10 things I love about Istanbul

Selin Kiazim of Oklava in London keeps the tastes and traditions of Istanbul alive. She tells us about the unique food scene in the city that inspires her

- JOEL PORTER

Standing at the border of Europe and Asia, Istanbul has absorbed flavours from all over the world for centuries. The sight and smell of food will hit you on every corner, whether it’s from the spices and fresh veg at a market, or street-food carts selling kebabs and stuffed mussels. There’s so much to explore that the idea of having just three meals a day goes out the window. When I visit, I wander from restaurants to bakeries and cafés in search of the best things to eat.

1 One of my favourite things to do in Istanbul is cross the Bosphorus on the ferry, going from the European side to the Asian side. It’s a tranquil journey and the sun always seems to be shining. For locals, it’s part of everyday life, with many making the trip each day for work. For visitors, it’s a great way to see the city from the water and admire the skyline and sights such as the Topkapi Palace. I’ll have a çay (Turkish tea) on board, and maybe a simit – a round, sesamecrusted bread, sometimes called a Turkish bagel.

2 The Turkish breakfast is one of my favourite meals. As a kid, I remember holidays to Turkey that involved buffets of baked goods, spreads, egg dishes and dips. For many families, a big weekend breakfast can last for hours, and is the main meal of the day. A typical one will include lots of bread; kaymak, a dip similar to clotted cream made from buffalo milk and served in a pool of honey; fried eggs with pastirma (cured beef); and menemen, scrambled eggs with peppers, onions and chopped tomatoes.