Börek: the savoury Turkish pastry explained

Börek is a savoury Turkish dish of thin layers of dough (yufka) with a filling, baked or rolled into a crispy, golden bite. The best-known fillings are cheese (peynirli), spinach (ıspanaklı) and spiced minced meat (kıymalı).

What types of börek are there?

Su böreği: soft, layered boiled-and-baked börek, almost like lasagne. Sigara böreği: thin, cigar-shaped rolls, often with cheese. Ispanaklı börek: with spinach. Every region in Turkey has its own variant.

When do you eat börek?

Börek is part of the Turkish breakfast, but it's just as good as a snack, lunch or side dish. With a glass of tea, it's a classic.

Vegetarian and savoury

Many börek variants are vegetarian (cheese, spinach). Love vegetables and savoury food? Check out our vegetarian dishes or the full menu: fresh, 100% halal Turkish meals, chilled-fresh and never frozen, ready in 5 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about börek

Is börek vegetarian?
The cheese and spinach variants are; kıymalı börek contains minced meat.

Is börek halal?
For meat fillings, the origin is decisive. At Yasemin, all meat is 100% halal.

Last updated: June 2026.