18:56 🍖 Exploring Turkish grilled meat skewers with flavorful seasoning and bread to soak up the juices. 20:31 🍗 Trying a traditional Turkish chicken dish cooked with rock salt in a wood-fire oven. 21:12 🍚 Preparing the chicken dish by stuffing it with rice and salt, then roasting it. 22:10 🍢 Witnessing the creation of an extra-long kebab made from lamb and beef. 23:36 🥖 Enjoying the unique combination of flavors in a long kebab, served with various dips and bread. 27:12 🍗 Experiencing the dramatic presentation of a chicken dish cooked within a salt shell. 29:25 🥩 Exploring exotic dishes, including raw meatballs and lamb testicles prepared in various ways. 31:10 🍳 Watching the preparation of lamb testicles and thymus cooked with skill and creativity. 34:53 🍽️ Tasting lamb testicles cooked with butter and spices and discovering their unique flavors. 37:06 🌭 Exploring the Turkish dish "Cıgara Böreği," which includes minced intestines and organs stuffed inside bread. 37:47 🍖 Lamb organs and intestines are seasoned with oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and cumin to create a unique and flavorful dish. 39:13 🌶️ The combination of crispy lamb fat and crunchy texture of intestines, along with oregano, salt, and cumin, creates a delicious and rich flavor. 40:24 🧠 A classic Turkish dish called "Showdon" is made using one of the four compartments of a sheep's stomach, stuffed with rice, lamb meat, and spices. 43:30 🍖 Lamb heads are boiled with beef bones and spices, with special attention to the eyes, which are considered a delicacy. 47:08 🍖 Lamb meat is slow-cooked in a deep pit, creating incredibly tender and succulent meat. 49:45 🍴 Turkish dessert "Knafeh" consists of stretchy cheese, layers of pastry, and a thick syrup, creating a unique sweet and savory flavor. 55:48 🍰 Freshly prepared Knafeh is both sweet and savory, with a crunchy crust, stretchy cheese, and sugary syrup, making it a unique and delicious dessert. 56:46 💰 The menu features a gold-covered tomahawk steak priced at 5500 Lira, making it one of the most expensive items. 57:12 ☕ The "Golden Cappuccino" is a regular cappuccino with a slice of gold on top. 57:54 🍖 The steak tartar is a starter and costs 540 Lira. 58:32 🍷 The video shows the selection of expensive wines. 59:04 🍔 The "Golden Burger" is a unique, stunt-like dish covered in cheese. 59:18 🍟 The "Blooming Onion" is a relatively affordable dish compared to the golden options. 01:00:00 🍖 The "Golden Asado" features a 24 karat gold-coated short rib that has been roasted for eight hours. 01:02:40 🐑 The "Golden Kuzu Kuzusu" is a 24 karat gold-coated rack of lamb, a nod to Turkey's love for lamb. 01:04:40 🥩 The "Golden Steak" is a New York steak covered in gold and salt. 01:06:17 🍰 The "Golden Baklava" is a dessert featuring pistachios, Turkish ice cream, and gold on top. 01:08:13 💸 The total cost of the meal was 830 dollars, making it the most expensive meal the KZfaqr has ever bought. Made with HARPA AI

Some of the best Turkish restaurants I have ever been to were in Atlanta 8n Dekalb County, Georgia. Miniatures of this, though I didn't know it at the time. I am horribly impressed by the depth of thoroughness of this show!

one of the best videos I've ever seen ,thank you for doing such an amazing video showing the culture of middle east in general and spotting the light on the turkish delicious food which is a very big part of the culture in Turkey I really enjoyed this video

The Ottoman Empire’s influence on food during their rule over vast lands has to be top 3 gastronomically influential empires of all time. Much love Sonny, keep up the amazing work you do of you educating many of us. Respect.

I am in Thailand and it's freaking hard to find a protein heavy meal without paying a ton of money. Everything out here that is reasonably priced is pure carbs and spicy. It's kind of depressing when you are trying to lay off the sugar. I have had my eye on Turkish cuisine after watching their restaurants on tik tok. You did not mention the prices so i did you the favor of finding the restaurants in the video and doing conversion of the price of the dishes you ordered and MAN, it's crazy cheap and loaded with protein ! I need to go to Turkey ASAP !

Ty so much for sharing. Visited Istanbul recently and made sure to go to Guvenc Konyali and had the dish you recommended. Family and I loved it and this was one of the most memorable meals we had in Turkey.

Not even 15 minutes in and it's already incredible what skills the chefs have!

Turkey is really a Food Heaven ❤

The most beautiful country in the world excellent food very friendly people ❤turkey

The absolute joy of eating.... and of watching! Loved this!!!

AM IN NAIROBI AND AM HOPING THAT ONE DAY I WILL GO TO TURKEY BECAUSE OF THEIR FOOD,LOOKS DELICIOUS

Food and drink in Turkey is either healthy or delicious. Since we usually eat a lot, we want to balance it with healthy drinks. That's why our drinks are generally probiotic. Ayran, turnip juice, pickles, pickle juice, boza, kefir etc. Even if they taste bad, salty or sour, they are healthy in the long run and once you get used to them, you will prefer them instead of fizzy drinks. I am a fan of all your videos. Turkish people love cheerful, witty, outgoing people like you, and they loved you too.

Travelled to Turkey many times, never as a tourist. The real Turkish food is really healthy. Once you’ve experienced home made Turkish food you’ll never forget it. Eating on the street or in a restaurant will never relay the outstanding recipes that exist. Home cooking is soooo much better.

so far this is your best video for the last 4-5 years your vocabulary got really interesting

Keep these videos coming. Their so inspiring. That lamb looks amazing.

The video is very nice, thank you. We welcome everyone to Turkey; as a country, we have the cleanest and most delicious street food in the world. I started watching the video, and it said Istanbul is the capital of Turkey. No, my friends, I'm sorry, but that was 100 years ago. The capital of Turkey is Ankara.

I went to Turkey to this April. Really love their food! Want to go back again

I congratulate you for the respect and love you have shown to our food culture and to us. We watched the video you prepared with pleasure. We look forward to the time when we will see you again in Turkey. Thank you :))

You're really amazing food tour ! I will review these foods once I go there. Turkey is one of my food tour destination too. 😋 Thanks for making this video 😍

You don't just talk, you're so quick witted and hysterica! Never a dull moment. Just love that about you/your show!

I love everything about this channel. I have an eating disorder, and watching Sonny eat exotic foods while I eat my meals has really helped me. Sounds crazy, but it feels like commiserating with a friend while going through something that's a personal struggle. I strangely feel like I'm not going through it alone, and it's inspiring. I also love how HE'S always SO polite, even to people who might not understand that he is being polite. I really respect a person who does their best to show respect even if someone doesn't always understand what was meant/said. This channel has saved me in ways I can't even describe to someone who isn't going through something similar, and I'm SO grateful for your content.

This is amazing! I'm subscribing right away!

Best reviews ever .thank u for being so humble.

After watching this video i am soooo tempted to visit Turkey now just to relish these dishes 😍😋

one of my fave tings about Sonny, is his true joy when sharing a good food spot! That lamb was so good, im literally putting it on my travel list asap

Omg.. I think im in love... The meats, breads and pickles..

this all looked like some of the best food on all of your tours. literally every spot

That's a country I could definitely eat my way through ❤

I've never been more jealous before while watching one of these food tours...I want to try everything!!

your videos is like therapy but a successful session hahahah

You made me remember so many things from my past in Syria thanks

For the last couple of years wanted to go to Istanbul for their meat, you just landed it on my lap. Complete meat tour guide . Chears !

This was your best video yet. Very entertaining and informative. Sad when it ended.

1 hr of tasting in a fast no bs video. I love it!

You're doing a great job man! You need to make also an eastern Turkey version of your Turkey food tours.

Love their hospitality ♥️♥️♥️♥️.

Not only did I enjoy the views and everything else, but my laughter at 1am had probably been heard in the entire neighborhood. Thank you for the laughter therapy, you simply rock!

this is probably one of the best food tour video I've seen

The video-editor is just amazing, a perfect combination in between Sonny's jokes and the hilarious edits!

man what an amazing looking architecture and amazing food! the people seem so nice too. i wanna go there one day

I am actually obsessed with your food videos 😊

Güzel şehirmiş, bir gün bizde gezeriz inşallah...

I've always been curious about Turkish cuisine, and this video provides an exciting glimpse into the meaty delights of Istanbul.

i stayed in istanbul for 5 days in Besiktas, it was great trip and yes the food is outstanding and cheap

Interesting that this popped up. We were just in Istanbul and ate at a Nusr-Et, in the bazaar. My husband loved the meat. I did too but my favorite was the blooming onion and that baklava with the ice cream. 😍

Thank you very much for the awesome adventuw

Such a beautiful country and the food looks so delicious and the people are so nice

Istanbul isnt the capital of Turkiye but i guess people already mentioned this as this is all episodes in one.

As a romanian i love this.....

The service and showmanship is amazing.

Everything about the Turkish food in this video looks so tasty. Making me hungry.. Damn!!!!

Turkish food are the best. Turkish have the biggest kitchen in the intire world! But I'm a little reproachful about this. Because Turkish cuisine does not get the recognition it deserves. So I would like to address those people who do not know about Turkish food culture and who have prepared a list of the best cuisines in the world. Turkish cuisine is the number 1 in the world! 🇹🇷

I got to visit Turkey - the European side - and loved it. People so friendly - loved the food. Wish I saw more of it actually!

Sonny, I applaud you. You have time to do videos for both your channels. I never thought I say this but you my favorite food host beside Andrew Zimmern. Keep up the awesome videos.

I'm headed to Turkey in 3 days. Glad I found this video 😊

oh man every dish looked so delicious wow Turkish food is unbelievably awesome 🏆🏆🏆

awwwwww yum. I'm coming over for a holiday

After this video I'm seriously considering a trip to Istanbul

When u said “I don’t even like eggplant but that’s awesome” I felt that. My mom makes that meze taste so good.

Everything looks so clean and fresh. I would definitely go visit Turkey, but definitely not Egypt or India.

Im pinking my tears away watching this while eating my frozen pizza 🥲

The food looks to amazing and the people looked really friendly, i'd love to go.

This is like a movie length version...How very cool...Thank you I'm convinced I need to visit...

Excellent presentation & so funny, thanks man!