Daniel E on Twitter: @d_esteban_88

Istanbul is such a fascinating place to visit with its mix of Middle Eastern and European influences it has it all, great sites, culture, people and of course, amazing food. I pretty much spent half of my time in Istanbul eating my way through everything in sight. Here are 10 things that I enjoyed through recommendations and discoveries during my time there.

1. Balik Ekmek

I did a bit of research on food and came across Balik Ekmek which literally translates to ‘fish bread’. What better place to try this simple but fresh sandwich than near the Eminonu port where the fish is being caught and filleted fresh. This simple sandwich consists of grilled mackerel fillets, lettuce, tomato, onions and a squeeze of lemon in a baguette. Easy, fresh and cheap, this sandwich will only set you back 5 to 8 Turkish Lira.

2. Kumpir

This was a recommendation from a lady on my flight. Essentially it is a jacket potato but forget any image of beans and cheese these jacket potatoes are quite unique. We were told by the reception guy in the hostel to head to the other side of Istanbul in Ortakoy for the best Kumpir. After a long humid bus journey and my stomach rumbling I was ready to eat. There were about 4 or 5 stalls offering Kumpir here so basically go for whichever catches your eye. They ask you what you would like in your Kumpir, me not being a fussy eater decided to go all in and have everything. A dozen different toppings in a huge baked potato, full of colours and flavours. Munching away on this filling dish with a backdrop of the Bosphorus Bridge and the Ortokoy Mosque you can’t really ask for more.

3. Kokorec

This one was another recommendation from the helpful lady on my flight. However, she didn’t elaborate on what it was exactly and I was a bit taken aback by what it actually was but pleasantly surprised by the taste. In short, Kokorec is lamb offal such as sweetbreads and hearts wrapped in lambs intestines. I’m not a fan of offal but the simple seasoning of salt, pepper, olive oil, oregano and lemon make Kokorec a pleasure to eat. Served with salad in a bread roll, this is one of Turkey’s most popular fast food snacks. I have asked many Turkish people in London where I can find Kokorec and the answer is nowhere. Take advantage whilst in Istanbul as you are unlikely to find it outside of Turkey and Greece.

4. Dürüm

This was my favourite thing to eat in Istanbul without a doubt. It was so that I ate it 3 times and the best place to eat a Dürüm is at Dürümzade in Beyoglu. I had read about this place prior to going to Istanbul but stumbled across it after bar hopping around Istikal Avenue. This small place is set out perfectly to attract people. The grill is right on the window front where it also showcases all the meat that you can choose from adana, lamb and chicken shish. The thing that makes the durum so good is the lavash bread. Lavash originating from Armenia, is a flatbread that not only holds together the contents of the durum it is also a key component that also adds great flavour and texture. If you are feeling extra hungry you can always double up. A Dürüm will set you back between 7 and 12 Turkish Lira and goes great with an Ayran.

5. Midye Dolmas

Midye Dolmas is an Istanbul street food staple. Recommended by a friend of mine, it didn’t take me long to find someone selling these mussels stuffed with rice. It’s a nice simple thing to snack on when you are feeling peckish either when walking around or just in between bars. Fragrant rice, compliments the mussel and a splash of lemon juice. Typically sold by the dozen and served in its shell so that you use it as a makeshift spoon. A dozen of these will set you back about 7 Turkish Lira depending on where you are. Avoid paying double in a restaurant and keep it on the streets to get be better value.

6. Turkish Tea

You may think that it’s only tea, but it’s the surroundings and way it is served that makes it a great thing to drink. Tea drinking is very much engrained in Turkish culture as is coffee and is a great way to get talking to some locals who are very helpful and more than willing to recommend you things to see and places to eat. Not being a fan of coffee (I hear Turkish coffee is very good) I went for tea. I drank tea by the port, in the middle of a park, with a meal, with a shisha and even with local selling football shirts in a hidden shop (a tad sketchy but very enjoyable). Tea drinking is everywhere in Istanbul and was very much part of the agenda on each day of my stay there. The most popular is the black tea but then you also have mint tea and apple tea. For 1 to 2 Turkish Lira you get a small hour glass of tea with a small saucer and spoon. More often than not you will get a free top up if you are friendly.

7. Kofteci

There are so many varieties of Kofteci that it would be impossible for me to tell you what is the best let alone eat my way through all the varieties. The ones I came across where small flat meat balls served with some grilled tomatoes and chilies. Again very simple and flavoursome food the way food should be eaten. Which place does the best Kofteci sparks fierce debate and there are many names flung about. I hit up a local spot called Kofteci Sami Usta in Karakoy, so good I went twice.

8. Baklava

When I’m having a sweet craving Baklava is one of my favourite things to eat and along with Greece, Turkey is the place to eat Baklava. Thin layers of syrup soaked filo pastry, with crushed pistachios, so sweet that a bite sized piece is enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. I had quite a few varieties of baklava whilst in Istanbul including one with chocolate filo pastry….. Incredible. You wont have trouble finding some Baklava as there are plenty of shops selling them at 2 Turkish lira a go. My favourite was in a small bakery along the cobbled streets of Galata.

9. Pomegranate Juice

Istanbul has great fresh fruit and what better way to cool yourself down than some freshly squeezed juice. Orange is by far the most popular but for me Pomegranate Juice was the best. Silky, sweet and colourful freshly squeezed in front of your very eyes. Pomegranate juice can be found in most markets around Istanbul.

10. Börek

A savoury filo pastry snack invented during Ottoman times, Börekcan also be found around the Balkans and other Arabic nations. With Börekoriginating from Turkey a visit of Istanbul would not be complete unless I ate one. They ha lots of varieties including one stuffed with vegetables to satisfy the often neglected vegetarians. However, the meat filled version is the original. The place I went to was so old school that it felt like I went back in time eating there. It even had a small TV playing Turkish music videos.