Street food vendors are an essential part of Istanbul’s urban make up. Simit, pilav, barbecued sweetcorn, roast chestnuts, fresh seasonal vegetables, grilled fish sandwiches, kokoreç (grilled, stuffed intestines), stuffed mussel, but perhaps the most welcome sight of all is the köfte (meatball) vendors.. After soccer games, during concerts, on the way home after a tiring day’s work, during a night out drinking, or when you face a hunger crisis at midnight… Whenever you seem to really need something filling and tasty, there’s always a van that has cleverly been converted into a mobile meatball restaurant.
When you buy meatballs from a van they are generally served in a sandwich. You can order your meatballs in either a quarter or half of a loaf of fresh crusty bread. Once you’ve decided on the size, the only decisions left to make are: Would you like spicy pickled peppers thrown in (for little hot explosions on your tongue)? And would you like to wash it down with a cooling ayran (a popular salty yoghurt drink)? For the truly Turkish experience, we recommend saying yes to both. If this sounds like the kind of street food experience you want to have, we recommend you visit on our favorite köfte :
1- Orjin Köfte
Orjin Köfte by Foursquare user Yılmaz O.
A minibus painted yellow and red (significantly the colors of Galatasaray football club) is a favorite of many. Until the popular football team’s former stadium was demolished, Galatasaray fans had the unique pleasure of enjoying meatballs from Orjin Köfte. Yet while the stadium may no longer be there, Orjin Köfte is still open daily between 6-11pm and the ever present queue says it all.
Where? Ali Sami Yen Street No: 2/4 Gayrettepe Beşiktaş / Istanbul
2- Köfte Arabası
A photo of meatballs being prepared in Köfte Arabası by Foursquare user Çağdaş G.
Köfte Arabası is an old green van, packed full of taste. Based in Mecidiyeköy, it welcomes the meatball-lovers from all parts of Istanbul and is famous among locals. Istanbulites travel from far wnad wide to sample the succulent meatballs here. Pay it ia visit and you’ll find out why.
Where? Köfte Arabası is located close to Profilo Shopping Mall, on the intersection of Altan Erbulak Street and Dilligil Street. Mecidiyeköy/ Istanbul
3- Köfteci Selahattin
Köfteci Selahattin by Foursquare user K O.
Another equally famous taste destination, Köfteci Selahattin provides a delicious experience right on the shores of the Bosphorus shore It’s one of the most interesting and delicious dining options along the shores of Bosphorus, lacking the pretentions of the fancy restaurants the take up most of the prime shore space. Take a breath, watch the view, and enjoy your meatballs!
Where? Next to the Dentur Avrasya Pier in Kabataş. Meclis-i Mebusan Street. Kabataş Beyoğlu/ Istanbul
4- Rüştiye Köfte & Et
Photo credit: tinkostinkos.blogspot.com.tr
Köfte vendors are on the Anatolian side as well! Serving out of Kalamış, for 25 years, Mustafa Usta has earned his living from Rüştiye Köfte & Et. While you are waiting for your meatballs to be prepared, you can watch the harmony of colors of the vegetables studiously aligned on the bench. Make sure to try his delicious beef steak too.
Where? Next to the open car park in Kalamış, Kadıköy / Istanbul
Note: The meatballs prepared and cooked by street vendors in Istanbul are called “tükürük/ tükrük köfte” (spitball). Keep calm, the name is absolutely not related with the ingredients!
If you’ve eaten all the köfte you think you can manage and are looking for an alternative option, we wanted to let you in on one of team’s particular favorites:
:
Bonus: İçli Köfte at Sabırtaşı
Photo credit: instagram.com/sabirtasirestoran
İçli köfte or kibbeh is a special type of meatball with many different variations. It’s originally derived from Arabic cuisine and its main ingredients are a bulgur (cracked wheat) shel, and a crumbly interior of minced onions, finely ground meat, walnuts and Middle-Eastern spices. Ali Usta and his family moved to Istanbul from Kahramanmaraş (a city in southeast Turkey) in 1987. Ali’s wife made the içli köfte Ali sold them in a small cart on İstiklal Caddesi. After years of work, they have now opened their own restaurant but Ali Usta still sells his içli köfte from his cart right by the entrance of their restaurant.
Where? İstiklal Caddesi No 112, 5th Floor Beyoğlu/ Istanbul
If you have any questions or comments about street food in Istanbul, feel free to drop a comment below. I will be happy to help! Also, don’t forget to share this appetizing post with your friends. Bon appetit (or afiyet olsun as we say in Turkey)!
Photo credit: Flickr user ayhang
