Istanbul Through My Eyes - III (Food & Bazaars)

ISTANBUL THROUGH MY EYES – III (FOOD AND BAZAARS)

If the best way to win a heart is through the stomach, then Istanbul
hits straight where it matters most. It's a foodie's paradise and the
choice is so varied and mouth watering. What's more, it is right there
on the street in, as much as, it is served up in fancy restaurants.

Istanbulus treat food with respect. They seem to enjoy eating
together and fast foods, American style are clearly lacking. They
also seem to have a sweet tooth as Borekci - pastry and dessert
restaurants and shops are aplenty. You can get both sweet and
savoury pastries.

Lokantas or basic Turkish restaurants sell mostly cheap ready food
laid out in dishes and you may choose what you wish to eat. Pideci,
the Turkish version of a pizza parlour is popular too. Lahmacun a
thin crispy based pizza/roti folded over with a thin layer of topping
is good as a quick snack.

Doner Kebap and Kofte Piyaj are the signs you see everywhere and they
are truly delicious.

Some popular street food – also sold in restaurants and bakeries are
Simit, a bread ring covered with sesame, seasonally steamed corn on
the cob and roasted chestnuts. Where we have peanuts and chickpeas,
here we find carts of dry fruit!

Heard of Fish Sandwiches? You will see carts on the street with
sardines or mackeral being deep fried in a flat pan with a depression
in the centre. It is so tempting just watching this being done and
very soon you will give in and buy one. The fish is crammed into a
loaf of bread and served with salad. You can also get grilled filet
versions of these sandwiches.

Midye dolmasi, or fresh mussels stuffed with pilaf rice and onions and
tomatoes and parsley and pine nuts and currants, flavored with lemon
juice and sometimes nutmeg are tempting.

For the vegetarians, eggplant, okra and beans are a favorite.
Vegetables are eaten with bread.

Turkish Delight called Lokum locally is a confection you must try.
The assortment is huge and the best bet are the ones loaded with nuts.
Lokum is a kind of jelly or jujube

Popular desserts and sweets among a great number are Baklava and Kunefe

Among drinks, Cay or tea is the national pastime. Just plain, no milk
no sugar. Turkish coffee though talked about is not so widely
consumed. Aryan – Yogurt drink similar to buttermilk is one that is
drunk along with their kebaps and main courses. Sahlep is a winter
drink, delicious! It made with milk mixed with a spoonful of powder
made from tapioca root extract or even orchids and served sprinkled
with cinnamon. It tastes a lot like thin vanilla custard.

Raki is the local alcoholic drink which one needs to develop a taste
for. Beer is a second choice.

Bazaars

Istanbul is also a city of Bazaars. Two of the well known ones which
just cannot be missed on a tourist's itinerary are the Spice Bazaar
and the Grand Bazaar.

The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world
with more than 58 streets and 6,000 shops. It is well known for its
jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. The bazaar contains two
domed masonry structures built for storage and safe keeping. It is
really difficult to choose and buy stuff here as there is too much of
it. However, it is a good place to pick up souvenirs and some
traditional handicrafts.
The Spice Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars in the city and the
second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar.
However, due to the fact that many spices were imported via Egypt
during the Ottoman period, the name "Misir Carsisi" or Egyptian Bazaar
was favoured by the public. The bazaar was and still is the center
for spice trade in Istanbul. The building itself is part of the
compound of the Yeni Mosque, and rents from the shops within was
intended to help pay for the upkeep of the mosque. The structure was
designed by the chief court architect Koca Kasım Ağa, but completed by
architect Mustafa in 1660.
Besides these two Bazaars there are many more shopping districts and
fancier shops in up market areas as well.