The letter H introduces a flavorful collection of Turkish foods, featuring seafood specialties, royal Ottoman dishes, creamy meze, and traditional desserts. From the famous Hünkar Beğendi and savory Hamsi Pilavı to refreshing Haydari and sweet Höşmerim, these dishes showcase the rich history and regional diversity that make Turkish cuisine one of the world’s most celebrated.
Alongside favorites like baklava, döner kebab, pide, and mantı, the foods beginning with H offer another exciting opportunity to explore authentic Turkish food culture.
This guide explores Turkish foods that start with H, introducing traditional recipes, regional specialties, and classic dishes enjoyed throughout Türkiye.
H Highlights Turkey’s Historic Culinary Heritage
At first glance, the letter H may seem to include only a few Turkish food names, but it actually features several dishes with deep cultural and historical significance.
One of the best-known examples is Hünkar Beğendi, an elegant Ottoman dish whose name means “The Sultan Liked It.” It features tender braised lamb served over a creamy roasted eggplant purée enriched with butter, milk, and cheese. Today, it remains one of Türkiye’s most celebrated traditional dishes.
Another favorite is Hamsi Pilavı, a Black Sea specialty made by wrapping seasoned rice with fresh anchovies before baking until golden. This regional dish perfectly showcases the importance of seafood in northern Türkiye.
Meze lovers may already know Haydari, a thick yogurt appetizer prepared with strained yogurt, garlic, dill, mint, and olive oil. It is commonly served alongside grilled meats and other meze dishes.
You’ll also encounter Höşmerim, a traditional Turkish dessert made with fresh cheese, semolina, butter, and sugar. Originating from western Türkiye, it is known for its rich, creamy texture and delicate sweetness.
These foods show that the letter H offers an excellent introduction to authentic Turkish cuisine.
Benefits of Learning Turkish Foods Beginning With H
- Complete your Turkish food vocabulary from A to Z.
- Discover authentic regional Turkish specialties.
- Learn about traditional Turkish cooking methods.
- Explore famous seafood dishes, meze, desserts, and Ottoman recipes.
- Recognize iconic foods served across Türkiye.
- Improve confidence when reading Turkish restaurant menus.
- Strengthen memory through alphabetical learning.
- Prepare for travel by identifying local specialties.
- Support classroom and worksheet activities.
- Learn about Türkiye’s rich culinary heritage.
- Find inspiration for cooking authentic Turkish recipes at home.
- Experience both sweet and savory Turkish foods.
- Develop a deeper appreciation for Turkish cuisine.
Turkish Foods That Start With H
The list below features Turkish foods beginning with the letter H, including seafood dishes, meze, desserts, and regional specialties enjoyed throughout Türkiye.
The letter H represents an impressive variety of Turkish flavors and cooking traditions. You’ll find anchovies, lamb, yogurt, eggplant, fresh cheese, butter, herbs, and carefully balanced seasonings appearing throughout the collection.
Many of these foods have been enjoyed for centuries and remain closely connected to the regions where they originated. Their enduring popularity reflects the hospitality, history, and culinary excellence that continue to define Turkish cuisine.
Fried Anchovies
Hamsi Tava
Syllable: Ham-si Ta-va
Pronunciation: Hamsi Tava
- I like fried anchovies. – Hamsi Tava severim.
- Hamsi Tava is made by coating fresh anchovies lightly in flour and frying them until crisp. – Hamsi Tava, taze hamsilerin hafifçe una bulanıp çıtır olana kadar kızartılmasıyla hazırlanır.
- Hamsi Tava is a popular seafood dish from the Black Sea region of Turkey.
Anchovy Rice Pilaf
Hamsili Pilav
Syllable: Ham-si-li Pi-lav
Pronunciation: Hamsili Pilav
- I like anchovy rice pilaf. – Hamsili Pilav severim.
- Hamsili Pilav is made by surrounding seasoned rice with anchovies and baking it until flavorful. – Hamsili Pilav, baharatlı pilavın hamsilerle çevrelenip lezzetli olana kadar pişirilmesiyle hazırlanır.
- Hamsili Pilav is a traditional specialty of Turkey\’s Black Sea cuisine.
Sultan\’s Delight
Hünkar Beğendi
Syllable: Hün-kar Be-ğen-di
Pronunciation: Hunkar Begendi
- I like Sultan\’s Delight. – Hünkar Beğendi severim.
- Hünkar Beğendi is made with tender meat served over a creamy roasted eggplant purée. – Hünkar Beğendi, yumuşak etin kremalı közlenmiş patlıcan püresi üzerinde servis edilmesiyle hazırlanır.
- Hünkar Beğendi is a famous and elegant dish from Ottoman cuisine.
Yogurt and Herb Dip
Haydari
Syllable: Hay-da-ri
Pronunciation: Haydari
- I like yogurt and herb dip. – Haydari severim.
- Haydari is made with thick yogurt, herbs, garlic, and seasonings. – Haydari, süzme yoğurt, otlar, sarımsak ve baharatlarla hazırlanır.
- Haydari is a creamy and refreshing Turkish meze.
Hummus
Humus
Syllable: Hu-mus
Pronunciation: Humus
- I like hummus. – Humus severim.
- Humus is made by blending chickpeas with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. – Humus, nohutun tahin, limon suyu, sarımsak ve zeytinyağıyla karıştırılmasıyla hazırlanır.
- Humus is a creamy and popular meze served with bread.
Hasan Pasha Meatballs
Hasanpaşa Köftesi
Syllable: Ha-san-pa-şa Köf-te-si
Pronunciation: Hasanpasa Koftesi
- I like Hasan Pasha meatballs. – Hasanpaşa Köftesi severim.
- Hasanpaşa Köftesi is made with meatballs topped with mashed potatoes and baked with sauce. – Hasanpaşa Köftesi, köftelerin üzerine patates püresi konulup sosla fırınlanmasıyla hazırlanır.
- Hasanpaşa Köftesi is a hearty and attractive Turkish main dish.
Cheese and Semolina Dessert
Höşmerim
Syllable: Höş-me-rim
Pronunciation: Hosmerim
- I like cheese and semolina dessert. – Höşmerim severim.
- Höşmerim is a traditional dessert made with fresh cheese, semolina, sugar, and butter. – Höşmerim, taze peynir, irmik, şeker ve tereyağıyla hazırlanan geleneksel bir tatlıdır.
- Höşmerim is especially associated with the Balıkesir region of Turkey.
Halva
Helva
Syllable: Hel-va
Pronunciation: Helva
- I like halva. – Helva severim.
- Helva is a sweet dessert commonly made with ingredients such as tahini, semolina, flour, or nuts. – Helva, genellikle tahin, irmik, un veya kuruyemiş gibi malzemelerle hazırlanan tatlı bir yiyecektir.
- Helva has an important place in Turkish culinary traditions.
Hatay Kebab
Hatay Kebabı
Syllable: Ha-tay Ke-ba-bı
Pronunciation: Hatay Kebabi
- I like Hatay Kebab. – Hatay Kebabı severim.
- Hatay Kebabı is prepared with seasoned minced meat and regional spices. – Hatay Kebabı, baharatlı kıyma ve yöresel baharatlarla hazırlanır.
- Hatay Kebabı reflects the rich culinary traditions of Hatay.
Hatay-Style Tray Kebab
Hatay Usulü Tepsi Kebabı
Syllable: Ha-tay U-su-lü Tep-si Ke-ba-bı
Pronunciation: Hatay Usulu Tepsi Kebabi
- I like Hatay-style tray kebab. – Hatay Usulü Tepsi Kebabı severim.
- Hatay Usulü Tepsi Kebabı is made by spreading seasoned minced meat in a tray and baking it with vegetables. – Hatay Usulü Tepsi Kebabı, baharatlı kıymanın tepsiye yayılıp sebzelerle birlikte fırınlanmasıyla hazırlanır.
- Hatay Usulü Tepsi Kebabı is a famous specialty of Hatay cuisine.
Carrot Tarator
Havuç Tarator
Syllable: Ha-vuç Ta-ra-tor
Pronunciation: Havuc Tarator
- I like carrot tarator. – Havuç Tarator severim.
- Havuç Tarator is made with cooked or grated carrots mixed with yogurt and garlic. – Havuç Tarator, pişirilmiş veya rendelenmiş havuçların yoğurt ve sarımsakla karıştırılmasıyla hazırlanır.
- Havuç Tarator is a creamy and refreshing Turkish meze.
Carrot Soup
Havuç Çorbası
Syllable: Ha-vuç Çor-ba-sı
Pronunciation: Havuc Corbasi
- I like carrot soup. – Havuç Çorbası severim.
- Havuç Çorbası is made by cooking carrots with broth and seasonings until soft and smooth. – Havuç Çorbası, havuçların et suyu ve baharatlarla yumuşayıp pürüzsüz olana kadar pişirilmesiyle hazırlanır.
- Havuç Çorbası is a warm and nutritious soup.
Carrot Salad
Havuç Salatası
Syllable: Ha-vuç Sa-la-ta-sı
Pronunciation: Havuc Salatasi
- I like carrot salad. – Havuç Salatası severim.
- Havuç Salatası is made with grated carrots and may include yogurt, garlic, lemon, or olive oil. – Havuç Salatası, rendelenmiş havuçla hazırlanır ve yoğurt, sarımsak, limon veya zeytinyağı içerebilir.
- Havuç Salatası is a fresh and colorful side dish.
Boiled Meat and Vegetables
Haşlama
Syllable: Haş-la-ma
Pronunciation: Haslama
- I like boiled meat and vegetables. – Haşlama severim.
- Haşlama is prepared by slowly boiling meat with potatoes, carrots, onions, and other vegetables. – Haşlama, etin patates, havuç, soğan ve diğer sebzelerle yavaşça kaynatılmasıyla hazırlanır.
- Haşlama is a simple, nourishing, and comforting Turkish dish.
Poppy Seed Revani
Haşhaşlı Revani
Syllable: Haş-haş-lı Re-va-ni
Pronunciation: Hashasli Revani
- I like poppy seed revani. – Haşhaşlı Revani severim.
- Haşhaşlı Revani is a syrup-soaked semolina cake made with poppy seeds. – Haşhaşlı Revani, haşhaş tohumu ile hazırlanan ve şerbetle ıslatılan irmikli bir kektir.
- Haşhaşlı Revani is a sweet and moist Turkish dessert.
Date Dessert
Hurma Tatlısı
Syllable: Hur-ma Tat-lı-sı
Pronunciation: Hurma Tatlisi
- I like date dessert. – Hurma Tatlısı severim.
- Hurma Tatlısı is a sweet dessert prepared with dates or in a date-shaped form, depending on the regional recipe. – Hurma Tatlısı, yöresel tarife göre hurmayla veya hurma şeklinde hazırlanabilen tatlı bir yiyecektir.
- Hurma Tatlısı is enjoyed as a rich and sweet treat.
Hejaz Rice Pilaf
Hicaz Pilavı
Syllable: Hi-caz Pi-la-vı
Pronunciation: Hicaz Pilavi
- I like Hejaz rice pilaf. – Hicaz Pilavı severim.
- Hicaz Pilavı is an aromatic rice dish prepared with flavorful spices and other ingredients. – Hicaz Pilavı, aromatik baharatlar ve çeşitli malzemelerle hazırlanan lezzetli bir pilavdır.
- Hicaz Pilavı is a rich and fragrant rice dish.
Tahini and Lemon Dip
Hibeş
Syllable: Hi-beş
Pronunciation: Hibes
- I like tahini and lemon dip. – Hibeş severim.
- Hibeş is made by mixing tahini with lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and spices. – Hibeş, tahinin limon suyu, sarımsak, kimyon ve baharatlarla karıştırılmasıyla hazırlanır.
- Hibeş is a flavorful meze especially associated with Antalya cuisine.
Stuffed Turkey
Hindi Dolması
Syllable: Hin-di Dol-ma-sı
Pronunciation: Hindi Dolmasi
- I like stuffed turkey. – Hindi Dolması severim.
- Hindi Dolması is prepared by filling a whole turkey with seasoned rice or other stuffing and roasting it. – Hindi Dolması, bütün hindinin baharatlı pilav veya başka bir iç harçla doldurulup fırında pişirilmesiyle hazırlanır.
- Hindi Dolması is often served for special occasions and celebrations.
Sautéed Turkey
Hindi Sote
Syllable: Hin-di So-te
Pronunciation: Hindi Sote
- I like sautéed turkey. – Hindi Sote severim.
- Hindi Sote is made by sautéing pieces of turkey with vegetables and seasonings. – Hindi Sote, hindi parçalarının sebzeler ve baharatlarla sotelenmesiyle hazırlanır.
- Hindi Sote is a flavorful and satisfying main dish.
Turkish Cuisine Preserves Ottoman and Regional Traditions
One of the defining strengths of Turkish cuisine is its ability to preserve both royal Ottoman recipes and regional specialties that have been passed down through generations.
Hünkar Beğendi reflects the elegance of Ottoman palace cuisine, while Hamsi Pilavı celebrates the seafood traditions of the Black Sea region. Haydari remains one of Türkiye’s most popular meze dishes, and Höşmerim showcases the country’s rich dessert heritage.
Together, these dishes demonstrate how Turkish cuisine combines history, regional identity, and exceptional craftsmanship into unforgettable meals.
Practice Activities
- Learn five Turkish foods beginning with H.
- Practice pronouncing each food name aloud.
- Create flashcards with food pictures.
- Match dishes with their main ingredients.
- Read authentic Turkish recipes.
- Watch Turkish cooking videos featuring traditional specialties.
- Organize foods into seafood dishes, meze, desserts, and meat dishes.
- Research the history of Hünkar Beğendi and Hamsi Pilavı.
- Visit a Turkish restaurant and identify foods beginning with H.
- Keep a notebook of Turkish culinary terms.
- Try making Haydari or Höşmerim at home.
- Review your favorite foods from every alphabet letter.
- Share your discoveries with family or friends.
- Test your knowledge using the worksheet.
Continue Your Turkish Food Alphabet Journey!
The letter H introduces another unforgettable collection of authentic Turkish foods. From royal Hünkar Beğendi and delicious Hamsi Pilavı to creamy Haydari and sweet Höşmerim, these dishes celebrate the history, regional diversity, and culinary excellence that make Turkish cuisine one of the world’s most admired food cultures.
Now we’d love to hear from you! Which Turkish food beginning with H caught your attention the most, or is there another authentic H dish we should include? Share your recommendation in the comments, tell us your favorite Turkish specialty, and pass this worksheet along to anyone who enjoys discovering new foods from around the world.
