An exotic taste of Turkey at 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.

---By Jessica Chia Translated by Uvia Chang

Although small and modest in size, Istanbul Restaurant adds the unique facet of Turkish dining to Taichung's international restaurant scene. The owner, a native Turk, opened a little more than a year ago because he found dining in Taiwan inconvenient for Muslims, who do not eat pork. Since then, Istanbul has been offering delicious food to all who seek something different and exotic.
Turkish food represents the third-largest class of cuisine in the world and is a unique combination of East and West. It is also quite healthy, as one waitress assured me that all the dishes served at Istanbul are cooked with olive oil.

The main dishes here center around chicken, beef and, of course, lamb. Recommended is the Beyti Kebab, a surprising combination of various flavors that, when combined, is perfect. The dish features mutton wrapped in a pita-type bread, sliced into numerous bite-sized portions lavished with tomato sauce and sour yogurt for some extra oomph. Other popular main dishes include the BBQ Chicken and the Yogurtlu Adana (mutton served with yogurt). Main courses are all priced between about NT$300 and NT$400, with set meal options including soup and tea or coffee.

Appetizers range from yogurt to eggplant salad, all reasonably priced between NT$100 and NT$200. As for the desserts, a waitress enthusiastically stated that their rice pudding is extremely popular among diners and an absolute must when eating at Istanbul. Turkish ice cream is available as well.
The menu was recently expanded and now features an additional four appetizers and two new main courses. The new appetizers include two salads, Ezme (a spicy tomato starter), and a mushroom dish. Also available is "Sac Kavurmas"--meat dishes--prepared with chicken or beef, cooked with green peppers, onions, tomatoes and other vegetables.

Istanbul is set on quiet ZhongXing Street, opposite People's Square. Although the restaurant only seats about a couple dozen people, its interior provides a cozy atmosphere where diners can appreciate Turkish music and decor while consuming savory dishes for a truly authentic experience.