Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Fine bulgur kneaded for an hour with isot, pepper paste and spice until it turns dark and sticky, then served cold in lettuce or rolled into a wrap. Now made without meat by law.
Çiğ köfte was originally raw lamb worked into bulgur, and the kneading, which can take an hour, is what breaks the grain down. Turkish food regulations ended the commercial raw-meat version, so every çiğ köfte sold across a counter in Gaziantep today is meat-free, built on bulgur, isot, pepper and tomato paste alone. That has made it one of the few genuinely vegan street foods in a city built on lamb. The bulgur is squeezed in the fist so each piece keeps the finger marks, and it is eaten cold with lemon, lettuce and pomegranate molasses.
2 editor picks for Çiğ köfte in Gaziantep, ranked by editorial score. All Gaziantep signature dishes · Çiğ köfte across every city.
Çulcuoğlu Et Lokantası sits at the exit of the coppersmiths' bazaar in Gaziantep, opposite the Suriye Pasajı, and the family has run it since the 1920s.
OrderPatlıcan kebabı with firik pilav, the smoked green-wheat rice.
TipThere is often no printed menu. Ask what the grill has and let the waiter build the order for you.
Çiğ Köfteci Yuşa Usta kneads bulgur, isot and spice into meat-free çiğ köfte in Değirmiçem, wrapped into Gaziantep wraps twice the usual size.
OrderÇiğ köfte dürüm
TipThe bulgur is kneaded without meat, so the wrap is plant-based before anything is added to it.
Çiğ köfte makes more sense with someone from Gaziantep explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Private tour · 5 hours
Discover Gaziantep’s history, art, and cuisine on a guided tour. Visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, taste local street food, and explore the city’s vibrant streets.
3 hours
Join a local family in Gaziantep for a traditional Antep cooking class. Learn how to prepare classic dishes, enjoy a warm welcome, and savor the flavors of Gaziantep.
Guided tour · 2 hours
Explore Gaziantep’s culinary delights and cultural heritage on a guided walking tour. Sample iconic dishes, visit traditional markets, and learn about the city’s rich history.
