Most Turkish households eat sit-down meals. People often enjoy dining together and the more, the merrier.
At meals, many dishes are typically included: nuts like almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts are often enjoyed alongside roasted chickpeas and pistachios as well as vegetables such as okra cauliflower and kale as side dishes; typically soup serves as the main course.
Inviting guests
Turkish culture holds the tradition of greeting each other with “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,” or in Arabic: , which serves as a spiritual preamble to meals and emphasizes their nourishment for both body and soul. Furthermore, this phrase creates a sense of unity among family members and guests alike and makes dining experiences all the richer for such gestures.
Turks usually invite guests to their dining tables, where they may sit on a carpet around a low table with cushions. Turks do not snack throughout the day or eat on-the-go; instead, they typically prefer three sit-down meals per day: breakfast of bread with feta cheese and black olives served alongside tea; midday lunch; and finally, dinner around eight o’clock.
Once everyone is seated, usually the host or eldest guest begins eating first. Doing so demonstrates respect for those present; another important part of Turkish dining etiquette involves waiting until all guests have finished their meals before commencing with your own. Using appropriate cutlery for every dish can further add an authentic Ottoman atmosphere. Runners, cushions, and napkins adorned with intricate hand-embroidered designs add another unique Ottoman touch to your table setting.
Saying “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim”
Meal invitations in Turkish culture are considered an act of hospitality and strengthen connections among individuals while showing generosity and showing kindness. Three sit-down meals should be consumed each day: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
As soon as guests arrive at the dinner table, they are greeted with a handshake and smile by their host and are then individually addressed by name – this ensures everyone feels like part of a family and serves as a reminder that this table belongs to all involved!
Beginning meals is also tradition. Saying, “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,” or in Arabic “Alhamdulillah,” serves to emphasize that the food on the table provides more than simply satisfying hunger – it reminds all those present that God’s blessings are abundant and that food itself is His gift to humanity.
While it can be tempting to start eating as soon as you enter a Turkish home, try your best to wait until your host or oldest man indicate it is time. In Turkey’s culture of respecting elders, placing him or her at the head of the table embodies this practice while encouraging younger generations to listen to his or her wisdom.
Finishing the offered food
Turkish culture values hospitality. Therefore, food should always be finished before receiving another course; hence why small portions are often offered as meze before main courses such as wine or the anise-flavored national drink raki (known by some as “lion’s milk”). But remember: drinking alcohol responsibly must remain an integral part of daily life.
Dining etiquette dictates taking coffee or tea offered, even if you aren’t thirsty, as this shows your appreciation of hospitality and table manners, not to mention showing respect for those offering it to you.
Hand-eating certain dishes like fish, lahmacun and pide is an age-old tradition in Turkish culture, allowing an individual to experience their meal more directly while intensifying its flavors.
Once the dishes have been set out on the table, it is customary for either an honored guest or the oldest man at the table to begin eating first. It is important not to start until you feel ready and it may be useful to ask your host when is an appropriate time and date to start. Speaking with an open mouth is another way of maintaining healthy eating habits while showing respect to fellow diners.
Listening patiently to elders
Turkish culture frowns upon people speaking loudly or interrupting an elder when they are speaking, thus respecting and listening patiently to elders at all times, especially at meal times. Furthermore, seeking advice from them even if it seems trivial shows humility.
Tradition dictates that eating begins after the oldest person at the table has started eating, or at least after everyone has finished their drinks before beginning to consume food and drinks themselves. At the conclusion of every meal it is common to say “elinize saglik”, meaning “health to your hands”, to show appreciation and thank your hosts for all they’ve done for you.
Turkey has long held onto the tradition of eating with your hands when eating certain types of food such as fish, chicken or lahmacun – especially seafood and chicken dishes – such as fish, chicken or lahmacun. Direct contact between diner and meal enhances dining experience and intensifies flavor; chewing gum at dinner table conversations with elders should also be avoided to show respect and avoid misbehaving in social situations.
Hand washing before eating is a traditional practice in Turkey that not only promotes physical cleanliness but also acts as an act of spiritual preparation for each meal to come. By washing their hands beforehand, individuals can develop healthy eating habits by making sure food is chewed and digested appropriately.
