Traditional Home Cooking with a Local in İstanbul City Center
50 reviews
Experience hosted at home by
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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. 🧡
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What do our guests say?
We spent a wonderful afternoon learning to cook but also learning about Turkish culture. Nuran was a wonderful hostess accommodated my vegetarian preferences into the menu as we learned how to prepare several dishes. She had prepared lamb ahead of time for my husband and son. All of the food was tasty and the hospitality of our host was incredible. Nuran’s husband and son joined for the meal and we discussed what to see in Istanbul as well as learned more about Turkey. It was fascinating and definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
17.01.24
taunic2017
The experience was truly unique. We walked through an authentic neighborhood of Istanbul that is very lively and populated with spice shops, grocery stores and all kinds of places. The kindness of the neighborhood shopkeepers and our teacher, Gülşah, was unique. He involved us in a magnificent experience through the true flavors of traditional Turkish cuisine. Sipping tea together, chatting and laughing, we prepared börek, delicious side dishes, çorba and a pumpkin dessert which turned out to be among the best dishes I've ever eaten. Finally, our teacher made us real Turkish coffee. Delightful! I will never forget his kindness and hospitality. Teşekkürler 😄
24.02.24
FrancyG813