What Is the Story of Iskender Kebab?
Iskender kebab in Istanbul is one of the dishes many travelers look for after exploring Turkish cuisine. The story of iskender kebab, one of the well-known tastes of Bursa, started in 1867 in Mehmet's son Iskender Efendi's shop in Kayhan, Bursa. Until the second period of the 19th century, lamb was cooked in a coal furnace. Turning the lamb continuously in this way did not cook all the meat evenly. It was difficult to share the flavors of different parts of the lamb, and the oils flowing with the heat would drip onto the coal, creating smell and smoke that disturbed the environment.
İskender Efendi developed a method to solve this problem at an early age. After separating the lamb meat from its bones, he placed it on a stick and started cooking it on the stove. With this method, he turned the meat and cooked it evenly on all sides. The most delicious parts of lamb were served to customers without burning. This is how the doner kebab, which plays an essential role in Turkish taste culture, was invented. Many types of kebab later emerged with this cooking method and are sometimes served with eggplant and sometimes with lavash bread. For a general overview of the dish's background, you can also check Wikipedia's entry on İskender kebap.
How Is Iskender Kebab in Istanbul Prepared?
Doner kebab prepared with lamb meat is placed in front of the stove and cooked slowly on the fire. After cooking, it is cut thinly from top to bottom with a knife, turning into strips of lamb. For service, the plate is heated on the grill, and Turkish pitas are cut and placed at the bottom. Tomato sauce is poured over the pita. Before the pitas get cold, they are covered with lamb slices. Immediately after these steps, heated butter is poured over the top. It is served with roasted peppers, tomatoes, and yogurt.
This combination of crisped pita, tomato sauce, thinly sliced lamb, hot butter, and yogurt is what makes the dish memorable. If you are looking for things to eat in Istanbul, this classic is a satisfying choice before or after visiting landmarks such as the Grand Bazaar or spending time around Taksim Square.
Where Are the Best Places to Eat Iskender Kebab in Istanbul?
Here are some notable places mentioned for trying iskender kebab in different parts of the city.
The most famous: Bursa Garaj Kebap, Beşiktaş
Bursa Garaj Kebap, located in Beşiktaş, offers the famous flavor of Bursa to its customers without sacrificing quality. Besides Iskender, the pickled cucumbers are also worth tasting at the restaurant.
With its impressive view: Uludağ Et Lokantası, Florya
This restaurant serves in Florya, one of the precious districts of Istanbul, by the sea and next to the Historical Atatürk Marine Mansion, with a unique view where green and blue meet. You can also start your Sunday here with an open buffet breakfast.
Keeping its quality for years: Bursa Kebapçısı, Beyoğlu
You can eat a quality iskender kebab in this small place much as you would in Bursa. Their pitas are their own production and crispy. If you are going to eat here, the original text recommends drinking cider with it.
So many types of meat: Kasabım Ethane, Beyoğlu
With more than sixty years of experience in the meat sector, this company offers many varieties such as tenderloin, beef cutlet, smoked meat, entrecote, and lamb tandoori. The kebab they prepare by choosing the best meat is presented as something memorable.
Magnificent Bosphorus view: Borsa Restaurant, Üsküdar
Serving against the Bosphorus view in Adile Sultan Palace, this restaurant offers Ottoman and Turkish cuisine menus. Besides delicious iskender kebab, there are many traditional options, so choosing may not be easy. If you are planning a food stop on the Asian side, pairing it with a walk near Maiden's Tower can make for a pleasant day.
Great desserts: Niyazibey Iskender, Üsküdar
Here, the recommendation is Niyazibey special iskender kebab followed by semolina halva with ice cream or künefe. Don't forget to ask for the pan yogurt separately if you go here.
If you want to eat iskender kebab outside of the places listed above, you can travel directly from Sabiha Gökçen to Bursa. While eating the city's famous iskender kebab, you can also see the historical structure of Bursa. If you want a journey with sea air, you can go to Bursa with IDO from Pendik and Yenikapı. For broader Turkey travel inspiration, see GoTürkiye.
Making Iskender Kebab at Home
If you want to recreate the spirit of iskender kebab at home, here is the original ingredient list and preparation method shared in this guide.
Ingredients for making original Iskender kebab at home
400 g lamb meat
4 tablespoons of butter
salt and pepper
tomato sauce
pita bread
yogurt
tomatoes and peppers for roasting
Refrigerate the meat for half an hour to slice it more easily. Cut it thinly and cook with oil, salt, and pepper in a pan. In a separate saucepan, heat the butter for the sauce. Add tomato puree and hot water and let it boil. Melt butter in a separate pan and throw the chopped pita into it. Fry tomatoes and peppers for serving. Spread the lightly fried pita on the serving plate, drizzle tomato sauce on it, and place the fried meat on top. Melt the butter and drizzle over the strips of lamb. Place yogurt, fried tomatoes, and peppers next to it. Happy eating!
