Istanbul is remembered not only for its historical and natural beauties but also for its incredible street flavors. It is also known for its delicious and catchy traditional dishes dating back centuries. In addition to being a tourism center, Istanbul cannot be called a street food metropolis. When you come to Istanbul, you shouldn’t finish your holiday without trying “Kumpir”, a baked potato with hundreds of vegetables and some protein like boiled eggs and sausage. This “kumpir” can be found all over Istanbul, but the places where you can try the tastiest ones are definitely Ortakoy and Beyoglu.
Istanbul Is so Yummy
Istanbul is one of Turkey’s most beautiful cities, with the Bosphorus running as a bridge between Europe and Asia. The architectural structures inherited by history allow us to understand the cultural effects of the empires that ruled here in the past. The open-air Hippodrome inherited from the Roman era in Sultanahmet has been a frequented place to watch chariot races for centuries. and Egyptian obelisks still astound those who visit them.
Istanbul is the only city that its visitors never forget. The meeting point of East and West, where some of the most magnificent buildings in the world dazzle with their magnificence, where you can find remnants of history in every inch, is a must-visit city for those who love to travel and discover new cultures. It is also one of the most wonderful places you can find to experience new tastes and eat and drink.
There are secret food tours in Istanbul that take you to charming and less frequented areas of the city. Most people living in Istanbul are probably not aware of these secret food stations. Allowing us to introduce you to the gastronomy and culture of this beautiful medieval city is a great opportunity for us to introduce you to our food culture. On our tour, you will eat the most delicious food with the locals and get a new perspective on this wonderful city. As you enjoy traveling through time, you will experience the flavors that have made Turkey is Turkey throughout the ages.
Fish Bread
Fish sandwich, which you can buy from fishermen, who has become the symbol of Eminönü, is one of the typical street delicacies of the people of Istanbul. While walking around the Galata bridge and Eminönü harbor area, or before stopping by the big bus terminal next door, people take a short break and taste this iconic Istanbul street flavor and have a pleasant time with the view of several fishing boats with colorful and elegant decorations and Turkish flags.
In addition to the many small boaters that allow you to fill your stomach with fish sandwiches, the food carts in various small cabins are tiny feasting stations. Pickles, which you won’t find so delicious in other restaurants, are served in glasses. In addition, you can easily find grilled chestnuts, small sweets called rings fried in oil barrels, boiled milk corn, and the most delicious pilaf you can eat in these small cabins. My favorite is chicken rice, frothy buttermilk, and pickled rosemary. I would give my life for this trio. The area is always crowded and noisy.
Midye
Mussels are tiny rice balls inside mussel shells filled with rice and spices such as cinnamon, black pepper, and coriander. I guess sushi lovers will enjoy the stuffed mussels. Spices give the rice a brownish-orange hue. Mussels can be found almost everywhere, but the most beautiful ones are those on the Galata Bridge. The last time I ate mussels, I paid 2.5₺ each. Squeeze some lemon juice on it and eat the rice using the shell like a spoon. It is one of the best alternatives to consume as a snack while walking down the Galata Bridge after drinking a beer in Karaköy.
It is believed that stuffed mussels, which were once served as a snack in Ottoman cuisine and were known as “Midyayi,” were passed down to the Ottomans by the Armenians during the Byzantine period. Stuffed mussels, also known as Armenian appetizers among the Ottomans, have endured as a street specialty to the present day.
Kokoreç
Although it may need some squinting at first, kokoreç is an Istanbul flavor that you will grow to adore with time. I claim it has the flavor of Istanbul since I had never eaten kokoreç before moving to Istanbul. Kokorec is a traditional Albanian meal. It was brought to Istanbul by Albanians who lived in Greece. As someone who like offal, I enjoyed kokoreç.
I glanced through the Turkish Language Association’s Dictionary. ‘It will be eaten from the intestines of lamb, wrapped in a bottle and cooked over a hot fire,’ writes” If you do, I guess you’re mistaken; kokoreç is an Albanian delicacy, and it’s in Albanian. Gaziosmanpasa’s pride, we adore smoky pork and kokoreç!
Kumpir
After you come to Istanbul, you will know at first glance that you need to eat one of these delicious-looking baked potatoes. This can feel like love at first sight. When you do some research on the internet, you will realize that these potatoes, called Kumpir, are very popular in Turkey, but there is no word in the dictionary yet that I can use to tell you about the flavor that this potato flavor will leave on your palate. There are Kumpir kiosks all over the city, but you can experience the best of them in Ortaköy, a small commercial district on the European side of the Bosphorus. In this neighborhood, which is very crowded and cheerful on weekends, it makes sense to go there hungry to eat one of these delicious beauties!
When you first see Ortaköy from the north, you will notice rows of kiosks – they all sell baked goods and it’s hard to decide which one to choose. If you have decided to eat a kumpir in Ortaköy, it doesn’t matter which buffet it is because they are all delicious. After carefully choosing a buffet, you go upstairs and choose your own dressings, just like a salad bar. In addition to standard butter and cheese, it is served with peas, ”kısır”, corn, olives, green olives, pickles, rice, cabbage, mushrooms, ketchup, mayonnaise, yogurt, and other special sauces specified by the buffet.
Rice Pilaf with Chickpeas
There are many food alternatives in Turkey such as simit, lahmacun, çigköfte and of course chicken doner. But there is a street flavor that will make you feel like you are in your own kitchen: “Tavuklu Nohutlu Pilav,” which is chicken rice with chickpeas. This street flavor is seen on every corner, especially around business areas and shops. Because it is a meal that is preferred and enjoyed by those who work during the day or by the residents of the house who are looking for a quick nutritious lunch.
Recently, a friend of mine, who knows my interest in Istanbul and etymology, invited me to travel together. “Brother, what is this Unkapanı story and what does Unkapanı mean? What a strange neighborhood and district names in Istanbul!” I began to suspect her evil grin and the idea of making fun of me. Unkapani was named Unkapanı because the first ten sacks of flour were given free of charge from the ships filled with flour that came to the Golden Horn in the 19th century. According to another legend, it was spoken of as “ten traps” because there were ten sacks in the beginning, but as time passed, it turned into the Unkapanı form. And the place where you can eat the best chickpea rice is definitely Unkapanı. Unkapani is within walking distance of Eminönü and I strongly recommend you to have a chickpea pilaf at Unkapani.
Borek
Thought all pies, “böreks” are served at home or in bakeries? I suggest you think again. The street pastry is especially preferred among gourmets who are looking for an alternative to toast instead of toast. Usually there is cheese and various toppings between the dough layers. Most of the pastries sold on the street are quite soft compared to handmade pastries, but they are delicious and warm in their mouth-watering form.
A brioche is like a small, thin, spherical slice of dough or flatbread filled with greens and cheese or meat toppings of your choice. It is formed by adding these materials to thin phyllo dough. Burrito lovers will never be able to say no to this flavor. The filling is placed in the middle of the dough, squeezed tightly, and baked in a convex steel sheet pan. The outside of the pastry turns a beautiful golden color as it cooks inside. The smell emitted during cooking time will increase your appetite. Unlike other countries, it often folds up when finished. While the edges are chewed, if the flat outer part turns into a feast of taste, you will have a crunchy consistency in your mouth.
Anatolia Coziness
Buying properties in Turkey is rapidly becoming more than an international trend in global commercial markets. There are many factors contributing to this, but the most likely explanation is that this type of real estate investment is typically rewarding for both employees and individuals. In addition, as it is aimed to modernize the current economy to compete with experienced competitors, its growth potential is increasing day by day in line with the targets set by it.
Istanbul Cradle of Civilizations
Istanbul’s culture is a synthesis of Asian and European influences. Every neighborhood in Istanbul has unique experiences to offer. Some are pretty cheap and simple to live with, while others are really flashy. Most of Turkey’s wealthy citizens buy property in Istanbul, where they enjoy the best standard of living.
Istanbul is the most crowded city in Turkey. A large part of its population consists of people who have immigrated from other cities of Turkey or from other countries. Every year, hundreds of people pursue the job opportunities that Istanbul has to offer, obtaining better living conditions and settling in this great, favorable metropolis, and almost none or very few of these immigrants regret their decision. Those who give up the idea of living in Istanbul return to their hometowns. Istanbul has become a city that attaches utmost importance to security due to its size and density. Although Istanbul is Turkey’s largest metropolis, it has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
