Comments on: Akın Balık: (the other) Karaköy Fish House

By: admin

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:34:42 +0000

Steve,

Thanks for the information. We’ll be following up on your report of Akin. Along with Kemal’in Yeri, we do have a couple more yet-to-be-spoiled spots for no frills fish in the Karakoy market area. We will update with those soon.

By: meliz

meliz — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:25:04 +0000

this patch of fish places has changed at lightening speed over the past couple of years. As word spread, the bags came off the beer cans, tables ceased to be collapsible, and proprietors got greedy. Very sad. The review a few months back, of Kemal’in Yeri, heads you in the right direction- keep on walking, past the bright lights and be-suited waiters. Rule of thumb: the less fancy a place looks, the better the fare.
(note that Kemal is on hiatus until the weather warms up)

By: steve

steve — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:27:49 +0000

Had lunch there today 15/01/2012.
2 soups 1 salad, red mullet for 2 & 2 Efes TRY72 .
Waiter asked for a tip.
Many other stalls let alone restaurants better on this strip & would cost less thanTRY40
Even the cafes at Galata tower are better value

By: adem

adem — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:07:56 +0000

fish sandwich from the boats arent bonito,they are imported from northern countries such as norway,(frozen mackerel)because its cheaperden local fish.sory to say that.

By: Eating Outdoors in Istanbul | Istanbul Eats

Eating Outdoors in Istanbul | Istanbul Eats — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:22:41 +0000

[...] Akin Balik This spot right on the Golden Horn has a laid back vibe that makes us feel like we’re no longer in the big city but instead relaxing in some seaside village. The fish on offer comes straight from the fish market next door and the beer is served in brown paper bags. What more can we say. Full review here. [...]

By: Alkan

Alkan — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:42:32 +0000

for a really nice fish sandwich you need to go inside the narrow streets of Karakoy; with Kadıköy port on your right side, walk towards Karakoy Güllüoğlu through parking lot and smell the air; it should lead you to them.

the fish stand opens up in late afternoon like 4 or 5pm and it is run by two young men with a real “esnaf” attitude that welcomes you. and a little chat about football of course

By: admin

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:09:16 +0000

That’s a good question. We usually only head to the beer and nargile joints under the bridge. Perhaps some readers out there know?

By: hungryburro

hungryburro — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:56:29 +0000

speaking of “an old Istanbul street food favorite that used to be sold from boats on the Golden Horn: the fish sandwich”– can good ones be gotten from the stands under the galata bridge? which one?

By: EaterLover

EaterLover — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:32:39 +0000

Wandered into Akin Balik on a cold rainy night in search of a fresh and healthy dinner alternative to doner. I was tempted by the mezze platter complete with marinated anchovies, olives, eggplant salad, cheese, anchovies rolled around olives, cucumbers, octopus, and marinated red peppers. Sounds wonderful on such a grim evening, eh? Well, the contents of the plate came floating in a pond of oil and everything but the cheese and cukes were inedibly salty. The benefits of Turkish food are the oil and salt at times, but Akin Balik knows no moderation. When I asked for the bill (with a slight stomach ache and yearn for copious amounts of water), the woman tried to charge me double. I protested and she realized I wasn’t another oblivious foreigner, so she conceded to the original price and I left. This place is dripping with quaint atmosphere but be forewarned to keep your guard up about the mezzes and the bill.

By: megan

megan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:47:48 +0000

I have assiduously kept this (totally rockin) place a secret for soooo many years, per a sacred promise to the friend that first shared it with me- am relieved beyond words that I can now throw up my hands, say Istanbul Eats blew the cover, and raise a paper-bagged Efes to Akin-Bey with whomever I please! Thanks, guys!