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Köfte is
ground lamb with spices formed into
little sausage-like meatballs, then
grilled over charcoal.
It's the Turkish equivalent of the
American
hamburger, a favorite
with workmen. Köfte (KURF-teh)
is as popular and traditional as shish
kebap, and usually a bit cheaper.
Several restaurants along Divan
Yolu at the northeastern
end of the Hippodrome in
Sultanahmet specialize in köfte and
shish kebap. Among my favorites is
the Sultanahmet
Halkin Köftecisi ("The
People's Köfte-maker in Sultanahmet").
True to its popular name, it's a simple
place of plain tables, simple menu,
quick service and low prices.
As you enter, you pass the grill where
the chefs are cooking the köfte and
shish kebap. The ground-floor tables
may be crowded, so I usually go to
the large upstairs dining room.
Order köfte, shish kebap,
or a plate half and half (yari-yari)
of both, a dish of piyaz (a
salad of white beans and onions vinaigrette),
and a glass of ayran (drinkable
yoghurt) or water. (You can even order
chicken shish kebap if you don't want
red meat.) A basket of fresh bread
will appear on your table, and soon
you'll be tucking into a hearty lunch
or supper.
Desserts/sweets are simple, such as
kadayif (sweet
semolina cake with pine nuts). Tea is
good to finish, or you can order Turkish
coffee.
Simple, quick, inexpensive
and good!
Look for the restaurant just down
the hill from the Sultanahmet tram stop on Divan
Yolu, opposite the Hippodrome.
Sultanahmet Halkin Köftecisi
Divan Yolu Caddesi No. 26
Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Tel +90 (212) 522 9785
Tel +90 (212) 527 5473
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