Taksim is Arabic for ‘division’ or ‘distribution’. Originally Taksim Square was a water
center. In 1732 Sultan Mahmud I ordered the creation of a stone reservoir to collect the water
coming from the Belgrade Forest, so it could be distributed to other parts of the city. This stone
reservoir can still be seen at the beginning of Istiklal Caddesi. Today Taksim is considered as the heart
of modern Istanbul. Istanbul doesn’t have a city center or downtown but if we insist on naming one
center for Istanbul it would be Taksim Square.
center. In 1732 Sultan Mahmud I ordered the creation of a stone reservoir to collect the water
coming from the Belgrade Forest, so it could be distributed to other parts of the city. This stone
reservoir can still be seen at the beginning of Istiklal Caddesi. Today Taksim is considered as the heart
of modern Istanbul. Istanbul doesn’t have a city center or downtown but if we insist on naming one
center for Istanbul it would be Taksim Square.
This week’s post were misir, kestane and midye dolma. When you are talking about all in one type of
destination Taksim is the ultimate address. The melting spot for locals and tourists offers countless
options with regards to food ranging from international fast food chains (3x McDonalds, 2x Burger
King, 2x Pizza Hut) to Historic/traditional Turkish restaurants (Hacı Abdullah Lokantasi, Zubeyir
Ocakbasi, Markiz) but as you walk down the Istiklal Street it is nearly impossible to avoid tempting
Street food at every corner.
destination Taksim is the ultimate address. The melting spot for locals and tourists offers countless
options with regards to food ranging from international fast food chains (3x McDonalds, 2x Burger
King, 2x Pizza Hut) to Historic/traditional Turkish restaurants (Hacı Abdullah Lokantasi, Zubeyir
Ocakbasi, Markiz) but as you walk down the Istiklal Street it is nearly impossible to avoid tempting
Street food at every corner.
And there it is, as soon as you start walking on to Istiklal Street you hear it, ‘Taze süt mısır var!!’. As
you can’t translate true meaning to any other language, one must taste it to understand what ‘süt
mısır’ means. For the sake of this blog i will try to explain it with few words. Its type of corn when you
touch, bite or suck it gives you watery liquid which translates as ‘milk’ to english. It has to do with
freshness of the corn. Long story short, another tasty Street food in İstanbul, definitely a must eat!
you can’t translate true meaning to any other language, one must taste it to understand what ‘süt
mısır’ means. For the sake of this blog i will try to explain it with few words. Its type of corn when you
touch, bite or suck it gives you watery liquid which translates as ‘milk’ to english. It has to do with
freshness of the corn. Long story short, another tasty Street food in İstanbul, definitely a must eat!
Another Street food with its own lingo, more like motto, you can expect to hear in Taksim is kestane.
You guessed it right, ‘Kestane Kebap yemesi sevap!’. They are trying to tell you it is as good as kebap
and it is commandment as commanded by Allah (Sevap also known as Mitzvah in hebrew). Seasonal
alternative to Misir, Kestane is must eat of winter.
You guessed it right, ‘Kestane Kebap yemesi sevap!’. They are trying to tell you it is as good as kebap
and it is commandment as commanded by Allah (Sevap also known as Mitzvah in hebrew). Seasonal
alternative to Misir, Kestane is must eat of winter.