Street Food: Istanbul

by Jacqui Priestley

What better place to start than the Old City and just outside the Grand Bazaar, which actually as I arrived felt initially like turning up on a film set from ancient biblical times, with thick, tall fortress like City walls and stone archways. There’s a palpable sense of history here, where every stone and archway whispers tales of Byzantine and Ottoman splendour.

Arriving at the Old City in Istanbul is also a sensory feast. As I step into this ancient quarter, I am immediately enveloped by a vibrant blend of sights, sounds, and smells. The air is rich with the aroma of spices wafting from the Grand Bazaar, where vendors call out, eager to share their wares. Cobblestone streets wind through a tapestry of architectural wonders, each telling stories of empires past.

The calls to prayer from minarets echo harmoniously, weaving through the daily hustle and bustle. But before I go on my tour of Istanbul (which I will guide you through over the next two issues) I set about to discover the street food - here we go…

It’s a well-known fact that even the most elite of Istanbulites have a hard time resisting the tantalising scent of this freshly baked, molasses-dipped and sesame-crusted dough.

Turkey’s answer to the American bagel, simit is a staple of breakfasts on-the-go. I expected it to be dry and not really tasty, but this was surprisingly chewy and delicious I have to say.

Durum or Kebab

One of the most democratic Turkish culinary inventions. Why? You’re just as likely to encounter it on a street corner as you are at the fanciest of restaurants. Whether it’s the chicken, beef, cheese or veggie variety you prefer, this meal in wrap form is sure to set you free from your hunger pangs. I tried one of each over the next few days, and yes, you know it - they are all delicious.

Kestane

Apparently, the street vendors mentioned above shift to roasted chestnuts in wintertime, however, right now (in May) they are selling both! Very popular they are as well, equally with locals as with tourists.

Misir

Freshly boiled or grilled corn on the cob, often sprinkled with salt or spices. This popular snack is almost exclusively sold during the summer months by the real street sellers with their push cars.

I am soon getting to understand that eating street food and drinking freshly pressed fruit juice is very much part of the Istanbul way of life, and as I leave the Grand Bazaar and Eminonu Square to continue on my tour I see the juxtaposition of the ancient and modern; traditional tea houses sit beside contemporary cafés, and historic sites blend seamlessly with everyday life. The Old City is a living museum, where each corner turned reveals another layer of Istanbul’s rich, multifaceted heritage.

It’s an exhilarating immersion into a world where past and present coexist in perfect harmony.