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Dondurma in Istiklal Street

Dondurma or a Magical Turkish Icecream

June 15, 2014 By Jan Robinson 19 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


If you see a vendor dressed in Turkish Costume in Istiklal Caddesi or other places in Istanbul, beating his stainless steel tubs with a metre long icecream scoop, you have found the Dondurma or Icecream man.

Turkish Icecream has an additional two ingredients – Salep and Mastic.

Salep is flour made from the Early Purple Orchid that thickens the mixture.

Mastic is a resin that imparts chewiness to the mix.

Not surprisingly Dondurma has a sticky chewy consistency that doesn’t melt easily.  The perfect combination to encourage magic tricks.

Just know that buying an icecream from the Dondurma Man is not going to be a straight-forward transaction. 

The icecream arrives in your hand, then it disappears leaving you holding an empty cone or wrapper.  In the next few minutes it will be twisted, turned and twirled in front of both you and the growing crowd.  Just relax and enjoy and when you least expect it, the icecream will be yours to keep.

The crowd laughs, claps and disperses.  You have just had your first starring role in a well-rehearsed piece of Turkish street theatre – time to eat your reward.

The Dondurma Man

Dondurma in Istiklal Street

Have you purchased Icecream from the Dondurma man?

For more visit Corinne at Reflections Enroute for Weekend Travel Inspiration.

 

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Filed Under: Food to Love, Turkey

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

Previous Post: «Frescoes on the outer walls of the main chapel at Sumela Monastery Sumela Monastery and the last day of our Eastern Turkey Road Trip Day 8
Next Post: The sights of Istanbul from the Kadikoy Ferry Maidens Tower Istanbul»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Muza-chan

    June 15, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    Delicious…

    Reply
  2. Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats

    June 15, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    I’ve never been to Turkey or heard about the Turkish ice cream tricks. Very interesting:)

    Reply
  3. Michael

    June 15, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    I love watching the dondurma man even though I have seen it a hundred times before. Have to say though, I do prefer a cornetto!

    Reply
  4. Corinne

    June 15, 2014 at 11:52 pm

    Jan, I love the dondurma man! Every person going to Turkey should definitely buy some Turkish ice cream, which as you mention has a completely different consistency than other ice creams. It’s delicious and you get a show! Also, if you happen to be in Turkey in the winter, you can try salep (the orchid) drink. It’s served hot with cinnamon and quite tasty!

    Reply
  5. Corinne

    June 15, 2014 at 11:53 pm

    Jan, This is a fantastic post to link to Weekend Travel Inspiration. Thanks for linking up!

    Reply
  6. jenny@atasteoftravel

    June 16, 2014 at 9:49 am

    Nothing beats turkish icecream with or without the show!

    Reply
    • Jan

      June 16, 2014 at 10:46 am

      Ha ha so True 🙂

      Reply
  7. David

    June 16, 2014 at 10:49 am

    I haven’t, because I’m afraid what I’ll look like a fool trying to order from a guy like this! It’s amusing to watch though!

    Reply
    • Jan

      June 16, 2014 at 11:14 am

      Oh! I guess it is all in your own attitude as to whether you would enjoy it or not 🙂

      Reply
  8. Rhonda Albom

    June 16, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    Yes. I didn’t know what he was called, but I did get the ice cream in Istanbul.

    Reply
    • Jan

      June 17, 2014 at 5:42 pm

      Good on you, did you get the street performance too?

      Reply
  9. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    June 17, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    I’ve heard of chewy Turkish ice cream but didn’t realize that there was a whole show involved. I want to try it!

    Reply
    • Jan

      June 17, 2014 at 5:39 pm

      Your kids would love it too Michele 🙂

      Reply
  10. Jess @UsedYorkCity

    June 20, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    Oh I need to give this a try!!! Pretty huge fan of ice cream, but this seems extra special:-)

    Reply
    • Jan

      June 20, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      Definitely worth a try Jess, great flavours.

      Reply
  11. Joy

    October 23, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    Thank you for this entertaining post. The ice cream arrives in your hand, then it disappears leaving you holding an empty cone or wrapper. Awesome!

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 24, 2015 at 8:22 am

      An act of magic for sure. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Galata is the best place for a first time stay in Istanbul says:
    January 27, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    […] Caddesi. This street is the beating heart of Istanbul with it’s ever changing mix of buskers, Dondurma Icecream Magicians, historic tram, restaurants or atmospheric lanes that beg exploration and a perfectly […]

    Reply
  2. Ten Reasons Plus One to Visit Istanbul | Budget Travel Talk says:
    August 22, 2017 at 9:46 am

    […] is there to stop for that tulip glass of tea, or nostalgic turkish coffee, or to partake in a Dondurma Magic Act. After all is said and done, the only reason anyone needs to visit Istanbul are those everyday yet […]

    Reply

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