Balik ekmek is one of those Turkish street food delicacies that conquers not only local palates but also those of foreign travelers. It is a truly simple dish and in this post we tell you everything you need to know about it: what it is, what it contains, where it can be eaten…
What balik ekmek is and what it means
Balik ekmek is a sandwich that literally means fish bread. You will likely see it advertised at numerous street food stalls and popular restaurants, as it is one of the most deeply rooted dishes in the local gastronomic culture, thanks to the thousands of kilometers of coastline (along the Aegean, Mediterranean, Marmara, and Black seas) and the traditional fishing heritage.
In fact, it is believed that the origin of this simple sandwich lies in the fishermen’s intention to earn additional income from their work: they would allocate some of their catch for direct sale to consumers at the dockside, after grilling said fish and easily placing it between two slices of bread. Or, perhaps, they were sandwiches they could eat themselves upon returning to land for that very reason: a simple, instant, and tasty preparation.
What balik ekmek contains
From the above explanation, it is understood that the two main ingredients of balik ekmek are bread and fish. The bread is not the pide bread type, but rather a loaf similar to a Western baguette, with a very consistent interior so that it can hold the fish juices and the sandwich filling without breaking.
Regarding the fish, the favorite is undoubtedly mackerel, which is abundant in Turkish waters and ideal for eating in a sandwich, given its meatiness and almost total absence of bones. Furthermore, once grilled, its flavor and texture reach the perfect point for a sandwich. In fact, balik ekmek is often known as a mackerel sandwich. However, other fish can also be used, such as bonito, or even anchovies.
As for the rest of the filling, balik ekmek usually uses vegetables, with the perfect triad being lettuce, onion (white or red), and tomato, the latter cut into slices. To ensure the sandwich has the perfect level of juiciness, a light dressing is usually made with lemon juice and a condiment such as sumac, where the onion is left to marinate. Additionally, a spicy touch can be added by including chili peppers like piparra. Occasionally, these pickles are offered in a separate bowl to snack on between bites.
Where you can eat balik ekmek
Balik ekmek is a very popular sandwich throughout Turkey, so you will find it across almost the entire tourist geography. Naturally, in coastal cities, it is traditional to eat it on board a small boat moored at the dock, thus creating a complete experience. But inland, it is also common to find it in popular restaurants or in establishments along riverbanks.
But undoubtedly, the most attractive place to taste balik ekmek is in Istanbul, specifically on boats moored in the Bosphorus Strait or the Golden Horn. In both the European and Asian parts, for example in the ports of Eminonu or Kadikoy, many Turks and tourists enjoy this gastronomic experience that is as simple as it is traditional.
Therefore, it will not be difficult for you to find a good balik ekmek in Turkey, without even needing to book, as it is a dish of immediate, almost instinctive choice, motivated largely by the characteristic aroma of grilled mackerel.
