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Çoban salatası (coban salatasi) is Turkish shepherd salad: a finely chopped mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers dressed simply with olive oil and lemon. In Fountain Valley, Istanbul Grill California serves it as the Shepherd Salad ($11.99), made with Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, sumac, oregano and parsley.
If you have seen “çoban salatası” on a Turkish menu, or searched for it after a trip to Istanbul, this guide explains what it is, how it differs from a Greek salad, what to eat with it and where to find it in Orange County.
Key takeaways
- Çoban salatası means “shepherd’s salad” in Turkish. It is the everyday chopped salad served next to grilled meat in Turkey.
- Istanbul Grill’s Shepherd Salad lists no cheese, olives or lettuce: just chopped vegetables, herbs, sumac, olive oil and lemon juice.
- Want it spicy? Order ezme, its finely chopped cousin with walnuts and hot peppers.
- It pairs naturally with Adana, shish and doner kebabs, lentil soup or a falafel plate.
- Find it on the Istanbul Grill dinner menu, or order online for pickup or delivery.
What is çoban salatası?
Çoban salatası is a Turkish chopped salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers, usually with flat-leaf parsley, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. “Çoban” means shepherd and “salatası” means salad, so the name translates to shepherd’s salad.
In Turkey it appears on home tables and in kebab restaurants alike. The vegetables are cut small so every bite has a bit of everything, and the tomato juices mix with the olive oil and lemon into a dressing made for scooping up with warm pita.
Turkish food writer Aylin Öney Tan describes shepherd’s salad as the centerpiece of summer tables in Turkey and notes that similar simple salads appear all the way from the Balkans to the Middle East (Hürriyet Daily News).
How do you pronounce çoban salatası?
Çoban salatası is pronounced roughly “cho-BAHN sah-lah-tah-suh.” The Turkish letter “ç” sounds like the “ch” in “chair,” and the dotless “ı” at the end sounds like the “u” in “circus.” On many American menus, including ours, you will simply see it as Shepherd Salad.
What is in the Shepherd Salad at Istanbul Grill?
The Shepherd Salad at Istanbul Grill California is made with Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, sumac, oregano and parsley, tossed with olive oil and lemon juice. It is listed at $11.99 on the dinner menu.
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and bell peppers: the juicy, crunchy base, with sweetness but no heat.
- Sumac: a tangy, deep-red spice from dried sumac berries that adds a lemony note.
- Oregano, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice: a fresh, herbal finish and the whole dressing.
There is no cheese, olive or lettuce in the menu description, which keeps the salad light enough to sit next to a plate of grilled kebabs.
How is çoban salatası different from Greek salad?
Çoban salatası and Greek salad (horiatiki) share the same garden vegetables, but the Turkish version is chopped finer and is traditionally served without feta or olives. Greek salad is usually cut into larger chunks and topped with feta cheese and Kalamata olives.
| Çoban salatası (Turkish shepherd salad) | Greek salad (horiatiki) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | Small, even dice so every spoonful mixes everything | Larger wedges and chunks |
| Cheese | Traditionally none | Usually a slab or crumbles of feta |
| Olives | Traditionally none | Usually Kalamata olives |
| Dressing | Olive oil and lemon juice; sumac is a common addition | Olive oil, often with vinegar and oregano |
| Role at the table | A fresh side for kebabs, grilled meat and stews | Often served as a starter or light meal |
Which Turkish salads and chopped mezze can you order at Istanbul Grill?
Istanbul Grill California offers four salads and chopped plates that suit different moods, from the classic Shepherd Salad to a spicy ezme. Here is how they compare, using the descriptions and prices on the live menu.
| Dish | What is in it (from the menu) | Price* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Salad | Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, sumac, oregano and parsley, tossed with olive oil and lemon juice | $11.99 | The classic side for any kebab |
| Ezme (cold appetizer) | Finely chopped tomatoes, onions, walnuts and hot peppers mixed in olive oil and herbs | $9.99 | A spicy, scoopable mezze with pita |
| Arugula Salad (Roka Salata) | Arugula with field greens, dried cranberries, apricots, walnuts and crumbled feta, dressed with olive oil and orange juice | $15.99 | A sweeter, more filling salad |
| Mixed Green Salad | Fresh assorted greens and iceberg lettuce tossed with olive oil and fresh lemon juice | $9.99 | A simple leafy side |
*Prices from the Istanbul Grill California menu as of October 28, 2026. Prices may change; see the current dinner menu.
Shepherd salad or ezme: which should you order?
Order the Shepherd Salad if you want something cool and refreshing; order ezme if you want heat. Ezme is chopped even finer, almost like a relish, with hot peppers and walnuts. It is also part of the Appetizer Sampler ($30.99), which combines hummus, babaganoush, dolmas, ezme and labne and serves 3 to 5 people. If you have a nut allergy, note that the ezme is made with walnuts, so tell your server before ordering.
What goes well with Turkish shepherd salad?
Shepherd salad goes best with charcoal-grilled kebabs, because its acidity and crunch balance rich, smoky meat. A few easy combinations from the Istanbul Grill menu:
| Pair your Shepherd Salad with | Why it works | Menu price* |
|---|---|---|
| Lamb Adana Kebab (ground lamb on a flat skewer) | Lemon and sumac cut through the richness of the lamb | $25.99 |
| Chicken Shish Kebab (marinated cubes) | A lighter grilled plate with rice pilaf and vegetables | $21.99 |
| Doner Kebab (Turkish-style gyro) | Fresh crunch against thin, savory rotisserie slices | $24.99 |
| Lentil Soup | A classic Turkish starter for a lighter meal | $8.99 |
| Falafel Plate (4 pieces) or Hummus | A fully meat-free meal | $17.99 / $8.99 |
| Ayran | The chilled, lightly salted yogurt drink Turks drink with kebabs | $3.99 |
Wondering how doner differs from the gyro or shawarma you know? Our guide to doner vs. gyro vs. shawarma explains it. For a full first-visit plan, see what to order at Istanbul Grill.
Hungry already?
Get a Shepherd Salad with your favorite kebab: order online for pickup or delivery or see directions and contact details.
Is shepherd salad vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, the Shepherd Salad is vegetarian: the menu lists only vegetables, herbs, sumac, olive oil and lemon juice, with no cheese, meat or bread. Istanbul Grill’s FAQ lists its salads among the vegetarian and vegan-friendly choices, and notes that salads can be enjoyed without bread or pita.
If you follow a strict vegan or gluten-free diet or have an allergy, tell your server before ordering so the kitchen can guide you.
Where can I get çoban salatası near me in Orange County?
You can get çoban salatası at Istanbul Grill California, 18010 Newhope St Ste D, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, at the corner of Newhope St and Talbert Ave. It is on the dinner menu as the Shepherd Salad, and you can eat in, pick it up or have it delivered.
The restaurant is a short drive from Huntington Beach, Westminster, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove and Santa Ana, an easy stop for Mediterranean food in Fountain Valley and central Orange County. For current opening hours, directions and the phone number, visit our contact and directions page or call (714) 430-1434.
Can I order shepherd salad at lunch or for catering?
The weekday lunch special ($17.99, Monday to Friday) is built around an entree plus one side; the side options listed online include Mixed Green Salad and Ezme rather than Shepherd Salad. Check the lunch menu or call to ask about adding a Shepherd Salad.
Planning a party or office lunch? The Istanbul Grill catering menu has its own Salads & Soups section alongside kebab trays, and catering trays are listed as serving 10 people each.
Frequently asked questions about çoban salatası
What does çoban salatası mean?
Çoban salatası means “shepherd’s salad” in Turkish: “çoban” is shepherd and “salatası” is salad. It is a simple chopped salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers with olive oil and lemon. At Istanbul Grill California in Fountain Valley it appears on the menu as the Shepherd Salad.
Is coban salatasi the same as Greek salad?
No. Coban salatasi and Greek salad use similar vegetables, but the Turkish version is chopped much finer and traditionally has no feta or olives. Greek salad is cut into larger pieces and usually topped with feta and Kalamata olives. Istanbul Grill’s Shepherd Salad follows the Turkish style, with sumac, oregano and parsley.
Is Turkish shepherd salad spicy?
No. The Shepherd Salad at Istanbul Grill uses bell peppers, so it is fresh and tangy rather than hot. If you want heat, order ezme, a finely chopped cold appetizer of tomatoes, onions, walnuts and hot peppers in olive oil and herbs ($9.99 as of October 2026).
How much is the Shepherd Salad at Istanbul Grill California?
The Shepherd Salad is $11.99 on the Istanbul Grill California dinner menu as of October 28, 2026. Prices can change, so check the current menu at istanbulgrillca.com/menus/ or the online ordering page before you order.
Does the Shepherd Salad come with cheese?
No. The menu description lists no cheese, in line with the traditional Turkish recipe. The menu does offer Extra Feta Cheese ($2.99) as an add-on, so ask your server if you would like feta on your salad.
Taste it fresh in Fountain Valley
A bowl of bright, lemony Shepherd Salad next to a sizzling Adana kebab and warm pita is how many Turkish meals are meant to be eaten. Browse the full Istanbul Grill menu, order online for pickup or delivery, or get directions and join us at the table.
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