From Topkapı to Your Table: Ottoman Royal Cuisine👑

The sultans of the Ottoman Empire, who succeeded in making their name known to the world, are not only fascinating for their war policies but also for their eating habits. Let’s take a look at the Palace Kitchen together! Make sure you’re not too hungry!😊 Or just get a ticket! Straight to Istanbul!✈️

In the much-discussed Ottoman palace cuisine, rice was consumed in large quantities, while honey-molasses and white leavened bread were also frequently preferred.

What dishes did the sultans consume at tables where sherbet and fruit compote were served as drinks?

FATIH SULTAN MEHMET’S FAVORITE DISH

Known for his love of seafood, Fatih Sultan Mehmet enjoyed oysters, shrimp, dried fish, and eel. He especially often included thyme-seasoned eel on his tables. Besides these, it is also known that he frequently consumed various dishes such as bulgur pilaf with chestnuts, melon zerde (sweet saffron dessert), caviar, sour soup made with diced meat, and tandoor kebab.

SULTAN ABDULHAMID II’S FAVORITE DISH

Sultan Abdulhamid generally preferred simple meals. His favorite dish was eggs with lots of onions.

This dish, which takes about 3 hours to prepare, has a secret: lots of onions and lots of seasoning. It takes so long because it simmers slowly for 3 hours. Of course, the taste is amazing! If you want, you can try it at home, but cook it for up to 1 hour! Who has time for 3 hours?🙂

Once the onions are fully caramelized and you add the eggs on top, there you have a sultan’s meal!

If you like spicy flavors, sprinkle some red pepper flakes or black pepper on top! Wonderful!

SULTAN ABDULAZIZ’S FAVORITE DISH

Empress Eugenie had a dish prepared for Abdulaziz during her visit. She asked the chef to cook it with roasted eggplant and béchamel sauce and top it with meat. Abdulaziz liked the dish so much that it became known as “Hunkar Begendi” (The Sultan’s Delight).

KANUNI SULTAN SULEYMAN’S FAVORITE DISH

Kanuni Sultan Suleyman, who ruled the Ottoman lands for a long time, was very fond of fish. One of Sultan Suleyman’s favorite dishes was anchovies. So much so that even the swords at Topkapı Palace feature anchovy motifs.

We’ve shared a glimpse of the food preferences of a few famous Ottoman sultans. We took a little trip to Topkapı and came back!👑

We always wish you delicious and memorable journeys!
Remember, one of life’s treasures is traveling.😊

We end our post by gifting you a song.🎶