 |
| The mumbar- stuffed intestines at Sultan Sofrasi |
The Case for Kunefe: Why is too sweet never too sweet
Hatay is right next to Syria. A multi-cultural hub, the interaction of different cultures + close proximity to Syria = amazing amazing food. We visited Hatay last summer. The purpose of our visit was for research. My father spoke very highly of the cuisine. I arrived with dreams of eating as much kunefe as possible not realizing how sweet it actually is. What we ended up doing was a trip of eating. The focus of the review is on Antakya- the main hub/historic center of Hatay.
 |
| This is the infamous cake like kunefe of Hatay. You can try it anywhere. They are all good. It could be too sweet but in this case the too sweet kunefe = perfection. |
What to Do/Eat
Eat breakfast at Petek Pastanesi in the center. The Hatay breakfast is simple and amazing. It consists of combination of fresh kaymak (a Turkish sweet cream), honey and olives. It is simple and tasty.
Eat lunch or dinner at Sultan Sofrasi. We went there once and we wanted to go back everyday. It is a selection of best Hatay cuisine has to offer. You have to order the icli kofte (kibosh - a bulgur covered stuffed meatball) and the mumbar here (stuffed intestines with meat). You will not go wrong with anything you order. If you are not a drinker Sultan Sofrasi is also amazing for dinner. They do not serve alcohol.Also click here if you speak Turkish for an episode at this restaurant by my father.
 |
| Amazing yoghurt soup at Sultan Sofrasi with a little kibbeh on top |
Stroll through the Bazaar area. There are amazing finds One day for lunch we came across a Humus place.It is called Meshur Humuscu Nedim Usta. Ask around. They only do a couple mezes. You should watch the way in which they make hummus pretty. They are small establishments in back alleys.
 |
| You have to try the hummus garnished when ordered. It is amazing. |
When at the bazaar, ask for the kunefe spot- apparently there is an amazing one no one can remember the name of.(Cinaralti Kunefe at Ayakkabicilar Carsisi) Also at the bazaar-- look at the many little vendors. If in the mood to shop by the areas famous cokelek (a cheese and spice mixture)
 |
| Stroll through the Bazaar area. Great sightseeing with tons of small food hubs. |
At night -go to Anadolu Restaurant- a big touristic restaurant in an alley. They also have all the basic staples of Antakya cuisine. They serve alcohol. Don't be turned off by the foreign flags. They host foreigners but they also do a good job with the food. The kebabs are to die for.
Another night- try Leban Restaurant-(Gazipaşa Caddesi No:5Tel: +903262134255 +90 326 215 35 11
Gsm: +90 532 566 46 83) next to the Orthodox church. They have live music on the weekends and great staple mezes (muhammara and hummus is amazing at Hatay). It is interesting- the night life of Hatay is in the top floor of the buildings. Overlooking the city, couple glasses of rake, inhale the warm breeze. Do not over eat because….
 |
| Try Ali Nazik - a kebab consisting of tangy yoghurty eggplants topped small chopped lamb at Leban Restaurant |
You are going to end the night with kunefe. Although it would be better to begin the day. The kunefe here are baked in a large pan. You get a slice and a big pot of water. It is as sweet as a desert gets. Henceforth, it will also as sweet as your life will get (if you are into deserts)
Other things to do besides eating
A day trip to Iskenderun (The waterside) would be nice. I have not been but heard.
Take a day-to night trip to Samandag. Samandag is famous for its silk. So go for silk + scarf shopping. At Samandag go to Harbiye- it is a small down by a waterfall. The silk vendors are there as well. Pick a restaurant by the waterfalls and have dinner. The one we went to was Yeni Bahar Restaurant. The food is good the view is amazing.
 |
| This is the muhammara at a restaurant at Samandag-- perfect combination of spices, red peppers and wallnut! |
Where to Stay?
The Buyuk Antakya Hotel is supposed to be good. We stayed at Narin Hotel- centrally located and has a good breakfast. It has clean big rooms with working ACs.
What to Think @ Hatay?
When consuming the food at Sultan Sofrasi ask yourselves... why can't I stop and how much more can I eat?
When watching the hummus artist garnish your hummus ask yourself- why so much care put into something so simple? What is the value of making the already more made-up?
When having the kunefe - ask yourselves how many times in sequence can you indulge in eating this desert. Can you keep eating something so good but so sweet?