Simit is a Turkish sesame-coated bread ring commonly sold by street vendors.
The dough is shaped into a ring, dipped in a mixture that helps sesame seeds adhere, and baked until golden. Simit has a crisp, sesame-covered exterior and a chewy interior. Its size and texture can vary between regions and bakeries.
Simit is especially associated with Istanbul, where vendors traditionally carry or display rings of simit for commuters and pedestrians. It is eaten at breakfast, as a snack, or with tea and other foods.
Simit is sometimes compared with a bagel because both are ring-shaped breads. However, their recipes and preparation differ. Bagels are typically boiled before baking, while simit is characterized by its sesame coating and traditional Turkish street-food culture.