Traditional Home Cooking with a Local in İstanbul City Center
50 reviews
Experience hosted at home by
Gülşah
4 Hours
English, Turkish
If you’re looking for things to do in Istanbul that let you experience the city like a local, this home cooking experience is the perfect way to connect with Turkish culture through food. We’ll start by exploring the colorful, historic markets of Kurtuluş, where you’ll see vibrant spice stalls, freshly baked simit at the local bakery, traditional cured meats at the charcuterie, and jars of pickled delicacies. These shops are full of flavors that have shaped Turkish cuisine for centuries, and as we shop together, I’ll share their history and the best ways to use these ingredients in home cooking. 🍲
Once we’ve gathered everything we need, we’ll head to my home kitchen, where we’ll cook side by side just as Turkish families do. We’ll prepare authentic dishes like dolma, börek, mezes, and traditional soups, learning the small details that make them truly special. As we cook, we’ll chat about Turkish food culture, daily life, and the personal stories behind each dish. 🍴
When everything is ready, we’ll sit down for a homemade feast, enjoying the rich flavors, warm hospitality, and good conversation that make meals in Turkey so special. More than just a class, this is an opportunity to connect, share, and create lasting memories. 💬
If you’re wondering what is best to do in Istanbul, this experience will leave you with a full belly, a full heart, and a deeper appreciation for the city’s flavors and traditions. 🧡
What do our guests say?
So great to have a tour which included visits to local food & deli shops to see how a local gets her provisions. Gulsah is friendly and easy going, full of stories and insights. Plus making a selection of dishes together like Borek was a great way to learn local techniques. Food was delicious and the group was really nice also. Would recommend.
29.06.24
NatiaE
There were several features that I really enjoyed about this cooking class. First of all Gulsah was lots of fun to work with. I appreciate it very much that she took the time to walk us through the neighborhood for us to get a better understanding of how this Turkish neighborhood works. We got to interact with the store owners that she uses for her cooking classes. Once we arrived at her home, we immediately got to cooking several appetizers or tapas along with dessert. I got to ask many questions about Turkish cuisine as well as Turkish life, and I found Gulsah very open about sharing her life story as well. she also was very helpful identifying and recommending other activities that I was interested in. I fully enjoy this home away from home cooking event and highly recommended it
31.07.24
grizel u
Had a wonderful time with this experience. Gulsah is an absolute gem. She led our small group around her neighborhood markets, and we used the supplies to cook several traditional dishes in her lovely home. Gulsah is knowledgeable, patient, and very easy to connect with. I definitely recommend this course!
12.09.24
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