Istanbul, an enchanting city where Europe and Asia intersect. While its charm as a tourist destination is endless, when you begin a long-term stay or study abroad in this city, there inevitably comes a moment when you yearn for the ‘taste of home’.
While kebabs, yogurt, and Turkish dishes rich in olive oil are delicious, soy sauce, sesame oil, and easy-to-prepare instant ramen are truly an oasis for the soul during life abroad. This article provides a deep dive into real shopping circumstances for local residents and students staying in Istanbul, covering everything from valuable supermarkets where you can find Asian ingredients, to local supermarkets that form the foundation of daily life, and bazaars where you can procure spices and dried goods cheaply.
Çin market 中国超市 China Market
📍 Address: Gümüşsuyu, Hariciye Konağı Sk. 3 A, 34437 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
If you’re craving the taste of Far East Asia and want to cook it yourself in Istanbul, the first place you should head to is ‘Çin market’ (中国超市). This well-known Asian supermarket is quietly nestled in the Gümüşsuyu district, close to Taksim Square, the heart of the New City.
The store is packed with Chinese ingredients, dried goods, canned foods, and spices, offering a wide range of essential seasonings for various Chinese cuisines like Cantonese, Sichuan, Shanghai, and Beijing. Beyond Chinese-origin ingredients, they also stock Korean ‘Shin Ramyun’, Japanese seasonings, and rice, making it a lifeline for long-term residents.
However, it’s common for the product selection at Turkish Asian supermarkets to change frequently due to import conditions. Even if an item you’re looking for is sold out, it’s not uncommon for a large quantity to arrive a few days later. Additionally, instant noodles can sometimes be crushed during transport, so a visual check before purchasing is essential. The large, affordable handmade tofu, which arrives daily, is very popular among residents.
The staff are likely Chinese, and detailed communication in Turkish or English might be challenging, but greeting them with ‘你好 (Nǐ hǎo)’ will usually make them very happy, which is part of the welcoming atmosphere.
MMM Migros
📍 Address: Caddebostan, Operatör Cemil Topuzlu Cd. No: 138, 34728 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
If you’re looking to source fresh produce and daily necessities for home cooking, you cannot overlook ‘Migros’, Turkey’s largest supermarket chain. The number of ‘M’s in Migros indicates the store’s size, with M, MM, and MMM denoting progressively larger stores. This ‘MMM Migros’, located near the Caddebostan coast in Kadıköy on the Asian side, a district known for its upscale residential areas, enjoys immense support as the kitchen of the local community.
The store offers everything you need for daily life, from freshly baked goods to fresh meat and seafood, and a wide variety of cheeses and olives. Turkish supermarkets, in particular, sell vegetables and fruits by weight, which is a great advantage for single dwellers and students, as you can buy just the amount you need. Herbs like dill and Italian parsley are also available in large quantities at unbelievably low prices compared to Japan.
The ‘meze’ (Turkish appetizers) in the deli section look vibrant and tempting, but some locals say the taste can be hit or miss, so it’s safer to try a small amount first. While it’s conveniently located for a stop after a walk along the coast, some services like ‘Click & Collect’ may end late at night, so it’s recommended to do your shopping earlier in the day.
MMM Migros – Akaretler Branch
📍 Address: Sınanpaşa Mah. Şaır Nedım Cad.No:5Beşıktaş, Vişnezade, 34353 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey
This is ‘MMM Migros’ in the Akaretler district of Beşiktaş, a vibrant area bustling with young people on the European side. It’s one of the most easily accessible large supermarkets from Istanbul’s city center, utilized by a wide range of people from local students to tourists.
The spacious and clean store offers not only fresh food but also daily necessities, cosmetics, and kitchenware. While it’s an everyday supermarket for residents, it’s also an excellent spot for souvenir shopping before returning home. Prices are clearer and more reasonable than at tourist bazaars or souvenir shops, making it ideal for buying snacks and Chai (Turkish tea) in bulk as gifts.
Particularly recommended is ‘Damak’, a chocolate produced by Nestlé exclusively for Turkey. It’s a chocolate bar generously filled with pistachios, and the white chocolate version is exceptionally delicious. Since you can buy it in large quantities at a fair price unique to local supermarkets, many residents fill their baskets with it when returning home temporarily.
Egyptian Bazaar
📍 Address: Rüstem Paşa, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Also known as the ‘Spice Bazaar’, the Egyptian Bazaar is one of Istanbul’s two major markets, alongside the Grand Bazaar. However, this one specializes more in ‘food’, with mountains of spices, dried fruits, nuts, lokum (Turkish delight), and teas.
It’s a valuable place for long-term residents to buy spices cheaply by the kilo, but prices in the main indoor arcade are often set for tourists, and aggressive touting is common. Many shopkeepers approach customers in friendly Japanese, and some shops, like ‘Edomacchan’s Shop’, are famous among Japanese travelers for safe shopping. However, there have been reports of trouble with unscrupulous shops overcharging credit cards (e.g., fraudulent charges of 12,000 JPY). When shopping, always double-check the exchange rate and the amount on the payment terminal yourself.
The local way to enjoy it is to explore the wholesale district (such as Kutucular Cd.) that spreads outside the bazaar. The aroma of roasting coffee beans, the lively atmosphere of locals shopping for daily necessities, and the sight of unique goods lining narrow alleys reveal Istanbul’s unvarnished true face. Note that during Ramadan (the fasting month), many shops close around 5 PM, so be sure to check opening hours for your visiting period.
Arasta Bazaar
📍 Address: Sultan Ahmet, Mimar Mehmetağa Cd. No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Located just south of the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is ‘Arasta Çarşısı’ (Arasta Bazaar). This hidden gem is highly recommended for those tired of the hustle and bustle of the Egyptian Bazaar or Grand Bazaar.
Although it’s a small bazaar with shops lining a short street, it’s not overcrowded with tourists, and touting is very subtle and calm. Many friendly shopkeepers offer samples of tea and sweets, allowing you to leisurely browse high-quality Turkish goods such as scarves, ceramics, carpets, and hammam products at your own pace.
Furthermore, Istanbul is famous as the ‘city of cats’, and Arasta Bazaar is no exception. In the tranquil atmosphere of the bazaar, you have a high chance of encountering resident cats confidently napping on merchandise or in the middle of pathways. It’s a blissful space not only for shopping but also for those who wish to gently interact with local felines.
Smart Shopping Strategies to Enrich Your Life in Istanbul
To make your long-term stay in Istanbul comfortable, the key is to effectively utilize ‘local supermarkets’, ‘specialty bazaars’, and ‘Asian supermarkets’. For heavy items like daily vegetables, water, and dairy products, it’s best to source them from large supermarkets like ‘Migros’ near your residence. Turkish supermarkets offer a wide range of private label products, allowing you to effectively manage living costs.
On the other hand, ingredients like spices, nuts, and olives are significantly fresher and more flavorful when bought by weight at bazaars or specialty stores (spice shops called ‘aktar’) on street corners, rather than pre-packaged in supermarkets. While it might be a bit challenging, learning a few basic Turkish greetings and communicating with shopkeepers while shopping is the quickest way to immerse yourself in the local food culture.
And by knowing the location of ‘Çin market’ as a go-to place when you inevitably miss Asian flavors, you can enjoy stress-free home cooking even during a long-term stay abroad. We hope this article helps you fully enjoy deep local shopping in Istanbul.
