Every nation has its unique traditions. Here are some of Turkey's most recognized and common symbols, tastes, instruments and games
Simitçi! Simitçi!
A ringlet of dough baked in an oven is one of Turkey's most traditional foods. Covered in sesame seeds, the immediately recognizable simit is a delicious, inexpensive feast.
You can find simit at every hour of the day in bakeries, or stacked in the glass-paned wagons of simit vendors perched on every street corner. You might even hear merchants walking along the city's bustling streets, shouting “Simit!”
Over the past few years, chain simit bakeries have spread around the city, offering simit in different varieties such as sausage, olive, and cheese.
The crown of Turkish sweets: Baklava
Baklava is an indispensable part of every meal and holiday and the first gift people take home. It is not surprising that preparing it requires skill: First, the perfectly kneaded dough. Then, intricate layers of pastry are created with the help of a rolling pin and are carefully arranged one by one on top of each other. 
In between these layers, walnuts – and according to one's preference ingredients such as Antep pistachios or hazelnuts – are placed. Then the tray of Baklava is placed in an oven and left to cook until it attains a golden brown color. It is then drowned in syrup and is ready to be served. Güllüoğlu is a famous shop selling tasty baklava.
Washing down a good meal with Turkish coffee
Merchants first brought the coffee plant to the Arabian Peninsula in the 10th
century. It was first used as a beverage in the city of Mocha, Yemen. The Turks were the first people that prepared coffee by roasting it and Turkish coffee is made by grinding high quality Arabic beans. Over hundreds of years, Turkish coffee achieved its traditional character both in preparation and as a sign of respect when offered to visitors.
Turkish coffee is brewed in a special coffee pot known as “cezve,” and should be prepared carefully on a low flame. Once the brewing process is complete, it should be poured into small cups in equal amounts. Don't forget to drink Turkish coffee after a good meal!
Drinking tea in tulip shaped glasses
Tea was first prepared with boiled water and tea leaves during the 1500s in China, and began to be widely consumed in Europe from the 17th century onward. In Turkey tea production first began in the early 1900s. It quickly became the essential breakfast drink for the Turkish people. Turkey is now one of the major tea producers in the world and tea is the second most commonly consumed beverage in the country, following water.
Turkey has its particular tea culture that developed a long time ago. It is brewed in a teapot composed of two parts, and is consumed hot in a narrow, clear glass. The samovar plays an important role in Turkish tea culture, and the most essential part is steeping the tea. The water is placed in the bottom pot and tea is added to the top section. It is then left to brew and to steep on a low flame. You can find tea shops in every neighborhood.
Colorful beads
Beads are made from various materials such as ebony, serpent tree, agalloch wood, coconut wood, ivory, rhinoceros's horn, camel's tooth, mother of pearl, coral, meerschaum, amber and turquoise. They are 
also made with precious metals such as gold and silver. Ninety-nine beads are generally used while worshipping, 33 are used in daily life as a habitual activity.
The beads are common not only in Islam, but have been used widely in ancient Far Eastern religions like Buddhism and Hinduism. As most of the beads are made of natural stones, they are believed to be a cure for the human body. If you feel like browsing through many stones then head to the Grand Bazaar.
Throwing the dice in backgammon 
The roots of backgammon date back to ancient Egypt, but it was known to be invented by the Iranian Shah Nevsiyan's vizier Büzur Mehir some 1,400 years ago. Whereas the Welsh call it “small war,” the Spanish call it “the table of the facts.” In backgammon the six opposite triangles represent 12 months, and 15 white and15 black checkers represent 15 days and 15 nights in a month. Despite it being placed in the IQ game category, the dice involved make luck as important a factor. If you want to play backgammon you can go to Istanbul's Tophane neighborhood.
Keeping misfortune away with the ‘evil eye' bead
Nazar boncuğu (evil eye) is a round blue bead in the shape of an eye made from blue glass. Nazar means “evil eye” in Turkish. It is a common superstition that some people – especially 
with blue eyes – have unknown extraordinary nazar powers, able to create misfortune in another person just by looking at them, whereupon the phrase “the evil eye befalls you” is used. In order to protect newborn babies from misfortune, parents hang a blue bead round their necks. It is also used in the car and in the home, to prevent bad incidents from occurring. Evil eyes are sold in every jewelry shop and in the Grand Bazaar.
Darbuka, tef, zurna are the best rhythm instruments for dance
Kettledrum (darbuka) is one of the most popular hand-played instruments. In Arabic, it is called “dümbelek.” It comes in different sizes and can be played alone and also while accompanying other instruments. The body is made from soil and metal and is covered by processed goat or calf leather. In weddings and traditional celebrations it is played as a rhythm instrument.
The tef (tambourine) is a hand held percussion instrument. It has sets of metal disks fitted around the rim of various sizes, coated with leather on one side.
The zurna (shrill pipe) is the most commonly used wind instrument generally played with drums. The ancient Turks are also known to have played the shrill pipe. It is usually made of plum, cherry and wild apricot wood. There are seven holes on a shrill pipe. These instruments can be purchased from Beyoğlu's music street.
Oriental dancing
Oriental dancing is a traditional dancing style of Indian and Arabic origins that has a 9/8 rhythm measure. The oriental dancer is called “danseuse” or “belly dancer.” The original clothing of these dancers is ornamented with embroidery and various jewels, which add more vivacity to the dance. The oriental dance is one of the most important parts of the entertainment culture. There are also male belly dancers called “zenne” in Turkish. One can find different styles of belly dancing costumes at the Grand Bazaar.
Traditional Turkish delight, Lokum
Turkish delight is known around the world. It holds a significant place in Turkish customs since the 15th century. Turkish delight is offered to visitors 
saying, “Let's eat sweet and talk sweetly.” It is made from starch and syrup, and comes in various flavors such as hazelnut, pistachio, walnut, clotted cream, rose, fruit, and mastic. When it was first manufactured, it was made of honey and grape molasses, yet with the introduction of sugar in the middle of the 18th century, it started to be made from refined sugar. One of the most famous shops to buy Turkish delight is Hacı Bekir in Beyoğlu.
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