Sesame-Free Savoring: Your Guide to Safe Turkish Dining

Turkish cuisine delights with its rich flavors, but sesame—ubiquitous in tahini, breads, and desserts—poses serious risks for allergy sufferers. Navigating menus can feel overwhelming, especially with language barriers. Here’s how the MM Food app turns anxiety into confidence.

Why Sesame Is a Hidden Hazard in Turkish Cuisine

Sesame appears in unexpected places beyond obvious suspects like simit (sesame-crusted bread) or tahini-based dips. It hides in:

• Spice blends for kebabs and köfte
• Desserts like baklava and halva
• Garnishes on salads and pide (Turkish pizza)
• Sauces and marinades

Cross-contamination risks are high in busy kitchens where sesame seeds scatter freely.

How MM Food App Safeguards Your Meal

1. Instant Menu Translation: Scan or upload any Turkish menu. Our AI translates dishes into your native language instantly, eliminating guesswork.
2. Smart Allergy Filter: Select "sesame allergy" from dietary preferences. The app flags high-risk dishes (e.g., anything containing tahini, susam, or çörek otu) and suggests safer alternatives like:
   • Şiş kebabs (verify marinades)
   • Mercimek çorbası (lentil soup)
   • Grilled seafood or meats (request plain preparation)
   • Fresh ayran (yogurt drink)
3. Custom Alerts: Add specific concerns like "sesame oil" or "bread contact" to refine suggestions.

Pro Tips for Istanbul to Izmir

• Learn key phrases: "Susam alerjim var. Yemeğimde susam olmasın, lütfen" (I have a sesame allergy. Please no sesame in my food).
• Avoid street simit sellers and pre-packated baklava where cross-contact is likely.
• Prioritize grilled dishes, but confirm sauces are sesame-free—tahini mimics creamy textures in many dips.

With MM Food, savor lahmacun (meat-topped flatbread) safely by verifying spice blends, or enjoy a worry-free bowl of cacık (cucumber-yogurt dip). Turn dining fears into flavorful adventures!