Istanbul Street Food Volume -1

Hey I am back after I graduated, worked few restaurants as a chef and learnt a lot!

I organised many photos from my last trip to Istanbul but could not have enough time to share.

I have been asked many times where to eat in Istanbul especially the street and authentic food.

Here some of my happy places to eat:

Kumpir & Waffle / Ortakoy

Huge potatoes baked in wood fired ovens, mashed with butter and mozarella the filled with -hard to pick- ingredients such as, sausage with tomato sauce, olives, Turkish bulgur salad ( kisir), Russian salad, pickles…

It is a classic, filling Istanbul street food dish and you have to buy from the stalls in Ortakoy.

Waffles are another option with different chocolate types and fruit toppings.

Islak Hamburger - Wet Burger / Kizilkayalar

The clouds made of burgers, the pillow you would want to eat, the smell you want to follow everywhere. Not a joke, it is something you want to eat before die.

There is always queue, but moves really quick don’t miss it!!!

Doner Kebap - Tatar Salim / Donerci Sahin Usta / Asim Usta

A lot to say when it comes to doner kebap, comparing the ones in Sydney and Turkiye; but I will not get into this now:)

Tatar Salim is doing amazing job with the authenticity, service, freshness and quality. It is on the Asian side of Istanbul, in Kadikoy Carsi.

Donerci Sahin Usta is located in Grand Bazaar. This doner is made by minced meat hard to believe! Wrapped in “tirnak pide” served with onion and tomates. Simple yet, mouthwatering.

Asim Usta got the fame from the size and taste of the doner kebap every day they prepared for feeding large crowds in Istanbul / Besiktas.

They sold out pretty quickly!

Midye Dolma & Midye Tava / Street Vendors - Golden Kokorec and Midye - Midyeci Ahmet

Mussels in two ways: Stuffed and battered-fried.

Stuffing version consists of rice, spices and onion mixture. The battered one fried and served with garlic sauce.

These are tastes you should never ever ever ever miss unless you have seafood allergy!

Tavuklu Pilav / Chicken and rice pilaf - Street Vendors

When you encountered men wearing suits, eating their lunch standing around a small cart, you can tell there is Tavuk-pilav.

Turkish pilaf is made different from Asian style. It is prepared roasting rice with butter, using stock or orzo pasta sometimes.

Poached chicken at the top with chickpeas, seasoned with black pepper.

Tomato sauce and chilli pickles are, another way to devour it!

Kokorec / Spit Roasted Intestines - Midyeci Ahmet, Golden Kokorec

I know it doesn’t sound really appealing, I hated the idea of having it for years.

Then I saw my delicate, princess and diva cousin eating it like there is no tomorrow, so decided to try:)

I can tell this, it tastes much better than most of the steaks, nice cuts you had in the past.

They season it with spices like thyme, red chilli flakes and serve in a crunchy bread in general. There are different ways to eat, like big pieces or minced with tomato & spices.

Cig Kofte Durum / Spiced bulghur wrap - Street Vendors, Komagene, Oses

Origin in Adiyaman, southeastern city of Turkiye, “ Cig Kofte” is made with raw meat, hand kneading with spices for a long time. Cooked like this in a way.

The health policy does not allow it having it raw, that is why the vegan version took over, grew and became people’s favourite in all over Turkiye.

Best eaten with green herbs, pomegranate sauce (if you find a real one would be amazing), lemon juice with cold yogurt drink “ayran”.

Esnaf Lokantalari / Local Eateries

These eateries could be the heart of eating culture in Istanbul. Because it is like a Turkish mum made, warm, cheap, basically for everyone.

You can find from stews, soups, oven baked meals with sides to different desserts and tea.

Such a luxury!

Durum / Wrapped Kebab

Durum is where you can have take-away style wrapped kebab in lavosh/ flat bread. I personally like to try the ones,on the side of the road, made in a truck-like kitchen . The smell of freshly grilled lamb meat with crunchy bread, pulls you there whether you are hungry or not!

Durum Durak is located in Merter, quite busy, especially in the night time for late night food lovers. Eating in your car or sitting small tables arranged near the the truck, up to you.