Simit (Turkish: simit, Arabic: سميط, romanized: samītˤ, Persian: سیمیت, romanized: sīmītˤ, Bulgarian: симит /simit/), gevrek (Turkish: gevrek, Bulgarian: геврек, Macedonian: ѓеврек, Serbian: ђеврек), bokegh (Armenian: բոկեղ), or koulouri (Greek: κουλούρι) is a circular bread, typically encrusted with sesame seeds or, less commonly, poppy, flax or sunflower seeds, found across the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire, and the Middle East. Simit’s size, crunch, chewiness, and other characteristics vary slightly by region. It is widely known as Turkish bagel in United States.
In İzmir, simit is known as gevrek (“crisp”), although it is very similar to the Istanbul variety. Simit in Ankara are smaller and crisper than those of other cities. Simit in Istanbul are made with molasses.
There are also stuffed simits with cheese, meat and vegetables.
