Midye dolma (stuffed mussels)
Photo: E4024 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Black-shell mussels stuffed with spiced rice, currants, pine nuts and cinnamon, served from street trays with a wedge of lemon for one lira a piece.

A Greek and Armenian Istanbul tradition rooted in the late Ottoman period, midye dolma is sold by hand-cart sellers across Beyoğlu, Karaköy and Eminönü. The mussels come from the Bosphorus and Marmara, stuffed with pilaf perfumed with cinnamon, allspice, currants and pine nuts and steamed until the shells barely open. The street version remains the canonical one, eaten while standing at the cart with a squeeze of lemon. Most restaurant attempts undersell the spice mix.

1 editor pick for Midye dolma (stuffed mussels) in Istanbul, ranked by editorial score. All Istanbul signature dishes · Midye dolma (stuffed mussels) across every city.

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