Turkey: Bursa – Iskander Kebap

Food is an essential partt of exploring a country, and once we got to the historic Bursa, we set on trying the famous local specialty – Iskander kebap. The dish is famous and popular all over northwestern Turkey and was actually invented here in Bursa in late 19th century by a local nobility, named Iskander Efendi. There are two restaurants in Bursa that specialize on one and one thing only – Iskander kebap. It’s almost like a New York experience – a tiny hole-in-a-wall place with just a few tables, crowded with celebrities, and a menu that consist of only one item. So what is the Iskander kebap? The dish consists of traditional Turkish doner kebap made from thinly-cut fire-grilled lamb/mutton, then topped with hot tomato-based sauce and served over pieces of grilled pita bread and then all soaked with a generous portion of melted sheep butter and yogurt. Yes, it’s potentially heart-attack inducing but it’s sooooo delicious!