Top 10 street food Istanbul has to offer
Sometimes a luxurious restaurant won't just beat the ready-to-eat food sold by a street vendor. Here are the best 10 street food Istanbul has to offer
1. Döner, also known as gyro, or shawarma, is one of the most popular choices especially for students as it is sold at relatively affordable prices and has a good taste. You can find one of the best döner Istanbul has to offer at Karadeniz Dönercisi in Beşiktaş district.
2. The best place to go to taste spiced mutton liver is undoubtedly the Manifaturacılar (drapers) Bazaar in Unkapanı district. There are many street vendors over there and no luxurious restaurant can beat the taste.3. The best places to have fish sandwiches in Istanbul are Eminönü and Karaköy. You can stop by the floating boats on the Golden Horn to enjoy a nice sandwich with preferably pickle juice.
4. Known as 'içli köfte' in Turkish, Kibbeh is one of the masterpieces of Turkish cuisine. You can find the best kibbeh of Istanbul in the entrance of Danışman alleyway on the famous Istiklal Avenue.
5. You should also try the best meatballs of Istanbul, especially sold by Street vendors in Beşiktaş and Mecidiyeköy districts.
6. Best kokoretsi ('kokoreç' in Turkish) in Istanbul can be enjoyed in Çengelköy district on the Asian side and Tepebaşı district on the European side.
7. Kumpir, or baked potato is a reminder of famous Ortaköy district on the Bosphorus. Street vendors in Ortaköy offer the best kumpir you can find in Istanbul.
8. You can enjoy the freshest stuffed mussels in stalls around the Zincirlikuyu metrobus stop and Kadıköy square.
9. Rice, one of the classics and fundamentals of Turkish cuisine, is a street favorite. You can prefer ayran (yogurt drink), chilli pickles with traditional rice with chicken, dried beans or chickpeas as toppings. You may stop by the vendors in Manifaturacılar Bazaar to enjoy a nice plate of rice with a wide range of choices.
10. You can find Street vendors selling corn on the cob around Istanbul. You can choose to eat it either boiled or roasted, salted or unsalted.