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(Editor’s note: Over here at Istanbul Eats, we like to think of ourselves as köfte savants. While to the untrained eye köfte may look like nothing more than a grilled meatball, we like to discern differences in taste, texture and consistency in the different styles of this ubiquitous Turkish dish. As with coffee, tea and wine, we would argue that the concept of terroir be applied to köfte and its different regional interpretations. With that in mind, we invite you to join us this week for an exploration of the many faces of köfte, with a look at five favorite spots in Istanbul.)
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi is the real deal for köfte, or meatballs. All those framed, hand-written letters from movie stars, politicians and military generals that cover the walls of this Sultanahmet mainstay are not complaints. This İnegöl-style köfte – that’s the log format of the meatball, not the patty – is pleasantly springy, aromatic and juicy. When dressed with a spicy red pepper sauce (served upon request) and stuffed into a fresh hunk of bread, it borders on divine. We like to sit in the front room at the old marble tables to watch the action at the grill. (15-20 TL/person)
Address: Divanyolu Caddesi 12
Telephone: 212-520-0566
(You can find yesterday’s entry here [2].)
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