Typically associated with Çeşme, kumru is a toasted sandwich prepared with an artisanal bread that is typically enriched with chickpea flour. It was originally prepared with sinik, a circular bread that was sold by street vendors, but it achieved its current form in the 1950s when sandwiches became a popular option in Türkiye.
Nowadays, it is typically filled with kaşar cheese (which is typically griddled before it’s placed on the bread), spicy sausage known as sujuk, and tomatoes, while modern variations may also include pickles, red pepper flakes, other types of cured meat, or even mayonnaise or ketchup, though the latter two are often frowned upon.
This recipe shows how to prepare a traditional kumru sandwich that melds the spicy touch of sujuk with the rich taste of kaşar cheese, balanced beautifully with the freshness of tomatoes. Including beef salami and green peppers further elevates its flavor profile. What truly sets the kumru apart, however, is its distinctive bread, generously sprinkled with sesame seeds, offering a crunch that complements its juicy fillings.