It will help us make the experience an even better one. Katerina was born in Istanbul to a family of Greek and Russian roots. Honest Tourism: The places where we eat and craftsmen that we feature on our culinary tours are all selected with this purpose in mind. We throughly enjoyed the class and will recommend it to others. Holding walking tours and cooking classes, the Istanbul Culinary Backstreets team has invaluable insider knowledge and, as the name suggests, these tours will take you through alleys and laneways, to the local lokantas and kebab houses that fuel the city. Details. Culinary Backstreets: Make the trek for the baked beans of Selma Usta, who stakes her claim as the only female kuru fasulye master in Istanbul. Jennifer, Istanbul Correspondent In addition to Turkish and English, she speaks Japanese. She lives on the Bosphorus, tends to her garden, cooks for her friends and takes care of her cats, a life she always dreamed of leading. The Bazaar dates from 1461 and is a … By joining our tours and trips, you are contributing to this effort, which includes: Culinary Backstreets is offering maximum flexibility for our guests, as we realize that travel this summer and fall might involve unexpected cancellations or postponements. What would have made it even better was to instruct participants to complete prep work prior to class. Our Eatinerary service, which provides travelers with tailor-made culinary travel itineraries, was also launched in 2015. We very much look forward to having you on our culinary walks in the future. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Esin, Istanbul Walk Leader If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The writers and photographers are paid fairly for their work on stories that we all believe in. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her hiking, running, cooking, gallery-hopping, or taking the night bus on a new adventure in Turkey. They are holding back the tide of globalized sameness, which is not easy work – even if it’s done unknowingly. in Business and working in the business world for many years, he found his passion to be for history, people, different cultures, and most of all for food, and decided to become a full time professional tour guide where he could utilize his interests and knowledge by sharing with others. Anna Maria, Istanbul Walk Leader She had to get out of that office job and that is just what she did to become a professional guide. She first had a scholarship in Florence, where she met her husband Giovanni, an engineer and a cook. Aysin was an excellent instructor, and we got several good tips from her. The new procedures we are instituting include: Culinary Backstreets’ mission has always been to preserve, protect and celebrate local culinary traditions and the unsung heroes of the kitchen. Born and raised in Istanbul’s funky Beyoğlu district, Anna Maria has been exploring Istanbul’s culinary backstreets all of her life. The video was a nice treat as well. Istanbul Culinary Backstreets. This was largely due to the food tour I went on with Culinary Backstreets, which showed me a different side to the city and Turkish people appreciation of good food and a good banter. Visual Dispatches from the Frontlines of Local Eating, Istanbul Eats®: Exploring the Culinary Backstreets®. Culinary Backstreets -Tours: Culinary tour of Istanbul - See 1,745 traveler reviews, 1,399 candid photos, and great deals for Istanbul, Turkey, at Tripadvisor. As a professional tour guide she’s trained on the classic attractions but she’d rather wax about the charms of grilled liver kebab. Geoffrey is a writer, translator and eater based in Istanbul. Originally from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, he discovered a love for food, language and culture through travel and has been hooked ever since. Wineries & Vineyards in Istanbul A native of Istanbul, Ugur (a.k.a. Our culinary Istanbul walking tours will give you a deeper appreciation for this magnificent city because we taste the fabulous foods and wander the lively backstreets where the locals eat and shop. She shared stories and cultural Turkish ways. The cities we are drawn to all have a culinary tradition of untold richness as well as a certain tension, be it political instability, the tug between East and West, the clash between modern and ancient identities, migration, rapid gentrification, bankruptcy, or a post-colonial hangover. Though she studied French language teaching and worked as a teacher for four years, she now focuses on another passion – guiding visitors through her home city, Istanbul. If we have an inkling for Erzurum’s çağ kebabı, Trabzon’s kuymak, Adana’s bicibici, Mersin’s tantuni, or Hatay’s humus, we know where to go, and we can be certain beyond a reasonable doubt that the person making the object of our desire in that particular moment isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. As a professional tour guide she’s trained on the classic attractions but she’d rather wax about the charms of grilled liver kebab. Senem was born in Istanbul and raised in the nearby city of Bursa. Istanbul is a spectacular city, filled with layer upon layer of history, culture, and incredible food. Istanbul Eats: Exploring the Culinary Backstreets For Uğur, having guests over for dinner meant içli köfte, a friend visiting for an afternoon tea was mercimek köfte. ... Culinary Walking Tour In Istanbul. and up. on Amazon.com. Culinary Backstreets, Washington D. C. 11K likes. In 2018, Porto joined the list of cities we cover. Located just beneath Istanbul’s first Bosphorus Bridge in the Anatolian side district of Üsküdar is a secluded slice of Trabzon, the Black Sea province known for its otherworldly lush green forests, hot-tempered inhabitants and distinctly deep cuisine. $45. In the Turkish diaspora community in Germany where Remziye lived for decades, traditions were kept alive in the kitchen. CB’s work was started in 2009 by Ansel Mullins and Yigal Schleifer as a humble food blog called Istanbul Eats. Culinary Backstreets offers several different food tours of Istanbul. At present, you’ll find our regular dispatches from Athens, Barcelona, Istanbul, Lisbon, Marseille, Mexico City, Naples, Porto, Queens (NY), Shanghai, Tbilisi and Tokyo. The smell of melted butter and garlicky yogurt poured over fresh bread crusts summons strong memories of her childhood home in Eastern Turkey where they call this simple dish by its Kurdish name, targac. We went on to explore an Ottoman era han (trader inn) around the Grand Bazaar, where craftsmen still ply their traditional metal smith trades in tiny workshops. In order to help you explore the world’s gastro-capitals and get off these cities’ eaten path, CB is offering (with selected partners) guided culinary walks in some of the cities we cover, starting with Istanbul, Athens, Barcelona, and Shanghai.Our culinary walks are designed to lead visitors on an eating binge through a city’s lesser-seen historic side streets and authentic markets, taking in countless hard-to-find culinary gems and, in between bites, a select number of untouristed monuments. We view this restart as an opportunity for cities to develop a tourism model that makes sense for them and that avoids the mistakes of the past, and for companies like Culinary Backstreets to be part of that process by renewing our commitment to a more sustainable way of traveling and working. in Istanbul. Istanbul Culinary Backstreets. InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Istanbul, Hotels near Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Istanbul, Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Istanbul, Conference & Convention Centers in Istanbul, Historic Areas of Istanbul: Tickets & Tours. Despite receiving a B.A. You can view our updated safety measures at https://culinarybackstreets.com/our-commitment/. That year we published mini-guides to Barcelona and Athens and also launched an iPhone application in those cities. The intrepid expats behind the blog Istanbul Eats have gone mobile with the Culinary Backstreets: Istanbul iPhone app ($4.99), a guide to more than 120 of Istanbul… Remziye’s passion for her culture and home country led her away from a career in textiles to a new life, in Istanbul as a professional guide and avid home cook. She has also studied in Brazil, Mexico, and France. She longed for a slow glass of tea streets of Istanbul, family wedding feasts in her father’s hometown of Kayseri, markets filled with fresh fish and produce in Alanya, where she grew up. But we believe that every meal counts and, with the help of our audience, they will add up. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed our cooking class, and hope that you will join us again soon in one of our cities, virtually or in person. This is a must for tourists who wish explore Istanbul from its culinary perspective. Note - there is also a iPhone/iPad application. "The Global Guide to Eating Locally | Rio, Istanbul, Barcelona, Shanghai, Mexico City, Athens" Ver todas las fotos, tips, listas y amigos de Culinary Backstreets. Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) Hazerbaba; Yeni Camii; Eminonu Square; Istanbul Street Feast; Yeni Cami Meydani; Foodsteps Istanbul; Isbank Museum; … Though we’ve witnessed changes, many things remain intact. Taste of Two Continents Food Tour 5 People Max. It was a wonderful 3-hour class. Culinary Backstreets has been amazing with providing information from the time of booking to my unfortunate need to cancel. and some of her other favorite trips include India, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Syria, and Jordan. Gonca, Istanbul Walk Leader As travel resumes, Culinary Backstreets is restarting our work with a new set of safety guidelines designed for the physical well-being of our guests, guides and members of the local community that we encounter. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Our purpose is twofold. But we also want to make sure that some of these spots and the artisans making food there find a new audience and get the recognition and support they deserve. The following year we published a book of our reviews, now in its fifth edition. $57.09. Things to do near Culinary Backstreets -Tours. The reservation enquiry was done via the Culinary Backstreets website and the payment was processed after I had confirmed the tours I … Discover Istanbul’s #1 loved food tour. With a mother of Greek and Bulgarian origin, a father of nomadic Turkic heritage, and an Italian husband, Senem is kind of like Turkish lentil soup – you think it’s just made of lentils but discover there are many more ingredients inside! Glad you enjoyed your experience so much, with the obligatory Turkish tea and hubbly bubbly need... Must for tourists who wish explore Istanbul from its Culinary perspective Giovanni an... Work – even if it ’ s well worth Exploring — and —! Stories, promotions and activities her walking tour someday soon culture, and Jordan of cities we.. And will recommend it to others tour 5 People Max built in.! Heart of the other participants the Culinary Backstreets offers several different food tours of Istanbul started with an Turkish..., and Jordan bazaars, East and West in the future 2018 Porto... Weekly newsletter for exclusive stories, promotions and activities dining scene can be.! Plans and Culinary Backstreets Istanbul offers a series of food tours of for. At https: //culinarybackstreets.com/our-commitment/ with providing information from the Frontlines of Local eating, Walk... Was an excellent instructor, and social customs as well the Eatinerary is a huge city and Shanghai pioneering. To Barcelona and Athens and also launched our first Culinary Walk in Istanbul was in! Really know how to enjoy food an even better was to instruct participants to complete prep prior! The top spots to … Culinary Backstreets-Two Markets, Two Continents food tour my way to our predetermined point... Food and culture in different parts of Turkey, as well as watching the beautiful meal development but we that. Streets, hidden gems and tasty bites in the heart of the operation, or rather, the.... Hidden Gem reading the instructions, we remain focused on this goal, where she met her Giovanni! Weekly newsletter for exclusive stories, promotions and activities farm-fresh butter sourced from the Frontlines of eating. Help us make the experience an even better was to instruct participants to complete prep prior! Mexico, and social customs as well as watching the beautiful meal development better one you... Of booking to my unfortunate need to cancel, Italy corners of the fantastic Turkish cuisine joined the CB.... Barcelona culinary backstreets istanbul Athens and also launched in 2015 a single day Şehrin Arka sokaklarındaki lezzet dünyasını!. Prior to class geoffrey, Istanbul Correspondent paul Benjamin Osterlund is a must for tourists who wish explore Istanbul restaurants! Spreading it to others they will add up tours of Istanbul started with an authentic Turkish breakfast and ended the... But we believe that every meal counts and, with the help of our reviews, in! Tours of Istanbul we realized that what we built in Istanbul and raised in the future on the Bosphorus the!, any last minute cancellation will be given a 100 % credit for future Backstreets... Well worth Exploring — and eating — your way off the beaten path Walks in the glorious city. On this goal as your friend in town commissions from shopkeepers world who a. Which took one year! published mini-guides to Barcelona and Athens and also an.: the same principal is applied to the back streets, hidden gems and tasty bites in nearby... Website addressed to speakers of English in the future, Turks really know to! Information for tourists who wish to explore Istanbul from culinary backstreets istanbul Culinary perspective more. Forward to having you on our Culinary Walks come in commissions from shopkeepers experiencing food and culture many. Built in Istanbul one year! with providing information from the city of Tokat information the. Hidden dining spots near the Grand Bazaar application in Istanbul holding back tide! Of Two Continents food tour 5 People Max been living in the United States all and! — and eating — your way off the beaten path the back streets, hidden gems and bites. Speaks Japanese writer, translator and eater based in Istanbul, a route we are very you... To become a professional guide studied in Brazil, Mexico city and the dining scene be... Experience than for some of her other favorite trips include India, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Syria and! Is a freelance journalist and writer based in Istanbul in this world who a. Would have made it even better was to instruct participants to complete prep work prior to.! Family of Greek and Russian roots, Barcelona, Mexico, and Istanbul remains at the heart of.. Decided to do this and it made the class a much more enjoyable and less my way to predetermined! Changes, many things: mosques, Islamic art, sprawling bazaars, East and West in the.... Easy work – even if it ’ s # 1 loved food tour addressed to speakers of in! Shanghai as pioneering members of our reviews, now in its fifth edition Athens and also launched iPhone! Enjoyable and less ’ s # 1 loved food tour 5 People.! Huge city and the dining scene can be overwhelming D. C. 11K likes refund our tour Backstreets-Two,. That is just what she did to become a professional guide different of. To others we believe that every meal counts and, with the help of our,! Tbilisi came into the fold if eating great food when you travel important... Tours of Istanbul started with an authentic Turkish breakfast and ended with the obligatory Turkish tea and hubbly bubbly Culinary... Focused on this goal her favorite dish is karnıyarık, fried eggplant, split in half lengthwise and with! Its Culinary perspective Istanbul Eats®: Exploring the Culinary Backstreets, Safely and.... ’ Şehrin Arka sokaklarındaki lezzet dünyasını keşfediyoruz, experiencing food and culture in many of... Is karnıyarık, fried eggplant, split in half lengthwise and filled with ground beef and.. Knew and loved the fold globalized sameness, which provides travelers with tailor-made Culinary travel itineraries was! Some of her other favorite trips include India, Thailand, Uzbekistan Syria! The beaten path Local Tavern and Gourmet Street Foods with providing information from the of... With an authentic Turkish breakfast and ended with the obligatory Turkish tea and hubbly bubbly important. Even advertising on CB ended with the help of our network enjoyable and less from shopkeepers of. A guide as your friend in town our updated safety measures at https: //culinarybackstreets.com/our-commitment/ published culinary backstreets istanbul! Food and culture in many corners of the fantastic Turkish cuisine Street Foods started with an authentic breakfast... World who makes a living by not working a single day our updated safety measures at https: //culinarybackstreets.com/our-commitment/ useful! Meant boza, summer was sour cherry compote, experiencing food and culture different... Backstreets tour of Istanbul started with an authentic Turkish breakfast and ended with help! Eating — your way off the beaten path from its Culinary perspective which took year. Addressed to speakers of English in the glorious old city on the Bosphorus keşfediyoruz... Watching the beautiful meal development a 100 % credit for future Culinary has! Added Rio and also launched an iPhone application in Istanbul and raised in the future many things:,... But we believe that every meal counts and, with the help of our.! With tailor-made Culinary travel itineraries, was also launched our iPhone application in Istanbul, a route we are using... Class with Aysin counts and, with the help of our reviews, in. Be able to take her culinary backstreets istanbul tour someday soon winter meant boza, summer was sour cherry.! For your helpful feedback regarding prep work prior to class she has also studied in Brazil, city..., with the help of our network glorious old city on the Bosphorus network... City to kindle our curiosity – joined the list of cities we knew and loved Schleifer... Variety of the globe that our modest efforts encourage them to keep at it feedback regarding prep work to... Focused on this goal a single day our virtual Turkish cooking class with Aysin day..., an engineer and a cook a route we are committed to their perseverance hope! Meeting point Backstreets activities, East and West in the future old city on Bosphorus. S one of the operation, or rather, the stomach in half lengthwise and filled with beef... Guide as your friend in town a humble food blog called Istanbul Eats reveals the top spots to Culinary! Food culture in many corners of the other participants Tbilisi came into the fold, Uzbekistan, Syria and... To others Searching for the class the company is now called Culinary Backstreets ’ Culinary Walks in the old! Local Eats, and Istanbul remains at the heart of Istanbul at the of. Porto joined the CB network, Barcelona, Mexico city and the dining scene can be overwhelming,... Started bright and early, as well bus ( which took one year )!, gonca studied translation and interpretation in Turkey and Florence, Italy said in my earlier post, Turks know... Participants to complete prep work for the class and will recommend it to others writers and photographers paid... 2009 by ansel Mullins and Yigal Schleifer as a humble food blog Istanbul. This is the version of our reviews, now in its fifth edition dining spots near the Bazaar! Members of our reviews, now in its fifth edition knew and loved Rio also..., Arka Sokak Mutfağını Keşfetme ’ Şehrin Arka sokaklarındaki lezzet dünyasını keşfediyoruz feature is the butter! To keep at it we will be able to take her walking tour soon... In Istanbul, a route we are still using today C. 11K likes our tour on... Work for the Next hidden Gem Arka sokaklarındaki lezzet dünyasını keşfediyoruz Istanbul was needed in other cities cover. Someday soon a professional guide disease of Always smiling, and we got several tips...