The History of Kumpir: From Turkish Streets to Your Plate

Kumpir is Turkey’s take on the ultimate loaded baked potato.
A giant, fluffy spud is roasted until its skin turns crisp, split open, whipped with butter and melting kaşar cheese, then piled high with tangy, crunchy, and creamy toppings.

What began as humble comfort food has evolved into a street-food star. You’ll spot Kumpir on seaside promenades and busy squares across Turkey—and increasingly in European markets and food stalls worldwide.

What Is Kumpir?

At its core, Kumpir starts with a large starchy potato. Vendors bake it in special ovens, then mash the potato flesh right inside the skin with generous butter and shredded kaşar (a mild, stretchy Turkish cheese).

The base is creamy and savory, ready to carry a spectrum of toppings: pickles, sweetcorn, olives, Russian salad, sucuk (spicy sausage), sautéed mushrooms, jalapeños, and sauces ranging from ketchup to garlicky mayo.

From Ortaköy to Everywhere

Loaded potatoes exist in many cuisines, but Istanbul made Kumpir iconic.
From Ortaköy, the trend spread across Turkey in the 1990s and 2000s. Through Turkish diaspora communities, it later reached Europe and beyond, becoming a recognizable part of global street-food culture.

How It’s Made (Step by Step)

• Bake: Choose large baking potatoes. Scrub, dry, and roast at 200 °C / 390 °F for 60–75 minutes until the skin is crisp and the inside soft.
• Whip: Slice lengthwise. Add 1–2 tbsp butter and a handful of shredded kaşar (or mozzarella + mild cheddar). Mash until silky inside the skin.
• Load: Layer toppings—start with crunchy/sour (pickles, corn), then proteins (beans, tuna, sucuk), then creamy salads or sauces.
• Finish: Season with salt, pepper, chili flakes, and drizzle with ketchup, mayo, yogurt-garlic, or spicy sauce.

Popular Toppings

• Pickled red cabbage, gherkins, green olives
• Sweetcorn, peas, jalapeños
• Russian salad (olivye-style), coleslaw, or beet salad
• Sucuk or pastırma (air-dried beef)
• Tuna, white beans, or chickpeas
• Melted cheese, yogurt-garlic sauce, chili oil

Regional Twists

• Balkans: Ajvar, kajmak, grilled peppers
• Middle East: Tahini, sumac onions, spicy schug
• Western Europe: Bacon bits, cheddar, baked beans
• Health-leaning: Roasted veg, feta, herby yogurt, pomegranate

Why It Endures

Kumpir delivers comfort and customization in one handheld package.
It’s familiar yet flexible, fast yet freshly assembled.

Whether you keep it classic with butter, cheese, pickles, and corn—or go maximalist with a dozen toppings—Kumpir is about balance: creamy, crunchy, tangy, and hot in every bite.

Photos: In-house images.