Midye dolma, one of the most famous dishes in Turkey

Midye dolma “stuffed mussels” is one of the most famous dishes in Turkey, as it dates back to the era of Sultan Muhammad Al-Fateh. The dish was nicknamed “marine insects” due to its frequent consumption. It was introduced to Turkish cuisine through Armenian cuisine. Today, it is one of the most popular Turkish dishes widely sold in kiosks, especially in coastal cities such as Istanbul, Izmir and Mardin.

The process of cooking it begins with collecting mussels from rocky places, abound with algae, in seas. The mussels are then cleaned well of accumulated sand and pebbles. After cleaning, the mussels are stuffed with rice, boiled and then eaten. This dish is is sold in kiosks as a snack or appetizer, at affordable prices across all regions in Turkey.