Kumpir (Baked Potato)

Selling potatoes on the streets is nothing new – we have fries and chips everywhere but Istanbulites always have to take things to higher levels – potato not excluded. In Istanbul, there is this popular street food called kumpir, or loosely translated, “maxed out baked potato”.

Kumpir is definitely not your ordinary baked potato. It starts with a ginormous potato, which is sliced in the middle for a generous smearing of butter and cheese, and is finished off with an overwhelming assortment of toppings. Common toppings you’ll see at street stalls are corn, pickled vegetables, pickled beets, olives, hotdogs, kisir, and a dollop of yogurt.

Kumpir is great whenever you feel like just sitting and enjoying the refreshing Istanbul scenery.

Here are the best places to have kumpir in Istanbul:

• BEBEK WAFFLE & KUMPIR | Besiktas
  For kumpir you wouldn’t want to share
  What to order: Cheese kumpir, Karisik kumpir, Waffle
  Price range: 12 to 16 TRY ($3.42 to $4.56)
  When: 09:00 – 16:00 Daily
  Where: Bebek Mahallesi, Cevdetpasa Caddesi, No. 38/B, Besiktas, Istanbul
• PATATOS | Beyoglu
  For when you can’t decide whether to have doner, burger, or kumpir
  What to order: Chicken doner, Kumpir, Beef doner
  Price range: 8.50 – 17.50 TRY ($2.42 to $4.98)
  When: 24 Hours Daily
  Where: Tomtom Mahallesi, Istiklal Caddesi, No. 185/A, Beyoglu, Istanbul
• ORTAKOYLU KUMPIR EVI | Besiktas
  For kumpir with street cred
  What to order: Kumpir
  Price range: 15 TRY
  When: 09:00 – 16:00 Daily
  Where: Ortakoy Merkez Mahallesi, Mecidiye, Koprusu Sokak, No. 1/6, Besiktas, Istanbul