Istanbul Restaurant (04)2301-1397 177, Zhong Xing (Chunghsing) Street Hours：11:30 am-10:30 pm (closed Tuesdays) MOVE TO: (04) 2372-9203 105, WuQuan West 3rd Street Hours: 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5-10 pm (open to 3 pm holidays; no lunch Tuesdays) Credit cards accepted. 10% service charge.

Taichung's international dining scene has taken another significant step forward with the opening of the central Taiwan's first and only Turkish restaurant. Istanbul native Murat, who previously operated a Turkish restaurant in Taipei, has come to Taichung and opened a pleasant-looking 30-seat eatery which faces Peoples' Square (see Compass Canal District map). About a dozen main courses--all kebabs--come with bread, rice and vegetable. There is sliced-up Chicken Doner (NT$180), Durum Doner (chicken roll with pita bread) (NT$150), Kofte Kebab (minced lamb loaf) (NT$230), the spicy Yogurtlu Adana (minced beef or lamb with yogurt) (NT$300), and the big Mixed Kebab dish (NT$750), which has six kinds of kebab and feeds at least two or three. There are also the sish kebab dishes with barbecued chicken, beef or lamb on skewers. Week-day lunch specials (NT$200-400) also have an added soup and drink. Murat says that his lamb dishes are especially popular. Among appetizers are the popular Lentil Soup (NT$90), as well as Shepherd's Salad, Babakarnush (barbecued eggplant, onion, tomato, green pepper and garlic), and Cacik (also known in Greece as Tsatiki), a light, tasty mix of yogurt, cucumbers, garlic and peppermint. All food is Halal. Drinks include Turkish coffee and the traditional Ayram yogurt drink. There is no alcohol, but customers may bring their own.