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.

You can’t go far in Turkey without stumbling upon someone having a çay, a strong black Turkish tea sweetened with sugar. Whether it’s a shop keeper standing outside awaiting their next customer, locals on a few makeshift stools on the side of the road, or someone carrying a tray full of them to who knows where as they bustle down the street. Çay is a part of Turkish culture.

Tucked away in Beyoğlu

One of our favourite places to stop into after a long day of eating and exploring Istanbul was at a quaint little local Çay Evi, or teahouse, on the corner of Kurdela Sokak and Ömer Hayyam Caddesi. A mere five minutes’ walk from the popular Istiklal Caddesi, Huzur Çay Evi is exactly the place we always needed after a long day to enjoy the best Turkish tea in Istanbul.

It’s got the absolute perfect location, right on the side of a busy street. The best place for watching the world go by, day or night. Being a local shop in a more local area, you’re able to experience the comings and goings of a local Istanbul neighbourhood. Be it the traffic, the people, or the Sunday market across the street, this is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the hustle and bustle around you.

What to order

As there isn’t a proper menu as such, it’s good to know what’s on offer. At many of the teahouses in Turkey, you’ll have the option of tea or coffee. At Huzur Çay Evi you can order a çay (pronounced chai) or a türk kahvesi (which is a Turkish coffee of considerable strength).

What is a Turkish tea

The çay in Turkey is quite strong. It’s a black tea that’s made so strong, they only fill your cup a third of the way with the brew, then fill the rest with boiling water. This gives you the perfect strength tea, that’s still so strong you’ll need a little something to take away the bitterness.

How to drink Turkish tea

Turkish tea in general is drank black without milk, so you won’t be seeing that anywhere nearby. At Huzur Çay Evi they have the best Turkish tea in Istanbul, strong and full of flavour. In order to cut the strength of the tea, it’s drank with sugar, lots of sugar. There’s always a bowl full of sugar cubes on the table at Huzur Çay Evi, so you can add in as many or as little as you like. The local way is to go for two cubes, we prefer one so it’s not too overly sweet, but to each their own!

Honorable mention, Turkish coffee

The türk kahvesi coffee is your other menu option. The coffee grounds are boiled with hot water to brew the coffee, and are served to you in the cup with the coffee. Make sure you give the grounds a minute or two to settle to the bottom of the cup before drinking! Before your coffee is made, you’ll be asked how much sugar you’d like. This is so you don’t try and add the sugar afterwards and mix it up with all the grounds. A little sugar means one cube, regular sugar means two.

The incredible hospitality at Huzur Çay Evi

What kept us going back almost every day wasn’t just the strong tea and rich coffee. It was the incredibly friendly owners of this humble local shop. Over the three weeks we stayed in the Beyoğlu area of Istanbul, we got to know Dilaver and Seher, the warm and hospitable husband and wife running the place.

Whether we stopped in for a çay or not, every day we passed by we were greeted with smiles and a wave, an even bigger one when we stopped in. Each day we headed back to our accommodation, we looked forward to seeing their kind, beaming faces.

Even though none of us spoke each other’s language, it was easy to communicate with such good-natured and heartwarming people. That’s something we love about travelling to other countries, communicating with people through other means than words. It’s amazing what you can get across through the use of body language and accentuated facial expressions!

A connection beyond your typical customer relationship

The last few visits we had at Huzur Çay Evi, Seher sat down with us as we all enjoyed the hot, sweet çay that Dilaver had made. Sitting and chatting unreservedly with Seher was a pleasure. She told us about her life, how they came about the shop, and how she’d worked there for many years before they bought it for themselves. Her kind heart was so evident that as I looked into her eyes, I could feel the emotion in her stories. I feel like we sparked up a true connection that went deeper than someone who was serving drinks to a customer.

By the time we had to leave Istanbul, I was very sad to go and say goodbye after making such an intimate connection with this woman that I had only briefly known, yet felt like I had known much longer. When the day came for us to say farewell, we embraced for many moments, with a silent knowing of the bond we had formed during the past few weeks.

What started off as a local place to stop by for a hot drink, ended up creating some of our most memorable moments in Istanbul. The strong aroma of coffee and traditional stools set up on the side of the busy street brought us into Huzur Çay Evi. But it was the friendly, warm, smiling faces of Dilaver and Seher that had us coming back over and over again to warm up on their fresh çay and rich türk kahvesi.

Make sure you visit for the best Turkish tea in Istanbul

If you find yourself in the Beyoğlu area of Istanbul, or along Istiklal Caddesi, make sure to stop by Huzur Çay Evi for some of the best Turkish tea in Istanbul. Whether it’s a glass of their delicious çay or a cup of their robust türk kahvesi, you will not be disappointed.

Don’t forget to take a moment to meet Dilaver and Seher while you’re there. You can’t miss their friendly, smiling faces, most likely beckoning you into their teashop, so we’re fairly sure you’ll know who they are.

Name: Huzur Çay Evi
Address: Kalyoncu Kulluğu, Ömer Hayyam Cd., 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
what3words: ///purest.lump.pose
Price: çay 3TL, türk kahvesi 6TL

The post The Best Turkish Tea in Istanbul is at Huzur Çay Evi appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.

Rice pudding in Turkey, sütlaç

Turkish rice pudding, or sütlaç, can be found all over the country. It’s a very common Turkish dessert on many restaurants’ menus. So much so, that sometimes it’s the only dessert on there! One kind of sütlaç that is the rarest and most decadent of them all is Hamsiköy sütlacı, found only in the Black Sea Region of Trabzon. In fact, this sütlaç is revered as the best in the country, and it all has to do with the cows.

The famous cows that make Hamsiköy sütlacı so special

In the Black Sea Region of Trabzon, sütlaç is made with a rare and special milk known as Hamsiköy milk. The Hamsiköy cows which produce the milk have a unique habitat on top of the mountains of the Trabzon region. Wild flowers grow here in the mountain meadows and are eaten by the cows in their pastures. The addition of these wild flowers into the cows’ diets imparts an extremely unique flavour on the milk they produce.

This diet is so unique that there are no other cows which produce this special milk. Thus making Hamsiköy milk very regional in nature. Since this milk cannot be produced anywhere else, neither can the sütlaç, making Hamsiköy sütlacı a true regional specialty.

Worth travelling to the Black Sea Region just to try their sütlaç? We say yes!

This special Turkish rice pudding is made with the simplest ingredients. Only pure Hamsiköy milk, rice, sugar, and a pinch of salt is used. Everything is put into a clay bowl where it’s baked in the oven until slightly caramelized on top. This creates an extremely thick and velvety dessert like no other.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, this decadent Turkish dessert is abundantly topped with ground hazelnuts grown locally in the Black Sea region. If you’re feeling extra sweet, you can get a scoop of fresh Hamsiköy ice cream to finish it all off.

Sütlaç is so rare it’s been given a Geographical Indication

Hamsiköy sütlacı is so unique to the region, that it’s been registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. Then, in 2017, it was given a geographical indication certificate. If that isn’t enough, the town of Hamsiköy also holds a “Hamsiköy Sütlaç Festival” annually since 2006 to promote the dessert in Turkey, as well as abroad. It’s clear to see that this Turkish rice pudding is no joke!

Where to go for the best Hamsiköy sütlacı in Trabzon

The best place to try out this extremely tasty Turkish dessert is at Uğur Usta Hamsiköy Sütlacı Ayasofya. Located near the Trabzon Hagia Sophia Mosque, it’s the perfect place to stop for a sweet bite. You can even do a little sightseeing afterwards or walk along the Black Sea.

What to order at Uğur Usta Hamsiköy Sütlacı

They have a few different variations of Hamsiköy sütlacı to choose from, such as plain, with honey, kadayif, locally grown hazelnuts, or Hamsiköy ice cream. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. Our recommendation? Both the hazelnuts and ice cream, decadence to the max!

Name: Uğur Usta Hamsiköy Sütlacı Ayasofya
Address: Fatih, Hacı Ziya Habiboğlu Caddesi no 37, 61100 Ortahisar/Trabzon, Turkey
what3words: ///fallen.declining.ranked
Price: 25TL

Watch our video below to check out this unique local specialty at the best place in Trabzon.

The post The Underrated Turkish Dessert, Hamsiköy Sütlaç: The Ultimate Turkish Rice Pudding 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 flaming testi kebab is a Turkish pottery kebab that originates from the Anatolia region of Turkey. It’s a very unique and special way of cooking kebab in a clay pot, that’s similar to a pressure-cooked stew. If you find yourself in Turkey, but aren’t able to make it into this central region of the country, there are a number of different restaurants in Istanbul that serve up this special dish just as good as the original.

Where to go for authentic testi kebab in Istanbul

Of all the restaurants that serve testi kebab in Istanbul, the best one is at the İstanbul Kebab Cafe & Restaurant in the old Sultanahmet district of Istanbul. Here, it’s served up with an amazing show and wonderful hospitality that’s incomparable.

The most unique part of this dish is the flaming testi kebab fire show that you get with your meal. As far as fire shows with the Turkish pottery kebab go, one of the best in the city is here at the İstanbul Kebab Cafe & Restaurant.

What to order

There’s one option on the menu for testi kebab, ‘individual’ sized pots that are portioned for two people. They’re the perfect amount to share and be pleasantly stuffed. So, make sure you bring an eating buddy with you or you’re extra hungry!

The pottery kebab is full of lovely fresh ingredients like beef, chicken, or both, with onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, and green pepper, with lots of tasty herbs and spices. It’s made by putting all the ingredients together into a small clay pot and then sealing off the head with aluminum.

The pot, full of all this deliciousness, is placed into a tandoor oven to cook. This special cooking style creates a pressure cooker atmosphere inside the clay pot, which is the secret behind the taste and flavour of this unique kebab.

What to expect

The best part of this dish, minus how delicious it is of course, is the fire show that comes with it! There’s a reason they call it ‘flaming,’ and the fire show here is unparalleled. After the kebab has been cooked and stewed in its own juices, they set the pot aflame and serve it up, piping hot, ready to burn your mouth. Make sure you watch out for those first bites!

Dessert, anyone?

Honorable mention is the delicious, fresh baklava and apple tea that’s served to each customer for dessert. Nothing sits quite right at the end of a Turkish meal than a fresh, crispy, sweet piece of baklava to wash it all down.

Name: İstanbul Kebab Cafe & Restaurant
Address: Alemdar, Biçki Yurdu Sk. No 5, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
what3words: ///teaches.audio.securing
Price: 230TL

Are you interested in seeing what this amazing fire show is all about? Then click below to see the best restaurant for authentic testi kebab in Istanbul.

The post Best Restaurant for Authentic Testi Kebab in Istanbul appeared first on Hungry Two Travel.