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The Karaköy district is a living laboratory for a gastronomy enthusiast with colorful restaurants.
With its historical texture remaining from the Ottoman era, it tells a unique story just like other districts of Istanbul.
That is why GastroCafer chose Karaköy as the first stop of its restaurant tour series.
With my new series, I plan to tour Istanbul street by street and explain different flavors from my own perspective.
From soup to dessert, my article “A Day in Karaköy”, covering three different Beyoğlu venues, is now with you!
First, let me briefly talk about my journey.
After an hour-long bus ride with plenty of traffic, I arrived at Kadıköy.
Later, while watching the sunset over the Marmara Sea, I didn’t realize how time passed.
However, a sentence I will never forget remained in my mind:
This journey will be a new turning point in Cafer Can Yeşilyurt and his gastronomy experiences.
And here I was at my first stop, Karaköy Çorba Evi.
Karaköy Çorba Evi
Karaköy Çorba Evi (Soup House) is literally located at the heart of Karaköy’s soup culture.
From the outside, it has a simple but lively atmosphere; when you step inside, a pleasant smell welcomes you.
Although the occupancy rate is high in the evening hours, the self-service system works uninterruptedly.
There are 21 different options on the menu of Karaköy Çorba Evi, from classics to regional cuisine.
I preferred the Ezogelin soup (red lentil soup with bulgur and mint).
At the first sip, I realized that the heat, spiciness, and intense spices were balanced with each other.
Its consistency was smooth, sediment-free, and a satisfying portion was served.
Next to the soup was a small plate with lemon, olives, hot peppers, and pickled cucumbers.
Perhaps the only missing point was that the bread served was in a plastic bag.
The wooden service plates and rustic spice racks on the tables reflected the friendly character of the venue.
The wooden tables on the upper floor created a nostalgic ambiance for you, even if you were in a narrow environment.
Of course, if you wish you can sit outside at Karaköy Çorba Evi and enjoy your soup while watching the busy street.
Important Note:
Some soups that are in high demand in the evening hours (for example Yuvalama) may run out.
Therefore, going early may be to your advantage.
Mükellef Lokanta: A Modern Approach to Turkish Cuisine
Mükellef Lokanta was my second stop on my Beyoğlu taste tour.
(Note: Mükellef Lokanta and Mükellef Karaköy are different restaurants.)
This venue, which focuses on Turkish cuisine, is a place where both local and foreign guests show great interest.
As soon as I walked through the door, I encountered a smiling welcome, which was very important for this first impression.
Although Mükellef Lokanta does not have a very large area, the table spacing was regular and the dining experience I had was comfortable.
The lighting was soft and the environment gave a warm home feeling.
Thanks to the open kitchen concept, you can watch the masters while they are working.
And this detail turns the food you eat into an experience.
I ordered Lahmacun and Purple Basil Sherbet at Mükellef Lokanta.
The lahmacuns had a balanced taste that exceeded my expectations.
The dough was thin, the edges slightly crispy; the internal mortar was neither too watery nor dry.
The minced meat mixture was homogeneously distributed and visually appetizing.
Classic service was made with onion, tomato, parsley, and lemon slices next to the lahmacuns.
On the other hand, since there was no licorice root sherbet left, the Purple Basil Sherbet that came instead was the surprise event of the evening.
It makes you feel its scent before pouring it into the glass and the sugar ratio is just right.
If you want to experience a cool, aromatic, and refreshing sherbet; I definitely recommend you drink it.
To summarize, it was possible to find both traditional taste and careful presentation together at Mükellef.
 La Lune Patisserie – Karaköy: A Sweet End, A Complex Trace
As the last stop of the day, I chose  La Lune Patisserie, one of the most stylish patisseries in Karaköy.
The ambiance of the venue was elegant with its soft music and simple yet eye-catching decoration.
However, due to the change in croissant prices in recent weeks, I preferred to complete the day with only Pistachio cake and tea duo today.
Visually, it was quite a stylish cake; however, small differences occurred between my expectations and my experience in the tasting part.
I noticed that the aroma used in the top green layer left a slight bitterness; this taste came dominantly enough to suppress the other layers.
The pistachio filling was delicious, but if the amount were a little more, the balance of the cake could have been stronger.
Still, the atmosphere and presentation of the venue were quite attentive.
While sipping my tea, I felt that my Karaköy trip had come to a sweet end.
Final Words: GastroCafer’s Travel Route
These valuable hours I spent in Karaköy were not just a food tour for me; they also became GastroCafer’s first exploration step in the city.
At every stop, I found a different story, a different taste, and a different mood.
This experience reminded me of this:
Gastronomy is not only experienced in the kitchen; it is also experienced on the street, at the table, while waiting, and while walking.
Even within the lively crowd of Karaköy, every bite has a story, as long as we know how to listen.
Stay safe until the next stop!
Continue your gastronomy journey with: “Culinary Cinema” and “Turkish Butter Rice (Pilaf) Recipe“.
Cafer Can Yeşilyurt
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