Chinese Market

If you visit Istanbul, you can discover Istanbul in terms many cultures. This cultural multitude can be in regard to food variety, historical places, shopping, and cultural structure. It can be better to decide on the discovering way to Istanbul by considering your interests, mainly if you have limited time. In this way, the spent time in this megacity will be more unjoyful, meaningful, and valuable. We should also note that shopping in Istanbul is definitely one of the best activities preferred by tourists. It is a special place between the shopping malls because of its historical, cultural, and shopping background. Visiting the Chinese market is one of these places that show how diverse Istanbul can be.

Location of the Chinese Market

The Chinese market is in Gümüşsuyu neighborhood of the Beyoğlu/ Taksim, and it is near to Beşiktaş. Taksim is known as the center of Istanbul because of its cultural and historical background, and many accommodations places are generally preferred by tourists. Also, Beşiktaş is another famous region of Istanbul for locating and visiting. If you wonder about the transportation ways to go Chinese market, you can glance below.

• Walking

• Metro

• Bus

• Taxi or private car

If you like walking, you can go to the Chinese market by walking from Taksim and Beşiktaş. But walking from Beşiktaş can take more time and afford, but the encountered views can be worth it. While you are walking, you can discover Istanbul and see the harmony of the Bosphorus with Istanbul from the alleyways.

In Istanbul, transportation by bus and the metro are commonly used, and there is a vast transformation network. So, you can easily reach the Chinese market from different locations by these means of transformation. This market is near to metro station and bus station. But you should know that the bus station is nearer to the metro station in Taksim.

Using a taxi or private car can take more time than other ways because of the traffic problem in the city and the difficulty of parking space finding.

Where Can You Go from the Chinese Market?

After you do the shopping in the Chinese market, you can go to many famous places that can be seen below from there. Therefore, the Chinese market can be a starting point to discovering Istanbul. You can choose one of the different directions and destinations according to your interests. If you want to continue shopping, you can go to historical bazaars or top shopping malls. Also, you can visit historical mosques, palaces, and other structures to start discovering Istanbul from a historical point of view. 

• Historical Bazaars

• Golden Horn

• Taksim/ Beyoğlu

• Ortaköy

• Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosques

• Süleymaniye Mosque

• Visiting The Chinese Market

Shopping in Istanbul can be made in historical bazaars and shopping malls. You can see traditional products and the city's historical background in the historical bazaars. In shopping malls, you can find anything that is both cloth and food with many options. Also, some markets sell unique or regional products. The Chinese market is one of the most interesting because of its historical background, supplied products, prices, and location. By visiting the Chinese market, you can get experience Asian food products in Istanbul.  

History of the Chinese Market

Essentially, the Chinese market was involved in the catering industry until 1992. Then, it was changed to a market that sells needed products for Asian cuisines. Their aim is to provide the necessary products and the far east atmosphere to people who feel homesick and interested in Asian cooking. 

In the beginning, a small number of malls sold the same products as the Chinese market, but with time, their number is increasing. All the top shopping malls in Istanbul started to sell far Asian products and foods. Although you think that competing with them in any industry is very difficult for smaller shops and markets these days, the Chinese market can get over this competition with some advantages. These advantages are given below.

• Affordable prices

• Unique products that cannot be found in the shopping malls

• Nice appearance of the torch

• Warm atmosphere 

Cultural Side of the Chinese Market

Many Asian people from different countries migrate to Turkey for education or job needs. They are generally located in Istanbul. Also, many tourists from the far east come to Istanbul every year. In addition to many Turkish people and tourists who come from other countries may be interested in the far east cuisines. When they want to cook their traditional foods, they search for the needed products. 

There is a limited number of places that show cultural diversity, apparently as the Chinese market. If you visit the Chinese market, you can find anything that needs for Asian food cooking. In addition to this, you can feel better the cultural diversity of Istanbul in this market. So, it can be a valuable experience for you.  

Which Products Can Be Found in the Chinese Market?

If you want to cook foods from far-east cuisines like Taiwan, Korea, and Chinese, and you are worried about the needed products, you should visit the Chinese market for shopping. You can find many products that are not found in the top shopping malls. Some products that you can buy from the Chinese market are listed. Because of the more extensive product variety, all of them cannot be listed here. If you search for a particular thing, you can ask the Chinese market owner and get it.

• Red curry sauce

• Sesame oil

• Sushi ingredients

• Noodles (sweet potato, rice, wheat)

• Rice dough

• Rice cake

• Tofu

• Spicy chili sauce

• Rice vinegar

• Soya bean

• Worcestershire sauce 

• Hoisin sauce

• Mirin

• Red bean paste

• Shrimp cracker

• Frozen potstickers