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Preparing Tantuni Kebab

Turkish Street Food: Tantuni Kebab

For us, the most exciting part of being in Istanbul is the food; mainly the street food. Last year, we couldn’t keep away from the deep-fried hamsi at Karaköy fish market, returning on numerous occasions over the few days we were there. When we were back in Fethiye, we drooled at the very thought of hamsi ekmek, so much so that Karaköy fısh market was the first place we headed to when we arrived in Istanbul last month.

But while hamsi ekmek (oh, and mustn’t forget the famous Taksim ıslak hamburger) were our best Istanbul 2010 foodie memories, Istanbul 2011 has certainly not disappointed. We have returned to Fethiye with a new street food memory that gushes with just as much drool factor; the tantuni kebab.

Turkish Tantuni Kebab
Emine Ana is a popular tantuni place in Istanbul

While mulling our options of what we were going to eat one evening, we were wandering aimlessly around the side streets of Beyoğlu and all of a sudden, there it was: Emine Ana – Mersin Tantuni Kebab.

We’ve read so much about the tantuni kebab over the last couple of years – it appears Mersin tantuni is the new black – and had been itching to try one. Happening upon this place was surely meant to be? Well, we decided that was the case and went inside.

The unexpected aroma of freshly chopped mint hit us as soon as we opened the door and we perched on little stools, the only customers in the building.

It may have said tantuni on the sign outside, but was it going to be a tasty tantuni? As we were thinking this, a plate of mint, rocket, parsley and lemon was placed on the table followed by pickled chillies (turşu). A good start!

Preparing Tantuni Kebab
Preparing the Mersin Tantuni

The guy stood over us, waiting expectantly. We needed to speak.

‘Errrm, tantuni?’ I tried to sound confident and knowledgeable but my questioning tone obviously gave me away. I didn’t have a clue what I was asking for.
‘Dürüm? Yarım?’
Brilliant. We’d asked for the right thing and now we just had to decide between dürüm (a wrap) or yarım (a half bread). No competition when we’ve got rumbling tummies to quieten. Yarım it was…

Tiny chunks and strips of previously cooked beef that had been waiting to one side of the huge, circular pan were scooped into a gravy-filled pit in the centre and swirled around in the sizzling juices. Meanwhile, our bread was sliced through the middle and pressed around the edges of the metal plate, soaking up stray juices.

Mersin Tantuni Half Bread
Looks great but our tantuni half bread needs some additions

Within minutes, our tantuni kebab was presented open, wrapped loosely at the bottom in paper. The paper proved very useful. Nothing dry about this sandwich. Before we delved in, leaves were added, cumin was sprinkled and chillies were strategically placed along the top of the beefy filling.

Mersin Tantuni Kebab
Now it’s ready to eat

The paper was carefully reapplied to the bottom of our sandwiches, we picked them up, and we simultaneously bit into our first ever tantuni kebabs. A momentous moment!

Tender, juicy pieces of beefy goodness melting on the tongue; warm, soft, gravy-soaked bread; crispy salad leaves with peppery rocket flavours partying with the zing of the mint…and then the hot pickled chillies.

No need to speak to each other. Eyes, eyebrows and nods said it all. We’ve devoured some decent kebabs in our time, but this…

We returned to Emine Ana for more tantuni kebab the night after!

Emine Ana Tantuni, Beyoğlu, Istanbul

  • Emine Ana Tantuni is on Sıraselviler Caddesi in Beyoğlu.
  • We were there at a quiet time as further research has revealed that we were lucky in happening upon Emine Ana Tantuni. It’s a popular joint with a great tantuni reputation.

November 3, 2011 by Turkey's For Life 14 Comments

Filed Under: Istanbul Europe, Street Food Tagged With: Beyoğlu, Kebabs

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Comments

  1. Mark @ ramblecrunch

    November 4, 2011 at 12:03 am

    Mouth-watering description with scrumptious photos. It’s midnight and I could use one of these right now.

    Reply
  2. Erica (Irene)

    November 4, 2011 at 1:35 am

    Wow…this looks absolutely delicious. I’ve never had it before…can’t believe I’ve missed something so yummy. I asked my husband who’s from Izmir said he never heard of it before. I guess he’s been in Toronto tooooo long.

    love your Blog….

    Reply
  3. Turkey's For Life

    November 4, 2011 at 8:29 am

    @ Mark: I’m reading your comment at 8:30 in the morning and I could eat another tantuni kebab right now. They’re soooo yummy. 🙂

    @ Erica: Interesting your husband hasn’t heard of it either. As I said in the post though, from reading around, it looks as though it’s enjoying a bit of a renaissance. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Joy

    November 4, 2011 at 8:49 am

    The tantuni is also a great snack around midnight (or later( after a few drinks! =)

    Reply
  5. Jayne

    November 4, 2011 at 10:41 am

    Wow, that does look good. Thanks for giving us a great lunch idea. We will be hanging around Istiklal Cad. on Saturday – can’t wait to find the restaurant…

    Reply
  6. Turkey's For Life

    November 4, 2011 at 10:46 am

    @ Joy: Yes, looks like the perfect pre-bed meal. The sort of midnight meal you wish you hadn’t eaten when you wake up the morning after. 🙂

    @ Jayne: It’s amazingly good. This place is at the top end of Istiklal – at the back somewhere. Not too sure where exactly. 😉

    Reply
  7. Cardamom Hills

    November 4, 2011 at 11:18 am

    Hey Julia….I was in Turkey for a week and was blown away by the place and food…now this tantuni is really making me miss their food…the kebabs, koftas, mezze…it is such a beautiful and friendly place….I know you guys have a missing sweettooth 😉 same with me but I loved the turkish Ice cream- dondurumas, thats wat they call it right? Sadly I cant find any place that sells it in UAE or even a decent recipe for it!! 🙁 Planning to come again next year 🙂
    Cheers!!
    Mj

    Reply
  8. Turkey's For Life

    November 4, 2011 at 11:28 am

    @ Cardamom Hills: Great memory on the missing sweet tooth but guess what, even we can squash down a sticky dondurma every now and then. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed your time in Turkey so much so that you want to return! Good to see you blogging again, too. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Jay

    November 5, 2011 at 2:33 am

    wow…sounds scrumptiously tasty…
    excellent cliks..thanks for sharing julia..;)
    Tasty Appetite

    Reply
  10. tasteofbeirut

    November 5, 2011 at 3:16 am

    Loved Istanbul and the entire experience of being in Turkey!

    Reply
  11. [email protected]

    November 5, 2011 at 3:45 am

    Looks so delicious. Finding these places is so hard when you’re a tourist- it’s great that you are doing the exploring for us. Another place to add to the list!

    Reply
  12. Turkey's For Life

    November 5, 2011 at 9:18 am

    @ Jay: Very tasty! 🙂

    @ Taste of Beirut: We love going up to Istanbul. Always something new – like this place – to find. 🙂

    @ Jenny: If you’re ever in Istanbul, definitely add this to your list. Tantuni kebab is amazing! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Simcha

    November 13, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    Absolutely love Tantuni, love Istanbul even more!

    Reply
  14. Turkey's For Life

    November 13, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    @ Simcha: We’d never had tantuni kebab before but it’s a definite favourite now. Can’t wait to try it again. Yeah, we love Istanbul, too.

    Reply

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