yemek

Yemek is a Turkish word with dual use as a noun and a verb. As a noun, it means "food" or "a meal" and is used to refer to edible sustenance or to a specific mealtime. As a verb, yemek means "to eat" and appears in everyday speech in various conjugated forms. The term is widely used across Turkish-speaking communities to describe meals, cuisine, and eating practices.

In Turkish cuisine, meals are often communal and reflective of hospitality. Traditional elements include soups (çorba), main dishes (ana yemek), meze (small dishes), salads, and desserts (tatlı). Core ingredients are grains such as bulgur and rice, legumes, vegetables, yogurt, olive oil, and meat, especially lamb and beef. Flavors are developed with herbs and spices such as paprika, red pepper, mint, dill, and parsley. Ev yemeği, or home-cooked meals, remains a central concept, distinguishing everyday cooking from street food or restaurant offerings.

Socially, food marks celebrations, family gatherings, and religious observances. The sofra, a shared table, embodies Turkish hospitality. In modern Turkey, traditional meals coexist with international cuisines, and urban dining increasingly integrates ready-made meals and delivery services while maintaining regional specialties and seasonal dishes. The term Yemek is also used in compound names and brands related to food distribution and dining, reflecting its broad association with nourishment and eating culture.