Islak Hamburger @ Ozturkler Bufe, Istanbul, Turkey

A wet burger does not really sound appetising. But trust me it was delicious. After all, some people can forgive a  Sloppy Jo. So why not? The islak burger is a despicable chunk of gastronomy. Disgustingly cheap but somehow delicious. Contrarian yet comforting. It is a common street food meal option and it was something that I have never seen or heard before, until now.

The sun!!!!

There are many shops that sell this low end morsel, but mostly they reside in the heated buffet lines of pokey and tight kebab stands. And the one I went to is called Ozturkler Bufe, close to Taksim station. It was cramp, with limited seats and stuffy. It is as local as it gets.

Looks like brains in a row from one angle. 

Lets get things straight. This is not some cheap eats that is surprisingly beautiful or a hidden gem in some hard to find area. This stuff is wet. Like doused in ketchup wet. The bread is too soft, due to the steam coming out from the buffet line and the ketchup. The meat is basic, probably cheap cuts of beef, grounded with sinew and skin, and excessively flavoured. That is just it. Beef, bun, and a whole lot of mess. You can't ask more for TL 5 eh?

Well, at least the packaging is ok. 

Yet, despite such an unpleasant description, it was a sinfully enjoyable experience. The whole thing does not need any jaw power to go through. The mince was super tender, and explodes with garlic and onion flavour with some hint of rosemary on the sides. And the warmth of the bun does make your frosty hands feel someone comforted.

Say what? This is delicious!

Like how late night dollar slice pizzas work in parts of US and the doner in some dark corner of the East End, this is some culinary disaster that becomes a late night saviour for rough nights out. I have not truly experienced the nightlife of Turkey, well, not yet. But I was told that this is what people have after a hard night of crazy partying. And I can see why.

Another pic of the entrance. It was so small that I was not able to take any photos of the inside

As mentioned, there are tons of shops that sell this delectably awful piece of messy glory. But if you would like to try the small and pokey diner that I have went to, the address is as follows:

Siraselviler Cad. No:2/D Taksim, Beyoglu, Istanbul Turkey