TOURING ISTANBUL: The Spice Bazaar
Vendor cutting Turkish Delight for sampling at the Turkish Spice Bazaar.
Dear Foodie Fam,
Many locals shop at the Spice Bazaar or pass between markets outside it’s walls.
Confectionaries found at the Spice Bazaar.
After eating balik ekmek at the Eminönü end of the Galata Bridge, head South to the Spice Bazaar to feed the rest of your senses.
The L-shaped stone and brick complex of 86 stores is the second largest covered shopping complex in the world (the Grand Bazaar is the first). It’s also called the Egyptian Bazaar because it once housed goods shipped from Egypt.
Neat rows of heaping, colorful piles of spices, sweets, nuts and dried plants line the walkway of this sensory safari.
With construction starting in 1660, the market is an enchanting example of Ottoman architecture. The shops within the bazaar paid for the upkeep of a mosque it was once housed in.
The Spice Bazaar is still definitely the center of Spice trade, today. Realistically, though, the majority of the shops here sell more than spices and herbs.
Typical section of the Spice Bazaar.
DEETS:
Bartering does not happen, here. It’s much quieter than the Grand Bazaar.
Yet, Vendors are more engaging here than at the Grand Bazaar. They stand outside shops donning white coats and plastic gloves. Many definitely call to you. We are Asian, so vendors often called to us using various Asian-language greetings or simply by calling out the race they thought we were.
Plan your trip to the Spice Bazaar with it’s hours in mind (based on the traditional hours: sunrise to sunset).
Bring home treasures that are harder to obtain elsewhere: Sumac, Pul Biber, Nar Ekşisi, Çörek otu, Iranian Saffron.
Many vendors can pack your spices airtight for you.
I wish I’d thought to look up traditional home remedies and medicinal herbs before going! It would have been fun to get some of these, here.
Keep in mind that teas and confections may be cheaper in surrounding shops than within the Bazaar.
Slice of honey comb in a Spice Bazaar confectionary shop.
Products:
There’s always renovation projects somewhere in the Turkish markets.
bark
baskets
cheeses
dried flowers
dried fruits
fishmongers (Northern outer wall)
flower seeds
Fresh flower shops (Southern outer wall)
furniture
groceries
herbal teas
home remedies
honey
jewelry
leaves
meats
nuts
peels
perfume
pet shops (Southern outer wall)
roots
spices
steems
Turkish delight
Turkish coffee
A tray of rose flavored Turkish Delight sitting outside the Spice Bazaar. It sits on top of a glass case holding golden kitchen ware.