Where is Eminönü Plaza?
The plaza is located on the Eminönü side of Galata Bridge in Istanbul.
It’s all about the spectacle.
On board the boats are huge BBQ plates and multiple cooks – cooks who don’t suffer from motion sickness. Eminonu is a busy ferry port and waves from passing traffic cause the boats to rock and roll like crazy. Adding to the theatre are waiters dressed in fancy costumes from the Ottoman era. In a strange way it all reminds me of a german beer hall – minus the stein carrying maids of course.
Is it Safe to Eat here?
There is no need to worry about the freshness of the fish as these boats churn out thousands of fish fillets daily.
The Experience.
Belik Emek is Turkish for Fish Sandwich. Each fillet is served on a crusty oblong roll with onion and lettuce for 6tl each. Clutching your Belik Emek, jostle your way through the crowds of scull cap wearing men and scarfed Turkish ladies to secure a barrel and stool. Next buy a plastic cup full of lurid pickled cabbage topped with a gherkin from a stall out the front. After the sandwich (mind the bones) and pickles (drink the juice – I dare you) hunt down a stall selling fried dough balls swimming in sweet liquid with a sprinkle of pistachio green.
Other Venues.
A more low key and authentic location to grab a fish sandwich is at the fish market on the other side of the Galata bridge, or you could
Venture to the bottom floor of Galata Bridge where the restaurant touts will lure you in to try their version.
Wherever you get it from, Balik Emek is an unmissable Istanbul food experience.
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Wow! The colors and shimmer of the area is amazing. 🙂 What a fun and unique place to eat.
So Kitsch, but So Fun 🙂
Balik Ekmek was one of my favourite snacks wen we were in Istanbul…it certainly is unmissable! The pickle juice man here is a classic!
I was so surprised by the purpley pickle juice, but it does work in a lurid kind of way 🙂
I love your blog! This post brings back memories of Istanbul, although we didn’t eat here. What a great city!
Thanks Beth, that is nice to know 🙂 Istanbul is the most intriguing city I have been to – well Marrakech was as well 🙂
I grew up essentially boating on the water. We were always out on the Delta or foothill lakes in California. Good thing the cooks don’t get sea sick as long as I wouldn’t. I’ve only had that experience once…and it was misery I’ll never forget. So, fish fillets on the water? Yes, please sign me up Jan! 🙂
We have two boats, a small tinny for up the creeks and a bigger one for the ocean. We go snorkelling on coral reefs and fishing and are very lucky to have whales, turtles, dugong, and occasionally dolphins also. So we are very much water people, but I do get sea sick sometimes when we are anchored, and that is the worst feeling ever. I can tell you Mike I think I would get sea sick on these BBQ boats, the rocking is so constant!
never seen anything like that!! A boat that cooks fresh food….yep heaven on earth 🙂
Love the idea of eating something on a place that can move, and all the decorations – gorgeous.
Did you eat on one of the boats?
Only the cooks are on the boats Lisa. We ate at one of the barrels on the water’s edge. It was a fun experience.