We all know pilav’s importance in Turkish cuisine but what you may not know is the best
place to eat pilav is Unkapanı pilavcısı by IMÇ in Istanbul. There are hundreds of
pilav trolleys in the streets of Istanbul but somehow this one in particular has a better
reputation than others. With chicken, chickpeas and peppered meets, pilav in must-try street
food combination! Oh, let’s not forget Ayran to go with it!
place to eat pilav is Unkapanı pilavcısı by IMÇ in Istanbul. There are hundreds of
pilav trolleys in the streets of Istanbul but somehow this one in particular has a better
reputation than others. With chicken, chickpeas and peppered meets, pilav in must-try street
food combination! Oh, let’s not forget Ayran to go with it!
Everynight by 8 p.m. Chef Ayvaz starts his shift at the portable ‘pilav’ cart is rolled out to a
side street of one of the busiest road in Istanbul. Highly favored by taxi drivers,
it is speculated that some celebrities are amongst regulars. It is also preferred by many
people for after work as quick bite to hold them over until they get home.
The history of ‘Unkapanı Pilavcısı’ dates back 15 years, all in the same corner. They
always seem busy and resemble a factory on mass production. The flow of people never
stops through out the night.
side street of one of the busiest road in Istanbul. Highly favored by taxi drivers,
it is speculated that some celebrities are amongst regulars. It is also preferred by many
people for after work as quick bite to hold them over until they get home.
The history of ‘Unkapanı Pilavcısı’ dates back 15 years, all in the same corner. They
always seem busy and resemble a factory on mass production. The flow of people never
stops through out the night.
Chef Ayvaz, now celebrity in the pilav business, has recently move to a store just behind his corner in
IMÇ, but he keeps the ritual alive he still serves from the trolley in the street and uses the store for
cooking and storing purposes. Debates of hygiene is a turn off for many people with
regards to street food, so this move also made him more ‘official’ and ‘hygienic’. Any how
that meat bouillon (broth) makes the taste irresistible for anyone to stay away from street
pilav.
IMÇ, but he keeps the ritual alive he still serves from the trolley in the street and uses the store for
cooking and storing purposes. Debates of hygiene is a turn off for many people with
regards to street food, so this move also made him more ‘official’ and ‘hygienic’. Any how
that meat bouillon (broth) makes the taste irresistible for anyone to stay away from street
pilav.