Hailing from the Black Sea town of Akçaabat, these legendary meatballs have earned nationwide fame for being some of the most delicious in the country. Dare we even say, Türkiye’s best-kept meaty secret. Locals swear by them. Tourists fall in love at first bite. Honestly? We’re still dreaming about them.

Whether you’re a hardcore carnivore or just in it for the cultural flavours, no trip to Türkiye is complete without sinking your teeth into these savoury meat patties.

Wait, what even is a köfte?

Köfte (pronounced kuhf-teh) are Turkish meatballs, but don’t picture your typical meatball. These are another beast. Typically made with ground beef or lamb, they’re mixed with a secret blend of spices, onions, egg, and breadcrumbs, then shaped into patties or ovals rather than balls.

They’re grilled, fried, or sometimes even cooked in sauce. When it comes to Akçaabat köfte, it’s all about that smoky, charcoal-grilled goodness.

A meatball for every region

One of the interesting things about Turkish cuisine is that every region has its own version of different traditional dishes. These variations even go down to the restaurants and families of the locals, each having their own special recipe. The same goes for their köfte. Some are spicy, some are herbal, some are melt-in-your-mouth soft, with each one different from the last.

If there’s one kind of köfte that consistently steals the spotlight as the best Turkish meatballs, it’s Akçaabat köfte. Think juicy, meaty, flavour-packed patties that are so good, you better be ready to order a second serving, one just isn’t enough!

So, what makes Akçaabat köfte so special?

It all starts with the cows.

In the rolling green hills around Akçaabat in the Trabzon region, carefully selected cows are fed a diet of fresh grass, with local herbs and salt added to their feed. This unique diet gives the meat a distinct flavour that you won’t find anywhere else, making the meat a true specialty.

The making of Akçaabat köfte

The most common meat used for Akçaabat meatballs comes from lean forearm and rib meat. It’s minced then kneaded with egg, garlic, grated onion, breadcrumbs and that special blend of spices. For something so local and delicious, just honest, simple ingredients are used to let the quality of the meat shine.

Akçaabat köfte, as you can see, are more of a slider here in the Black Sea region. They’re formed into round, flat shapes, which is what makes them unique.

After this, the magic happens: they’re grilled over a charcoal fire until perfectly browned on the outside and irresistibly juicy inside. The result? Smoky, savoury perfection on a plate.

These meatballs are so unique they’re recognized worldwide

Akçaabat meatballs are officially recognized with geographic indication by the European Commission. This means that the whole life-cycle of Akçaabat köfte occur only within this geographic region, and nowhere else in the world. They’re made from specific cows that live and graze in a defined environment which can only be found in the geographic region of Akçaabat.

Where to find the best Akçaabat köfte

If you’re heading to Türkiye’s Black Sea region, and only make it to Trabzon, make sure you taste this local köfte. Tucked down a set of unassuming stairs, you’ll find one of our absolute favourite local gems: Kamiloğlu Köfte.

It’s cozy, it’s family-run, and the köfte? Unbelievable. You’ll be welcomed with warm smiles, plates piled high with meat, and that unmistakable aroma of charcoal-grilled deliciousness. It’s the kind of place you leave already planning your return. Truly some of the best Turkish köfte in the region.

The best Turkish meatballs in Türkiye

We’re not saying Akçaabat köfte are the best Turkish meatballs just to entice you, they really are. From the quality of the meat, to the traditional preparation, to that smoky grill finish, everything about them is pure comfort food bliss.

Tasting your way through Türkiye’s köfte might just be the most delicious way to see the country. Each region has its own twist, and if Akçaabat is any indication, you’re in for one unforgettable (and filling) adventure.

Exploring a country and tasting your way around it… doesn’t sound like a bad reason to travel, does it?

Name: Kamiloğlu Köfte
Address: Mumhane Önü Piyasa Meydanı No:5 Moloz, 61200 Ortahisar/Trabzon
what3words: ///frame.decide.sweeten

The post Are Akçaabat Köfte the Best Turkish Meatballs in Türkiye? appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

With so many gorgeous places to visit, deciding which European Christmas market to go to is a feat in itself. The best markets will serve up the most unique and classic local flavours of the country, most often set amongst a stunning backdrop. There, you’ll be able to peruse local artisanal crafts in a vibrant, festive atmosphere. But, if you’re looking for something a little less touristy, with a more local feel, then we’ve got just the destination for you.

With a multitude of Christmas fairs to experience all around Europe, we have to say Budapest, Hungary is one of the best Christmas destinations in Europe.

Budapest, Hungary: a city full of festive spirit

As the holiday season approaches, the city suddenly comes alive with the magic of Christmas. Streets glow with lights, alleyways display decorations, shopkeepers adorn their shops with trimmings, and trees sparkle with ornaments and lights. People are full of holiday cheer as the aroma of mulled wine and the sound of cheerful carols fill the air. No matter where you look, you know it’s Christmas.

Budapest, Hungary, is home to some of the most incredible Christmas markets in Europe. These charming markets are scattered throughout the city, offering plenty of festive attractions and opportunities to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, each market a little different from the last.

Visitors from around the world flock to these markets, drawn in by the enchanting atmosphere and delicious local Hungarian delicacies which, trust us, are mouth-watering delicious! All of this is why you’ll find some of the best Christmas markets in Europe here in Budapest.

With a number of markets to visit once you enter the city, it’s tough to know what’s what. So, through first-hand experience, we’ve narrowed it down to the top three best Christmas markets to visit on your trip to Budapest. We’ve also included a special bonus fourth as an honourable mention.

Advent Bazilika: the best Christmas market in Europe

Nestled in the heart of Budapest, the Advent Bazilika Christmas market is a dazzling winter wonderland that’s sure to captivate you with its enchanting atmosphere. Voted the Best Christmas Market in Europe for the past four years, if there’s one Christmas market in Budapest you must visit, this is the one.

Set against the backdrop of the stunning St. Stephen’s Basilica, this Christmas market is a feast for the senses. As you stroll through the market, you’ll be greeted by twinkling lights, the scent of sweet and savoury Christmas delicacies and the sounds of festive music. The towering Christmas tree and inviting ice rink at the heart of the market acts as the centrepiece.

Feast, anyone?

Known in English as the ‘Advent Feast at the Basilica’, feast is by far the most appropriate word! This market is full of local Hungarian Christmas food, featuring everything from the famous chimney cakes (kürtőskalács) and mulled wine (forralt bor) to goulash (gulyásleves), cabbage rolls (töltött káposzta), lángos, strudel (rétes), traditional Christmas roll (beigli), Hungarian sausage and freshly smoked salmon. This market seriously has it all. Whether you prefer savoury or sweet, there’s something for everybody.

Apart from these incredible, traditional Hungarian specialties, one of the highlights of the Advent Basilica Christmas Market is its wide array of handcrafted goods. Local artisans showcase their creations, offering everything from intricate ornaments to cozy winter wear. Here, you’ll find a plethora of unique gifts, making it the perfect spot for any holiday shopping you might have. All of these hand-made creations are sold within the most festive log cabins, and with around 150 exhibitors, this truly ads to the ambiance of the market.

A magical wonderland

As night falls, the market transforms into a truly magical spectacle. The façade of St. Stephen’s Basilica is covered in a projection of charming Christmas animations set to music every 30 minutes from 16:30 – 22:00. The beautifully illuminated basilica serves as an impressive background to live performances, including carolers and traditional music that fills the air. The best is to be able to experience the market in both the day and night to get the full effect. It practically feels like you’re experiencing two markets in one.

Whether you’re exploring with loved ones or soaking in the atmosphere on your own, the Advent Basilica Christmas market promises a truly unforgettable experience.

Name: Advent Feast at the Basilica
Address: Budapest, Szent István tér, 1051, Hungary
what3words: ///librarian.packets.respond
Entry: Free
Market Dates: November 15, 2024 – Jan 1, 2025

Vörösmarty Tér: the largest Christmas Fair in Budapest

Less than a ten-minute walk from Advent Bazilika is the Vörösmarty Tér Christmas market. This market is the largest in Budapest and is held in the most famous square of the city, Vörösmarty Square. This is one of the most iconic and popular Christmas markets in Budapest, complete with twinkling lights, beautifully decorated stalls, and all the most delicious local food your stomach can handle.

As soon as you enter the square, you’re immediately taken aback by the massive tree adorned with lights and ornaments. Here, you’re treated to a unique shopping experience beyond any other.

Local handcrafts

Surrounding the large square are rows of cute wooden cottages selling handcrafted, unique gifts made by local artists from all over the country. Porcelain ornaments, intricate lacework, furs, decorations of all kinds, artisanal cheeses and elaborately decorated sweets and treats are just a fraction of what you’ll find here.

Oh, the food!

If it’s your eyes that take you to the shopping, it’s your nose that will take you to the other side of the square. Here, you’ll discover long booths selling all kinds of traditional, local Hungarian Christmas foods. You can enjoy savoury sausages, goulash in a bread bowl, cabbage rolls, fried potato pancakes, pork hock, barbecue ribs, cured pork belly, lamb shank, duck on red cabbage and of course, your mulled wine.

If you’re a meat lover, then this is the place you want to be. One thing Hungary is known for is their incredibly juicy and succulent meat dishes, and here they have them all. The selection of Christmas delicacies is seriously more than you can imagine.

That Christmas feeling

As the evening draws in, the market comes alive with local musical performances and traditional folk dances, adding to the festive ambiance. All kinds of people gather here to enjoy the feeling of Christmas, which completely radiates from the square.

The market at Vörösmarty Tér is larger and more spread out than the Advent Feast at the Basilica. So, if you’re looking for something a little less crowded with more space to walk around, then this is the market for you.

What makes these markets so special, beyond what you can buy, is the mere act of exploring and wandering around, taking in all the sights and smells. You’ll see for yourself, the Christmas market at Vörösmarty Square is truly a sensory extravaganza. It’s no wonder you find the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Name: Budapest Christmas Fair and Winter Festival at Vörösmarty Tér
Address: Budapest, Vörösmarty tér, 1051, Hungary
what3words: ///chilled.flat.incomes
Entry: Free
Market Dates: November 15, 2024 – December 31, 2024

Advent Óbudán: the Christmas market in Old Buda

In the courtyard of Fő Tér in Old Buda, you’ll find one of the smaller, and undoubtedly picturesque, Christmas markets in Budapest. A little off the beaten path compared to some of the other markets, Advent Óbudán is well worth the trip to get there.

A warm welcome

This traditional market is much more quant and less touristy than the larger Christmas markets throughout Budapest. The cobblestone streets, medieval architecture and nearby ancient ruins provide a unique setting to the festive atmosphere of the market.

When you arrive, you’ll walk through a small street with local artisans displaying their unique handicrafts, distinct from the larger markets in the centre of the city. People sell all kinds of mulled wine from charming wooden huts, their warmth and inviting smells whisk through the crisp winter air.

As you finally stroll into Fő Square, you’ll encounter a courtyard fully transformed into a Christmas paradise, aglow with shimmering lights, enriched by an enormous tree that sets the perfect stage for holiday fun. In the centre, an ice rink sparkles, while vendors surround the square, offering a variety of local street food. Meanwhile, at the corner of the square stands a large stage, offering live performances throughout the Christmas season.

The best langos

With Advent Óbudán being located a little further out from the city centre, you’ll find that it has a more local feel to it than the other Christmas markets in Budapest. It’s smaller, but trust us, there’s no less Christmas cheer here. The warm welcome of the local people and the historic atmosphere of the square truly make this market a special one. There’s even a must visit lángos shop just around the corner from here that you cannot miss if you’re in this part of the city.

For us, the local atmosphere and these hidden gems are what we live for. Of all the Budapest Christmas markets you can visit, we highly recommend taking the train for the short trip out to Advent Óbudán. As far as the best Christmas markets in Europe go, this is one you won’t regret visiting!

Name: Advent Óbudán
Address: Budapest, Fő tér, 1033 Hungary
what3words: ///exacts.sung.metals
Entry: Free
Market Dates: December 1-23, 2024

Corvin Sétány Christmas Fair: a truly local experience

Last, but certainly not least, is our honourable mention, the Corvin Sétány Christmas Fair. This little market can be found along Corvin Sétány, within the Corvin neighbourhood in District VIII. Most notably, it’s just outside the large Corvin Plaza shopping mall.

This lovely little local market along the arcade boasts a number of stalls selling handicrafts from artisans in the neighbourhood, as well as delicious local Hungarian Christmas food. Here, you’ll find cured meats, Hungarian sausage, mulled wine, strudel, beigli, chimney cakes, cabbage rolls and of course lángos (our personal favourite).

The best Christmas markets in Europe

The best part about the Christmas season in Budapest is finding all the little markets that pop up around the city. Many of them are local for that specific neighbourhood, so aren’t advertised or well-known. The best way to find them is to do your own exploring and discover them yourself.

One of the benefits to exploring the city for these smaller, less touristy Christmas markets is the price. We tasted the lángos here because, well, we couldn’t resist. It was twice the size and half the price of lángos from the other popular Christmas fairs in Budapest! That’s a definite win-win in our books.

Name: Corvin Sétány Christmas Fair
Address: Budapest, Futó u. 38, 1082, Hungary
what3words: ///polo.announce.evenly
Price:Entry: Free

Tips when exploring the Christmas markets in Budapest

A few last minute tips when visiting Budapest for some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Make sure to wander around the city. You’ll find loads of little, local Christmas markets scattered along the way. These are the true hidden gems during Christmastime.

Explore

Explore the streets around the centre of the city in and around St. Stephen’s Basilica and Vörösmarty Square. Walk along Deák Ferenc utca, also known as Fashion Street by Vörösmarty Square, and Zrinyi utca, which leads away from St. Stephens Basilica. Both streets are full of lights and decorations, as well as a few extra stalls selling all kinds, from sweet and savoury treats to unique gifts.

Truly the best part about this time of year in Budapest, and Europe for that matter, is exploring the streets and getting into the festive spirit. Each street has something new to experience and admire. At this time of year, European cities transform completely, creating something you have to see to believe. So, get out there and roam the streets with no set destination in mind. You’ll be surprised at what you might find.

Cash or Card?

As of writing, most, if not all, of the popular markets do not accept cash; you can only pay by card. This is important to note if you’re visiting from another country. Make sure you have a good credit card or pre-paid travel credit card with no foreign exchange fees. This will make your spending experience a happier one.

Entrance

Lastly, all the Christmas markets listed are free to enter. So, it doesn’t matter what your financial situation is, you’ll be able to experience the magic of these enchanting Budapest Christmas markets no matter what.

The best Christmas markets in Europe are in Budapest

As the city transforms into a festive wonderland filled with charming markets and the most delightful aromas, it’s safe to say that Budapest truly shines during the Christmas season. From the renowned Advent Feast at St. Stephen’s Basilica, to the vibrant Vörösmarty Square Market and the quaint Advent Óbudán, each market offers a unique blend of local Hungarian foods, handcrafted gifts, and holiday cheer. These are amongst the most magical Christmas markets in Europe, and we promise you don’t want to miss them!

As you explore the bustling market squares steeped in centuries of history, discovering hidden gems off the beaten path of course, you’ll find that Budapest is not just a destination at this time of year. It’s a true celebration of the magic of Christmas.

The post Budapest, Hungary: The Best Christmas Markets in Europe appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

Being the capital and largest city in the country, Colombo is full of incredible Sri Lankan food to try. Walk along any local street and you’re sure to find incredible aromas wafting through the air leading to some mouth-watering foods. The problem always is, where do you begin?

This list of the top 10 Sri Lankan foods to eat in Colombo will get you going on your food adventure to try the best foods in the city. Complete with some of the best local shops, by the end of reading, you’ll no longer be wondering what the most popular food from Sri Lanka is. So, let’s dive in and explore the top 10 best foods to eat in Colombo!

Hoppers

Wondering what a typical Sri Lankan breakfast is? You’ve found it!

Some of the most iconic foods in Sri Lanka can be found on the street, especially at breakfast time.

Hoppers are the most typical breakfast in Sri Lankan and can be found everywhere throughout the country. These little pancakes are made from a batter of fermented rice flour, coconut milk, coconut water and sugar. Hoppers are cooked in a small, high sided pan similar to a little wok. The batter is swirled around to cover the pan, causing them to be thin and crispy on the sides, and thick and springy at the bottom.

Hoppers can be enjoyed any number of different ways. You can get them plain, with egg, chicken, whatever other proteins they’re offering, or even sometimes veggies!

One of the most popular hoppers are egg hoppers. A freshly cracked egg is added into the wok and cooked, sometimes kept runny, other times broken all over your hopper as they aggressively swirl the egg in the wok. They’re sprinkled with cracked black pepper and eaten with a spicy sambol that’s served on the side.

These savoury bowl-shaped Sri Lankan pancakes are one of the most traditional Sri Lankan foods found all over the country. As a result, they make for the perfect quick bite, and always at a good price.

Name: Rich Foods Hotel
Address: 115 1st Cross St, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///animated.junior.weary
Price: Rs.150

Kottu Roti

After hoppers, kottu roti is the most famous Sri Lankan food you’ll come across.

This traditional Sri Lankan dish is made of chopped up godamba roti, veggies, egg, spices, curry sauce and your choice of protein. Chicken, cheese, beef and mutton are some of the most popular options to add into your kottu roti. Often times, your kottu is even served with a separate bowl of curry sauce to add extra flavour in as your heart desires.

Kottu roti is like a big, hot carb-filled hug. It’s bursting with spicy curry flavour and just oh-so-comforting because of the massive amount of godamba roti.

Watching this dish get made is just as much fun as eating it. Kottu roti is prepared and cooked on a large, hot iron skillet. The kottu maker wields two large metal blades, chopping and mixing together all the roti, veggies, meat and spices. Each cook creates their own tune with their slicing and chopping, making every kottu you order a different experience.

Kottu rotti is found as a quick street food meal and is one of the most popular foods from Sri Lanka. Luckily enough, due to the banging and clanging required to make the dish, you’ll easily find a kottu shop wherever you go by just listening for it along the street.

Name: Nana’s Chef
Address: Galle Face Green, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///case.rainwater.challenge
Price: Rs.750

Ulundu Vadai

Vade are a popular short eat, meaning small snack, often eaten on the go in Sri Lanka. They’re a fried fritter that can be made in a variety of different ways, shapes and forms.

Ulundu vadai are one of the most popular vade in Colombo. The fritter is made up of ground dhal lentils and spices which are combined to form a batter that’s deep fried.

You’ll usually see them in a doughnut shape, with a nice crispy outside and soft doughy inside.

Oftentimes, they’ll be served with sambar (lentil and vegetable stew) and pol sambal (coconut chutney). Whether you’re having one on the side of a dish or on their own, ulundu vadai are great little savoury donuts for any occasion.

Name: Shri Vani Vilas
Address: 256 & 258 M. J. M. Lafeer Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///loom.sweetener.steers
Price: Rs.145

Idiyappa

Another popular breakfast food throughout Sri Lanka is idiyappa, or string hoppers. This noodle-like dish is made from a dough of rice flour that’s pressed through an idiyappa, a contraption with holes that forms the dough into its noodle shape. The noodles are formed into a nest on a metal mat, then steamed until cooked through.

String hoppers themselves are quite mild in flavour, what really kicks them up a notch are the sides served with them. Coconut sambol, dhal curry and coconut milk curry are some of the most popular and tasty sides to have with your idiyappa.

The key to eating them is to grab your string hopper with your hands and get down and dirty! Dip them into your curry or pour your curry straight on them, the messier the tastier.

Name: Shri Vani Vilas
Address: 256 & 258 M. J. M. Lafeer Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///loom.sweetener.steers
Price: Rs.32

Curd and Treacle

Who can resist fresh, sour yoghurt served in a clay pot?

One of the richest traditional Sri Lankan foods you can find is mee kiri. This buffalo milk cream curd is drizzled with local kithul treacle, a syrup made from liquid jaggery (unrefined cane sugar).

The curd is similar to yoghurt, but extremely creamy, a little bit sour and much lighter. Buffalo milk is the milk of choice for mee kiri. The high fat and protein content of the buffalo milk gives a higher yield of curd, as well as a creamier texture than cow’s milk.

Kithul treacle, on the other hand, is made locally in Sri Lanka from a fairly unrefined sugar called jaggery that’s popular throughout Asia and Africa. This sugar is high in molasses and rich in flavour. The combination of the sweet kithul treacle with the slightly sour buffalo milk yoghurt balances the mee kiri out perfectly.

Apart from the delicious flavour, the best part has to be eating it out of the clay pot that it’s made in. A tradition that is kept to this day. This is a can’t miss Sri Lankan food that you’ve got to try when in Colombo.

Name: Hondahitha – The Curd Shop
Address: 135E Dutugemunu St, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///domain.trying.crunches
Price: Rs.150

Crab

Sri Lanka is known worldwide for its fresh, high quality, local seafood.

A famous food in Colombo is the lagoon mud crab, served in a multitude of different ways for different tastes. The most unique flavours can be found in the Negombo crab curry made with local Singhalese flavours. A combination of ginger, garlic, green chillies, curry leaves, cloves, cardamon and the famous Ceylon cinnamon is used. These incredible spices are fried up with coconut milk and veggies.

Rich, spicy, and incredibly flavourful, the Negombo crab curry is a curry unlike any other. Add in the succulent lagoon crab and it’s a flavour explosion.

Name: Culture Colombo
Address: 25 Kensington Garden, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///recording.observers.majors
Price: Rs.2,250

Isso Vade

Isso vade is an iconic street food that’s purely unique to Colombo. It’s recognized as a bright orange lentil fritter that’s beautifully topped with shrimp or prawns. This is the ultimate local street food snack to have in Colombo.

While you’re there, you have to try the kakuluwo vade to go with it. A crunchy and savoury soft shell crab fritter that’s no less tasty and just as orange. Do yourself a favour and get a few of each.

The best place to enjoy this savoury street food? Galle Face Green just as the sun is setting.

Arrive before sundown and you’ll slowly see dozens of vendors setting up their isso vade carts. Tell the seller which ones you want and how many, and they’ll re-fry them up in hot oil for you. They’ll be served to you on paper, slathered with curry sauce and onions. You might need some extra napkins because these can get messy!

Isso vade are the perfect kind of snack to enjoy in the evening, surrounded by locals enjoying the sea breeze and taking in the gorgeous sun setting over the ocean. As one of the most famous foods in Colombo, this is a can’t miss experience.

Name: Galle Face Green Isso Vade Vendor
Address: Galle Face Green, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///tadpoles.examiner.hostels
Price: Rs.100-250

Lamprais

Lamprais is a very traditional and authentic Sri Lankan recipe that you won’t find on just any restaurant’s menu. The recipe is quite labour intensive and first made by Burghers, descendants of Dutch colonials.

The dish involves a main meat and some flavourful accompanying sides. Lamprais usually consists of a combination of boiled eggs, eggplant, meat curry, frikkadels, seeni sambol and even a short eat or two, such as vade. The star of lamprais is by far the spiced rice. It’s boiled in a spiced stock that imparts incredible flavours of cinnamon, cardamon and other spices.

Everything that goes into the dish is first cooked separately. Finally, all the rice, curries and sides are wrapped together in a banana leaf and slowly baked.

No two recipes for lamprais are the same. So, each time you order from somewhere new, what you find inside will always be a pleasant surprise. It’s like unwrapping a delicious present every time!

Name: Green Cabin
Address: No 88 Chatham St, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///inspects.enrolling.proudest
Price: Rs.930

Hot Butter Cuttlefish

Sri Lankan cuisine has evolved over the centuries, with influences from many different cultures over the years. As much of the rest of the world, it hasn’t escaped the rich inclusion of Chinese cuisine into its own.

One such flavourful Sri Lankan food born out of this fusion is hot butter cuttlefish (HBC). Oh yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like!

First, freshly prepared cuttlefish is seasoned, battered and deep fried. In the meantime, a Chinese inspired chilli paste infused with butter is cooked in a wok with shrimp paste. Last, the cuttlefish is thrown into the wok and tossed in the paste along with onion, carrots, chillies, and a decent helping of black sesame seeds. The result is a richly spicy dish, full of intense flavour and crispy cuttlefish goodness.

With Sri Lanka being an island country surrounded by ocean, there’s an abundance of seafood to be eaten and enjoyed. The use of cuttlefish in such a dish is a perfect example of the complexity and variety of Sri Lanka cuisine.

Name: House Vandervort
Address: 14 Windsor Ave, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///politics.blackbird.isolating
Price: Rs.1,290

Falooda

Falooda is a popular dessert drink in Sri Lanka, and a very unique one at that! Sri Lankan rose syrup is layered with milk, ice cream, basil seeds, jelly, and sometimes even vermicelli.

The flavours sound interesting to say the least, but take our word for it, it’s tasty. Falooda is light and refreshing on a hot Sri Lankan day. Even the addition of basil seeds gives it a nice crunchy texture as you sip through the layers. The rose syrup does make it taste very floral, so if you aren’t someone who likes flowery flavours, this one may not be for you.

Name: Juice Station
Address: 258 Main Street, Colombo, Sri Lanka
what3words: ///yarn.finalists.fixture
Price: Rs.250

The incredible Sri Lankan food of Colombo

The variety of foods to eat in Colombo, Sri Lanka is out of this world. Take a walk along any street and you’ll uncover numerous places selling fresh cooked foods waiting to be tasted. As with any country, the best way to taste your way through Colombo is to wander and explore. Some of our best meals have been found when we were least expecting it.

Maybe you’ll even find a few hidden gems while heading to one of the places we’ve suggested. If so, make sure to let us know! We’re always on the lookout for tasty new spots selling the best Sri Lankan food.

We hope this list of the top 10 foods to eat in Colombo will get you going on your own food adventure around the city. Enjoy and happy eating!

The post Top 10 Sri Lankan Foods to Eat in Colombo appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

If you’re looking to add some incredibly yummy street food to your list of best foods to eat in Manila, then make sure these are at the top! Their kuchay (chive) dumplings are so delicious, they’ll have you fighting over the last one.

The historic district of Binondo

The Binondo neighbourhood of Manila is famed for being the oldest Chinatown in the world. Founded in 1594, this district has undergone many changes throughout the years. From small Chinese settlement to the centre of commerce and trade of Manila, one thing’s endured; the incredible street food that Binondo is known for.

The dumplings that originated in Dong Bei

About 20 years ago, a family moved from Dong Bei in northeastern China to Manila. In hopes of having a taste of home, they opened up a small shop selling what they knew how to make best, pork and chive dumplings.

Their plan was to have a small business sharing this local, traditional food with their community.

To their pleasant surprise, the chive and pork dumplings were a hit! Before long, their homemade and authentic dumplings became one of the most famous dumplings in Binondo.

Now, Dong Bei Dumpling is on every Manila street food tour and Binondo food trip list out there.

Full transparency of freshness

In China, it’s common for food to be made in the front of the shop, so that you can see the ingredients that are going into the food. Keeping with tradition, this is something Dong Bei Dumpling has implemented from the start. They make their dumplings by hand in a traditional way, fresh to order and with local ingredients.

How the best dumplings in Binondo are made

It all starts with a mixture of pork, onion and plenty of chives (kuchay). This is then generously packed inside a piece of circular, thin dough and sealed along one edge. The now chubby dumplings are immediately dropped into boiling water and left until they float to the top. With dumplings this fresh, they only take a few minutes to cook.

The secret, however, is adding in the pork mixture raw. This allows the meat to cook as it boils, releasing flavourful juices that are trapped inside the skin. The result is a dumpling so tasty and juicy, it practically melts in your mouth! If you’ve ever had a soup dumpling, you know what we’re talking about.

It’s time to eat, here comes the sauce

The dumplings are served with a delicious homemade sauce of garlic, vinegar and soy sauce. For those of you with taste buds that need an added kick, there’s also homemade chilli sauce on the side to bang them up a notch. Speaking from experience, you won’t need much of this to spice up your dumplings!

At the time of writing, there’s no area inside the shop to sit and eat. So, the best way to enjoy your dumplings is right there on the street.

What makes Dong Bei dumplings so special?

What has set Dong Bei Dumpling apart from competition over the years, is that the dumplings are made fresh to order with quality ingredients. Because of this, the dumpling is more delicate, the skin lighter and the meat juicier. Not to mention they’ve stuck to the same simple, delicious, authentic recipe that’s brought their customers back over and over again.

How to get there

Dong Bei Dumpling is located in the Binondo, Chinatown area of Manila, west of the Estero de la Reina. If you’re arriving from the east of Binondo, once you find Ongpin Street you’ll be at the heart of the neighbourhood.

Following Ongpin Street west across the Estero de la Reina bridge, you’ll come across Yuchengco Street, right after the ‘Shoppers’ Mart’ grocery store. Turn right on Yuchengco Street and follow the road almost to the end. Here, on the right, you’ll find Dong Bei Dumpling.

There’s no big fancy sign on the top of the shop, however, just a sign in the window as you walk by. This little establishment has kept itself humble despite its fame over the years, so if you don’t pay attention, you might walk right past it! Luckily, there will most likely be other hungry pedestrians looking for their dumpling fix, so follow the line of ravenous customers.

The best dumplings in Binondo

Eating at Dong Bei Dumpling is a must if you’re in the Binondo neighbourhood of Manila. No food trip in the city is complete without them. From the freshness of each dumpling to the quality ingredients used to make them, this is a place you can’t miss.

Name: Dong Bei Dumpling
Address: 642 Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila
what3words: ///gossip.sugars.outdoor
Price: ₱200/order (14 dumplings)

The post Dong Bei Dumpling: the Best Dumplings in Binondo, Manila appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

Moroccan snail soup, good for the body

Babbouche snails are served in a bowl with a spiced broth made up of over 12 spices. Amongst them you’ll find licorice root, aniseed, thyme, chilli, lavender, mustard seed, bitter orange peel and tea leaves.

Not just tasty but also healthy, these spices are very good for the body. You’ll never forget this mind you, as the vendor will love to remind you of all the healing powers of this herbal soup.

A steaming bowl of spiced snails

Once you’ve been served your bowl of fresh Moroccan snail soup with an extra side of broth, you’ll be ready to eat.

This is the fun part.

You’ll be given a toothpick as your eating utensil. Its purpose?

To pluck your snails out with it, of course!

It’s by far the easiest way to eat them, and becomes a bit of game to see who has the largest snail.

Each meaty snail is washed down with a large gulp of spiced broth. Moroccan snail soup is perfectly balanced, with a nice warm after-burn from the ginger.

Where to find babbouche in Morocco

Moroccan snail soup is commonly found in the medinas of Morocco. In Fes, the maze of alleyways that is the medina will have a few babbouche stalls around. These are unmistakable by the huge nets of snails hanging on the wall behind them.

The stall we visited is not far from the main entrance to the medina. Lucky for you, whether you happen to arrive or leave this way, you’ll be able to get a taste of these local spiced snails.

Name: Babbouche Snail Cart
Address: Fès Médina
what3words: ///starting.jams.task
Price: 20Dhs

The post Are You Brave Enough for Babbouche, Moroccan Snail Soup? appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

In Budapest there are loads of places that do a mean lángos (pronounced lan-go-sh). We’re here to tell you the best place for lángos in the city is at Krumplis Lángos. This hole-in-the-wall shop is a local favourite, meaning great taste and quality ingredients made with love.

What is lángos?

Lángos is quite possibly the most popular Hungarian street food. If there’s one Hungarian food you need to eat when you visit Budapest, it’s lángos.

Lángos is best described as deep-fried dough, similar to a Canadian beaver tail, except savoury. Proofed balls of dough are stretched into discs and fried in oil until golden brown. Crispy on both sides and soft and light on the inside, lángos is the ultimate Hungarian comfort food!

The dough itself is very simple, made of milk, flour, yeast, salt and sugar. Some places even add potato to their dough for a different texture, and Krumplis Lángos is one of them. The Hungarian word for ‘potato’ is krumplis, leading to their name!

You’ve gotta have toppings!

Lángos is served with a variety of different toppings, with the most traditional and popular being sajtos-tejfölös (garlic sauce, sour cream and grated cheese). This is the preferred choice with Hungarians. It sounds a bit strange at first, especially since the cheese is cold and not melted, but trust us, it’s the perfect flavour combo.

It’s important to note that they’re traditionally brushed with a slathering of strong, fiery garlic (fokhagyma) mixed with oil, so you’ll need to specify whether you want it with or without this, depending on your tastes. You definitely want it though!

Served to you straight out of the bubbling oil, they’re best eaten hot when they’re at their freshest.

The best lángos means exceptional quality with affordable prices

The price of lángos within the main city centre of Budapest is expensive. Within this area you’ll be paying anywhere from 1500-2500Ft ($4.30-$7.20USD) for the most popular lángos, sajtos-tejfölös. This is pricey considering lángos is traditionally known for being an affordably priced quick snack.

The prices at Krumplis Lángos represent more of a local price, not one that’s been inflated by the high prices of the touristy areas.

Lángos here range in price from 650-1050Ft ($1.80-$3.00USD), with many options to choose from. The cheapest option is your plain sima lángos, with or without garlic, coming in at 650Ft. The most popular sajtos-tejfölös (cheese and sour cream) for 920Ft, and the most expensive sajt-tejföl-bacon-hagyma (sour cream, cheese, bacon and onion) for 1050Ft. The latter is absolutely covered with ingredients and cheaper than the sajtos-tejfölös served at most other shops in the city centre.

Not only is the price definitely right, but the quality that you get for what you pay is beyond anything you’ll find in the city. This is truly where to eat the best lángos in Budapest. The size of them alone is one of the biggest, and the friendly ladies who run the shop are extremely generous with the toppings.

How many different lángos are there to choose from?

Okay, so we’ve covered cost and quality. Now it’s time to talk about variety and all the delicious tastes and flavours of this popular Hungarian food.

There’s more variety here than you’ll see at many other places throughout the city. With 14 different kinds of lángos to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Another reason why this is where you can eat the best lángos in Budapest.

As we mentioned above, they start out with your ‘plain jane’ sima lángos and work their way up, adding toppings as you go down the left side of the menu. The mid-range lángos are your one topping options of just tejfölös (sour cream), sajtos (cheese), or sonkás (ham).

The second half of the menu is where things really pick up!

You’ve got your most popular lángos, which is the sajtos-tejfölös (garlic, cheese and sour cream). There’s every combination you can make out of ham, cheese, and sour cream, all the way down to the most covered in toppings… The pièce de resistance, the sajt-tejföl-bacon-hagyma aka garlic, cheese, sour cream, bacon and red onion.

Which ones we tried

We tried two different lángos off the menu on our multiple trips to Krumplis Lángos, and we highly recommend them both.

The classic sajtos-tejfölös is deliciously flavourful and an absolute must. Creamy, cheesy and garlicky all on top of the crispy fried bread, stomach officially grumbling.

Our number one go to, however, became the fully loaded sajt-tejföl-bacon-hagyma. Now this one, this one was truly special and will leave you with the best breath you’ve ever had!

There’s something about the crispy soft bread, spicy garlic, velvety sour cream, salty bacon, savoury cheese and crunchy raw red onion that just completely works as a fusion of texture and flavour. Okay, now we’re drooling!

The vibe

It’s a quick grab and go affair here. There’s no tables and chairs to sit and eat, but a bar where you can stand and devour your lángos. To be honest, when indulging in something like this, sometimes it feels better to stand and eat. They’re so good it won’t last long anyways!

If you do want to sit down and enjoy your lángos, however, the park just outside of the underpass has some seating.

Location of this must visit spot

Krumplis Lángos is located in one of the most unassuming and unsuspecting places. Found almost underground in an underpass, it’s not quite where you’d imagine to eat the best lángos in Budapest. Mind you, it’s in these off the beaten path places like underpasses and down small alleys where you find the best lángos. Either way, this is exactly where you want to be.

The location itself is a little far from the centre of downtown Budapest, but extremely easy to get to. Public transport is so prolific in the city, and Krumplis Lángos itself is along multiple train, tram and bus lines. So, wherever you’re coming from in the city, you’ll have no trouble getting here.

How to get to Krumplis Lángos

Budapest is divided into districts, and you’ll find Krumplis Lángos in District III, also known as Óbuda.

From Pest side

From the centre of downtown Budapest at Deák Ferenc tér, the best way to get to Krumplis Lángos is to take the M3 (blue) subway towards Újpest-Központ.

Hop on at Deák Ferenc tér station and head to Göncz Árpád városközpont. Disembark here and make your way above ground to the eastern side of the intersection. Take the 1/1A Tram from Göncz Árpád városközpont M towards Bécsi út/Vörösvári út, disembarking at Flórián tér.

Since almost all the Metro (subway) lines cross the 1/1A tram line, you can easily get to Krumplis Lángos from all areas of the city, no matter where you start out from.

When you come from Flórián tér, it’s a bit more of a direct, less scenic route than from the Buda side.

You’ll get off at the Flórián tér tram station, and on the north side of the street you’ll see a large mall called ‘Flórián’. Cross the road in the direction of the mall, past some interesting Roman ruins. Then, head down below the street into the underpass on your right, you’ll see the sign for Flórián tér. As you enter the underpass, you’ll see Krumplis Lángos directly to your right, about fifty metres or so down.

From Buda side

If coming from the Buda side after exploring the castle, take the H5 from Batthyány tér towards Békásmegyer/Szentendre (it’s the first stop on the H5 line so it can only go in one direction). Be aware that Batthyány tér station is underground and the H5 is a proper train, so don’t be alarmed that it’s not a metro car. Disembark when you reach Szentlélek tér.

Once you arrive at Szentlélek tér, you’ll disembark and head northwest past Vasarely Museum and through Fő tér. The quaint square of Fő tér is surrounded by beautiful old buildings and is a sight in itself. You’ll probably want to take a moment to snap a few pics. As you exit the square from the northwest corner, you’ll continue along Kórház Street, past local apartments, until you stumble upon a large road overpass.

As you see the overpass come into sight, the only way to cross it is underground. You’ll take the stairs that lead down below the road and turn left. The underpass is quite long, so continue until about half way down and boom, you’ll come upon Krumplis Lángos on your left.

Luckily, it’s not hard to miss when coming from either direction. There’ll most likely be a queue of people looking for their fill of steamy hot lángos, just like you.

Getting around while in Budapest

Public transport in Budapest is extremely convenient and affordable. Depending on how long you’ll stay and how you plan to spend your days, the Monthly Budapest-pass is the way to go. It works on every form of transport in the city; bus, tram, trolley, train and metro.

We found it super convenient because you can take any form of transit without having to worry about tickets, fumbling with money, or how often you want to use transit throughout the day.

Budapest itself is extremely easy to get around because there’s transit pretty much everywhere you could possibly want to go. It’s one of the most accessible cities we’ve ever been to in terms of all the different modes of transit and how far they reach.

Below is a list of transit prices so that you can make the most informed decision based on the length of your trip and needs while in Budapest:

• Single ticket (valid for one ride) 350 HUF
• 24-hour Budapest-travelcard 2 500 HUF
• 72-hour Budapest-travelcard 5 500 HUF
• 15-day Budapest-pass 6 300 HUF
• Monthly Budapest-pass 9 500 HUF

Check out the official ‘BKK’ Budapest transit website for more info.

The best lángos in Budapest is at Krumplis Lángos

Recommended by locals, the mouth-watering lángos at Krumplis Lángos is one of the top places to get lángos in Budapest. Nothing beats the taste of their freshly made lángos, covered in spicy garlic, smooth sour cream and salty cheese. Yum!

So, if you’re looking for an affordable, local, delicious lángos made with quality ingredients, you’re gonna want to head to Krumplis Lángos. This is the place to eat the best lángos in Budapest by a long shot, the most popular Hungarian street food.

Name: Krumplis Lángos (LÁNGOSOS – Flórián tér aluljáró)
Address: Budapest Aluljáró szint, Flórián tér 1, 1033, Hungary
what3words: ///backward.runner.bunks
Price: 650-1050Ft

The post Where to Eat the Best Lángos in Budapest appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

This lively and historic district was set up across the river from Intramuros district back in the 16^th century, where all the wealthy colonial Spaniards resided at the time. This permanent settlement for the Chinese immigrants flourished, causing it to become the centre of commerce and trade in Manila by the 20^th century.

Chinatowns are known for being a hot spot of culture, commerce, and most especially food! Many things have changed over the years in here in Binondo. One thing that’s remained is that the locals know how to do street food right.

Enough chit chat! Ready to plan your own historic street food adventure through the oldest Chinatown in the world? Here’s your top 6 street foods to eat in Binondo Chinatown, Manila.

Fried Siopao

Siopao are a popular Chinese-influenced Filipino steamed bun, and the ones at Shanghai Fried Siopao in Binondo are worth the trip alone. The slightly sweet, fluffy buns are packed to the brim, full of tender ground pork, onion and chives. Once steamed, the cooked meat and veggies create an incredibly juicy bao.

What makes the ones here at Shanghai Fried Siopao extra tasty and unique is that they’re steamed in oil. They end up coming out slightly fried and crispy on the bottom, while still pillowy, soft and extremely juicy throughout.

Quite different from your typical steamed bun, we had to try two just to be sure of how good they were.

Made and cooked in their small shop right along the busy Ongpin Street, these fried siopao have been a staple of Chinatown for many years. The siopao are bought up as soon as they come out of the steamer, satisfying the line-up of hungry customers. So, whenever you stop by, you’re guaranteed to get one that’s piping hot and fresh.

Name: Shanghai Fried Siopao
Address: 828 Ongpin St, Santa Cruz, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
what3words: ///sour.lost.trucked
Price: ₱35

Kuchay Ah Pie

Next up on the list is kuchay ah pie, a fried pastry that looks similar to an empanada. They get their name from the prominent flavour of chives, which is kuchay in Filipino.

These little meat pies are made of a flaky pastry that’s so rich it’s almost buttery, and because they’re fried and not baked, they’re extra crispy. The pie is stuffed full of pork, tofu, chives, turnips and carrots, married in a savoury yet slightly sweet gravy.

We couldn’t believe how heavy and packed full they were. So much so they resembled more of a ball than a pie!

The best place to try these is at Quik Snack. They do a number of different Chinese-Filipino dishes here, but they’re especially known for their pies, with the kuchay ah being their number one.

Name: Quik Snack
Address: HXXG+R5X, Carvajal St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
what3words: ///shut.pretty.infuses
Price: ₱65

Pork and Chive Dumplings

An absolute must eat street food in Binondo Chinatown is the pork and chive dumplings at Dong Bei Dumpling.

Thin dumpling skin is loaded with a mixture of pork, onions and plenty of chives. Immediately after being made by hand, they’re boiled until they float. The dumplings come out so full of flavour and juicy, they literally melt in your mouth. So much so they boarder on soup dumplings!

They’re served with a special homemade garlic-vinegar-soy sauce mixture, with a spicy chilli sauce on the side for an added kick. This is some spicy sauce, so if you like your tongue on fire, we highly recommend it.

What sets Dong Bei apart is that the dumplings here are made fresh to order with quality ingredients. You won’t find anything frozen around here, and as far as we’re concerned, it really doesn’t get any better than that.

Name: Dong Bei Dumpling
Address: 642 Yuchengco St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
what3words: ///gossip.sugars.outdoor
Price: ₱200/order (14 dumplings)

Hand Pulled Noodles

This delicious looking bowl of fresh hand pulled noodles can be found at a fantastic place just on the outskirts of Binondo. At Lan Zhou La Mian, they pull their noodles fresh to order, right at the front of the shop so you can see the chefs in action as they prepare your meal.

We don’t know about you, but hand pulled noodles always hit that little bit different for us. Dunked in boiling hot water, they only take 15 seconds to cook. The freshness can be tasted in the texture of the noodles, which are just that bit firmer and chewier than others.

There’s a number of different noodle soups to choose from, but we recommend the beef lamien. Full of tender beef, bok choy, scallions and carrots in a hearty, beefy broth, you won’t believe how generous they are with the noodles!

Each table is ready to go with a massive bowl of scallions and sauces for you to add, dependant on your tastes.

Name: 兰州拉面 Lan Zhou La Mian
Address: 1356 Masangkay St, 262 Zone 24 Tondo, Manila, Philippines
what3words: ///memory.shams.penny
Price: ₱280

Hopia

These little pucks are hopia, one of the most popular pastries found throughout Binondo.

This traditional pastry is full of thick mung bean paste inside a thin pastry shell. The soft textured pastry can be flavoured with a number of different tastes, but the local favourite is ube, purple yam.

Eng Bee Tin opened up in 1912 and were the first to introduce ube jam into the traditional hopia in the 1980’s, as a way to revitalise a once dying business. The vibrant purple colour stood out amongst all the others, bringing them to fame in no time. Now with multiple stores throughout Binondo, tasting their hopia and Chinese-Filipino pastries is a must.

We decided to the best way to taste hopia was to go for both the original and ube.

The ube has a distinct sweet jam taste to it that’s perfect if you have a sweet tooth. If you’re not a massive sweet fan, then go for the original. Nice and pasty, these taste more like a sweet white bean than anything else. The hopia come in packs of four, which is a pretty good deal for what you pay for.

Many shops around Binondo sell hopia, so have a wander around if you want to taste the different ones of this historic Chinatown.

Name: Eng Bee Tin
Address: 628 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
what3words: ///senses.minder.solder
Price: ₱50-56

Ube Bubble Milk Tea

When exploring Binondo in Manila, you’ll definitely need to cool down at some point, trust us!

We love a good bubble tea, and luckily right next door to Eng Bee Tin (the flagship location) is where you can find the best ube bubble milk tea.

With a taste similar to taro, their ube milk tea is creamy, cold and mildly sweet with a strong ube flavour that’s oh so refreshing. Not to mention the tapioca pearls are fresh, chewy and delicious. You’re gonna find it hard to resist anything ube flavoured from now on! It’s definitely become our new go-to favourite.

Name: Tea Brothers
Address: 628 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
what3words: ///they.evolving.chambers
Price: ₱95

Some of the best street food to eat in Manila can be found in Binondo Chinatown. As the oldest Chinatown in the world, you’ll find loads of popular Chinese-Filipino foods as you wander the streets of Ongpin and the Binondo neighbourhood.

We hope this list of the top 6 street foods to eat in Binondo Chinatown, Manila will get you well on your way to trying some of the best Filipino food in Manila.

Check out our video below trying the top 6 street foods to eat in Binondo Chinatown, Manila.

The post Top 6 Street Foods to Eat in Binondo Chinatown, Manila appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

So, what food is Trabzon famous for? The Black Sea Region is home to some incredible, unique foods. If you ask any local what the top two traditional foods of Trabzon are, you’ll be met with kuymak and hamsi. The first is a buttery cheesy cornmeal ‘fondue’ (yes please!), and the latter their Black Sea anchovy. When in Trabzon, these dishes are must eats!

Trabzon Kuymak is the ultimate high-calorie breakfast of the Black Sea

Imagine hot, melty, buttery cheese that stretches as far as your arm can reach, this my friend, is Trabzon kuymak. Made with three simple ingredients, cheese, butter, and cornmeal. Kuymak is a traditional food of Trabzon. It was invented as a high-calorie breakfast by harvesters working in the hazelnut fields. As a result, it’s usually eaten as a breakfast food. But, as far as we’re concerned, something this indulgent and cheesy could be eaten any time of the day.

Kuymak is served with fresh Turkish ekmek (bread). This is to pile on the cheese, and dip in the pool of butter left behind at the end of the dish. Black Sea Cuisine is very rich and full of butter, and Trabzon kuymak does not disappoint. It’s hard not to drool while typing…

Where to eat the cheesiest, gooiest kuymak in Trabzon

There are different ‘versions’ of kuymak found across the Black Sea Region. The main diference being the ratio of cheese, butter and cornmeal used. One of the best places to try kuymak is at Cemilusta in the main town square of Trabzon city. Here, they do an amazing kuymak with the perfect amount of all three ingredients to get the most wonderful stringy cheese consistency. Let’s put it this way, it was so good we debated a second!

Name: Cemilusta
Address: İskenderpaşa, Belediye Caddesi., Atatürk Alanı No:6, 61100 Trabzon
what3words: ///giggled.combines.awoken
Price: 60TL

For a bit more of a local experience, there’s a wonderful place tucked away inside a building just off the main street of town. With its own private courtyard, you can enjoy an amazing kuymak en plein air, or inside one of its cozy rooms below.

Name: Vosporos Café
Address: Gazipaşa, Yavuz Selim Blv. No:40, 61030 Trabzon
what3words: ///marriage.front.brands
Price: 40TL

Black Sea Cuisine straight from the Black Sea itself

Hamsi, which is Turkish for anchovy, is a famous traditional food of Trabzon. It’s found abundantly in the Black Sea Region and is very culturally significant. In fact, there are poems, folk songs, and stories all about it since it’s been a major staple of Black Sea cuisine for millennia. No wonder it’s dubbed the ‘prince of fish’! Hamsi, and fish in general, are so popular in the Black Sea Region that they’re actually consumed more than meat.

You see this as you walk through the streets of town and in any of the little local markets. Stall after stall selling an unending amount of fresh fish caught in the Black Sea that morning. Each stall home to the friendliest fishmongers I think we’ve ever come across. Nothing but smiles and warm faces greet you as you wander through.

Naturally, any visit to the Black Sea Region isn’t complete without trying the famous hamsi. The most popular way to do so is fried. The fresh hamsi are dipped in cornmeal and fried up in the most beautiful circular display. They’re served up perfectly crispy and decadently rich, on a plate in their own oil. Since they’re a small fish, the portion you receive is decent in size! Hamsi tava, or fried anchovy, are an extremely traditional food in Trabzon that you must try when in the Black Sea Region.

Where to get the freshest, crispiest, plumpest hamsi in Trabzon

The markets and stalls that are all over Trabzon sell freshly caught hamsi to take home to cook your own meals. The best way to have it though – in our opinion – is to go out to one of the many restaurants in the city. They will all have their catch of the day out on display and ready for your choosing.

Our first choice is Balıklama Balık Lokantası. Just pick what fish you’d like, hamsi and the rest, and have it cooked up, fresh to order. There’s really nothing like it!

While you’re there, we highly recommend trying their fish soup. Don’t worry, they’ll remind you to try it since it’s so popular. Massive chunks of fish are served in a mildly sour, light yellow broth that’s super hearty and warms you from the inside out. Make sure you squeeze some lemon juice into it to give it a nice acidic zing.

Name: Balıklama Balık Lokantası
Address: İskenderpaşa, Şht. İbrahim Karaoğlanoğlu Cd. 15/A, 61100 Trabzon
what3words: ///paddle.master.shells
Price: 75TL

Check out our video below, trying both kuymak and hamsi tava at some of the best restaurants in Trabzon.

The post Traditional Foods of Trabzon: Gooey Kuymak and Black Sea Hamsi appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

The most important meal of the day is not taken lightly in Turkey

Kahvalti is a traditional Turkish breakfast consisting of an unbelievable spread of small plates of food. All of this is meant to be shared with friends and family. Starting with fresh salty white cheeses, olives and eggs. Leading into sweet clotted cream, honey, preserves, spreads, and fresh bread. It’s a gathering full of so many delicious dishes that you’ll be looking forward to it the night before. No matter how modest the table, you can be sure to find it full of all the kahvalti staples.

Where to go for the best breakfast in Istanbul

With our new found knowledge, we set out to try the best traditional Turkish breakfast we could find. One of the more well-known places to visit is Van Kahvalti Evi. We wanted to try it out to see if it lived up to its reputation… and did it ever! If you find yourself in Istanbul looking for an authentic Turkish breakfast, then this restaurant has to make it onto your ‘must try’ list. It’s definitely the best place in Istanbul to try kahvalti, and we’ll show you why.

When to go to beat the crowds

With Van Kahvalti Evi being such a popular spot, it can get crazy busy on weekends. The busiest is mid-day, when a queue of hungry Istanbulites and tourists can be found lining the street. If you don’t feel like lining up with the rest of the city, then we highly recommend visiting during the week. We visited on a weekday about 1:00pm and had no issue finding a table.

What to order to get the full experience

The full kahvalti breakfast has two set menu options. Either of them must be ordered for at least two people, so make sure to bring your best eating buddy with you.

Of the two options, the more expensive “Serpme Van Kahvalti” was our go to choice. This option has the most variety of dishes to get the full experience. Not to mention the unlimited tea (more on that later), we figured you gotta go big or go home.

The freshest food, made in-house that morning

What makes Van Kahvalti Evi so special is that all of the food is made in-house, some of it even that morning. The Serpme Van Kahvalti comes complete with a plate full of fresh cheese, olives both green and black, eggs two different ways, fresh vegetables, honey and cream. With spreads, preserves, dips and jams, all ready to be eaten with your basket of freshly baked bread. This is the ultimate traditional Turkish breakfast.

The variety of fresh white Turkish cheeses are something to write home about. Consisting of a white brine cheese, braided cheese, string cheese, and an extra special sheep’s cheese that the restaurant calls Ottu Van Peyniri.

Made in-house, Ottu Van Peyniri is a herbed sheep cheese. It’s super sharp and full of flavour from the wild herbs that are used to make it. In English, it can be referred to as Van cheese. This name refers to both the region of eastern Turkey that this type of cheese originates, and the restaurant itself.

The ultimate treasure here, however, has got to be the kaymak. If you haven’t tried kaymak before, you must! It’s somewhat akin to clotted cream, except it’s made from buffalo milk and is a sure-fire way to put a smile on your face.

Here, it’s made fresh every morning and is served as a slice because it’s so thick. Take some on your fork or with piece of bread baked in-house, with a decent helping of fresh thick honey, and you’ll be beaming from ear to ear.

Did someone say, unlimited tea?!

What sets the “Serpme Van Kahvalti” apart, including the extra menu items, is the unlimited tea. Any meal in Turkey is not complete without a hot glass of tea, or çay, and breakfast is most certainly no exception. Breakfast must be served with plenty of freshly brewed black tea. Here, you can be sure to have a new glass brought to you as soon as your last has been downed.

Amazing hospitality and a friendly experience

From the moment you arrive till you walk out the door, the hospitality at Van Kahvalti Evi is incomparable. The amazing people working here are full of information about all the different dishes. They’re extremely attentive if you needed anything, especially a fresh glass of çay! In fact, we wouldn’t suggest this as the best breakfast in Istanbul for any less.

Kahvalti is not just a meal, but a whole experience

A traditional Turkish kahvalti is not just a meal, but a whole experience unto itself. Something that must be shared over great company and conversation.

At Van Kahvalti Evi, the combination of amazing food made fresh in-house, with wonderful service and hospitality, make their traditional kahvalti an unforgettable experience. If you’re looking for a true traditional Turkish breakfast, that goes beyond just the food, then Van Kahvalti Evi is the place for you.

Name: Van Kahvaltı Evi
Address: Kılıçali Paşa, Defterdar Ykş. 52/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
what3words: ///circular.longer.finger
Price: 100TL/person

The post Traditional Turkish Breakfast: The Best Breakfast in Istanbul appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

The Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur began development in 1870 and Petaling Street itself was one of the earliest roads to be built. The area was mostly Cantonese and Hakka who came to the city for the tin trade. With their skills, they brought their incredibly diverse cooking styles and unique flavours.

Petaling Street is now home to temples, shopping, and hawker stalls serving up the top street foods in Kuala Lumpur. A number of these street food stalls have been around for over 50 years and are onto not the first or second, but third generation of family looking after the business. The quality of ingredients and history that goes into these dishes is incredible.

So, let’s get to it! Below is a list of the top 11 street foods to eat on your next visit to Petaling Street Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur.

Roast Duck

The crispiest, juiciest, most tender roast duck in Chinatown is at Sze Ngan Chye. This famous street food cart is run by two sisters that took over from their father, who started the business over 70 years ago. After all this time they still provide the same great taste and quality that he always did.

Sze Ngan Chye means the man who wears spectacles. It got its name from their father who would sell his duck on Petaling Street wearing his unmistakable glasses. With no name for his cart, the nickname just stuck!

We’ve gotta say, they sure know how to roast a duck. Perfectly cooked, juicy and tender with just the right amount of salt… we almost wished we had gotten a full duck and not the half!! Depending on your hunger you’ve got choice, RM34 for half a duck, or RM68 for the whole one. Don’t worry, we won’t judge.

The two sisters start selling their fresh roast duck at 6:00am, and because of their popularity can sell out by noon. So, make sure you head to their stall first, nice and early, to make sure you get some tasty duck.

Name: Sze Ngan Chye
Address: 46, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///usual.singles.gave
Price: RM34 half duck, RM68 whole duck

Muah Chee

Madam Tang Muah Chee Queen (as she is called), has been selling muah chee from her cart on Petaling Street for over 50 years. She’s become a permanent fixture along the busy street, making her stall a must try when in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur.

Soft, chewy and bursting with flavour, these little muah chee pack a punch! Coming in six different flavours, we couldn’t resist the black sesame and mango. Both were delicious and with a surprisingly intense, strong flavour that you can pick out at first bite.

If those flavours aren’t your thing, don’t worry, there’s also lychee, ribena, pandan and original to choose from. Each piece is bathed in crushed peanuts, adding the perfect crunchy texture to the soft and chewy muah chee.

Name: Madam Tang Muah Chee Queen
Address: 42, Jalan Hang Lekir, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///abacus.slimy.poker
Price: RM6/box

Congee

This salty bowl of porridge goodness is congee, a popular Chinese street food of savoury rice porridge with delicious pork, century egg, and green onions. At Hon Kee Petaling Street you have a few different congee options to choose from, including salted egg and pork, crispy innards, pork ball, and raw fish.

Served piping hot, you mustn’t forget the white pepper. It adds the perfect seasoning to the dish to make it mouth-wateringly good.

As with so many of the delicious food choices along Petaling Street, this humble stall began business in 1949 and is still going strong. Spanning three generations and counting, this is one of the top street foods to eat in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.

Name: Hon Kee Petaling Street
Address: 93, Jalan Hang Lekir, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///cautious.cared.sporting
Price: RM7

Chee Cheong Fun

This bright red, saucy dish is chee cheong fun. A popular street food of fresh chewy rice noodles with the most amazing, slightly sweet, red peanut sauce poured over top.

As with many Chinese-Malaysian dishes, there’s a decent helping of spicy chilli sambal on the side to mix in as much or as little as you want. The result? Fresh, peanuty, spicy rice noodles that feel like the perfect comfort meal.

What sets chee cheong fun apart from other rice noodles is that they’re freshly chopped to order. At Yooi Kee Chee Cheong Fun, their plates of noodles come in three different sizes based on your hunger. We got the small, which was a decent helping for the both of us, especially if you want to make sure you save some room for the amount of street food you’ll be eating on Petaling Street.

Name: Yooi Kee Chee Cheong Fun
Address: 51, 49, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///sting.trumpet.vitals
Price: RM4 for small

Tau Foo Fah and Dau Jiang

Another stall that is an absolute institution here on Petaling Street is Kim Soya Bean, one of the most popular Chinese street food stalls here in Chinatown. If you merely mention to anyone in Kuala Lumpur that you’ll be in Chinatown, they’ll make sure you make a stop at Kim Soya Bean for their famous tau foo fah and dau jiang.

Tau foo fah is a soft tofu that’s served hot and with your choice of white or brown sugar syrup on top. Its velvety smooth texture, mild flavour and sweetness from the brown sugar (our go to), really make this treat something special, even on a hot day!

If you’re looking for a cool off, however, make sure to pair your tau foo fah with a creamy cup of dau jiang soy milk. Scooped out from the massive container front and centre on the cart, it’s served cold, with or without sugar, sweet and soft on the tongue.

Running now for over 90 years and by the third generation, the current owner is an extremely friendly man who’s been manning the shop for the last 40 years. Things have surely changed on Petaling Street in those years, but the quality and taste of their soy bean treats sure hasn’t, so we’re told by the regulars!

Name: Kim Soya Bean
Address: 49, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///similar.hosts.keyboard
Price: RM2.20/each

Joong

Savoury or sweet, what’s your poison?? We can’t help but always choose savoury, how can you resist salty goodness?!

Whichever way you swing, you’ve got choice when it comes to joong, a popular Chinese street food. This tasty glutinous rice dumpling is filled with either sweet dates, red bean and other sugary deliciousness, or savoury pork with salted egg, mushrooms and chestnuts.

The steaming process makes the rice lovely and chewy, with a soft texture. Everything all wrapped up in a bamboo leaf like a little present, these dense dumplings are jam packed with ingredients, full of flavour, and the perfect snack on the go.

Name: Ho Yoke Kee
Address: 19, 15, Jalan Hang Lekir, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///scar.deep.required
Price: RM8

Fresh Beef Noodles

Just around the corner from the main road of Petaling Street is a noteworthy place that has the best fresh beef noodle soup. Sin Kiew Yee Shin Kee Beef Noodles is a small shop that gets busy during any hour of the day, so be prepared to queue for a table. Luckily the line goes quick so you won’t have to wait for long.

Their beef noodle soup is full of raw beef, perfectly chewy egg noodles, green onion and beef floss, to give you a hearty bowl full of deliciousness.

The beef is added in raw to get the most tender meat possible, being cooked only briefly when it’s dunked into the main broth like a hot pot before being added to your dish. This rich and meaty broth, enriched with all the juices and oils from the beef, is further used as a bath for the egg noodles to cook, and finally being used for the broth itself.

Just a short walk from Petaling Street, we feel like this is worth the extra distance. I mean, with all the food you’ll be eating, you’re gonna need the walk.

Name: Sin Kiew Yee Shin Kee Beef Noodles
Address: 7a, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///boggles.pinches.situated
Price: RM10

Apam Balik

Apam balik is best described as a peanut pancake. The batter is cooked in a huge pan and covered in sugar and crushed peanuts, then folded in half to keep all the goodness inside. This pancake is massive, mind you, so ordering one portion will get you a decent sized slice. The combination of crunchy peanuts, with the soft and springy interior is something that we very much enjoyed.

While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up one of the smaller coconut pancakes. These guys were the real hit for us, with a super strong smell and flavour of coconut, they were a lovely little snack on the go. If you love coconut and peanut as much as we do, you’ll love these apams.

We unfortunately didn’t catch the name of the gentleman who owns this hawker cart, but we did have a nice chat with him. We learned that he’s been selling apam balik from the same location on Petaling Street for 40 years, “from a young man to an old man,” in his words. With a sense of humour and knowing what his customers want, it’s no wonder he’s been in business all these years selling the top street food pancakes in Chinatown.

Did we mention that his cart is attached to the side of a motorbike like a side car? It doesn’t get much more street food than that!

Name: Petaling Street Apek’s Apam
Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///safest.envy.joggers
Price: RM1.50/each

Yong Tau Foo

Yong tau foo is a popular Hakka dish of vegetables and tofu stuffed with springy fish paste. Found down an alley off of Petaling Street, Madras Lane Yong Tau Foo has a plethora of yong tau foo to choose from. Eaten either dry with a sauce, or in broth as a soup, you can’t go wrong with either.

We went for the dry version and chose a few different yong tau foo, mistakenly picking up a bitter melon! It was nice to try something different, but definitely a little bitter for our tastes! We prefer the soft eggplant, crispy fried wonton, and fish paste balls. Conveniently, you’re charged per piece of yong tau foo that you order, so you can have as much or as little as your stomach can handle.

Name: Madras Lane Yong Tau Foo
Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///terms.skinny.elated
Price: RM1.70/piece

Air Mata Kucing

If you’re craving a little something sweet to keep you going through your exploration of Petaling Street Chinatown, we recommend a quick pit stop at Air Mata Kucing for one of their refreshing mata kucing drinks.

Mata Kucing is also known as cat’s eye, and is a close relative to the plump and juicy longan. Their special mata kucing drink is quite sweet, more so than we were expecting actually, since it’s sweetened with monk fruit, which is far stronger than sucrose.

Starting up over 70 years ago, Air Mata Kucing used to serve their drink in metal bowls/cups, to drink right there and then. Over the years they’ve (unfortunately) switched to plastic, so you’ll be able to take your drink with you as you wander the streets of Chinatown.

Name: Air Mata Kucing
Address: 15, Jalan Hang Lekir, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///typhoon.latest.pirates
Price: RM4

Teh Tarik

Last but certainly not least, is something that you’ll find all over Malaysia, but is an honourable mention when you’re in Chinatown. Nestled away down Madras Lane, right across from Madras Lane Yong Tau Foo, is Kong Chai Coffee Stall. Here you can get a number of hot or cold Malaysian drinks.

Our go to and ultimate favourite Malaysian drink is teh tarik, literally translating to pulled tea.

Teh tarik is made with a strong brew of black tea combined with condensed milk. The two are added together in a cup, and are mixed by pouring, or “pulling”, the drink back and forth from one cup to another.

Not only is this process fun to watch, but it mixes the condensed milk in while also cooling down the tea and frothing it all up to create a velvety tea with the perfect drinking temperature.

Depending on your preference, you can enjoy it hot or cold. For us, on those hot Malaysian days, we prefer ours icy cold and oh so refreshing.

Name: Kong Chai Coffee Stall
Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
what3words: ///successor.twilight.tagging
Price: RM2.40

Petaling Street Chinatown

Some of the most popular Chinese food in Kuala Lumpur can be found in Petaling Street Chinatown. There’s so much incredible street food in Malaysia to try, and this list of the top 11 street foods to eat in Petaling Street Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur will get you more than started on your way to trying some of the best Chinese Malaysian street foods in the city.

We hope this list will be helpful for you to create a personalized street food tour of Petaling Street Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Check out our video below trying all of these top street foods to eat on Petaling Street!

The post Top 11 Street Foods to Eat in Petaling Street Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.