Istanbul Cuisine
** What is Istanbul Cuisine Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium and later, Constantinople, before it was renamed Istanbul, is a city with a rich history that spans millennia and encompasses several empires. Due to its unique geographic location, straddling both Europe and Asia, and its historical significance as the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul's cuisine is a fusion of tastes, ingredients, and techniques from various regions. Key Features of Istanbul Cuisine: Diverse Influences: The food in Istanbul has been influenced by various cultures, including Central Asian (from the Turkic migration), Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan cuisines due to the vast territorial expanse of the Ottoman Empire. Seafood: Being surrounded by the sea (the Bosphorus Strait, the Golden Horn, and the Sea of Marmara), seafood plays a prominent role in Istanbul's cuisine. Grilled mackerel (balık ekmek) sandwiches, fried horse mackerel, and various othe...