651807 Sat Sep 12 05:26:31 -0700 2009 2 52 Turkey/Greece 0 5024106 Manti, Turkish dumplings, are the source of many a heated debate. Where's the best spot for manti? What is the best type of manti? etc. While trying to remain neutral I will list of few places with different sorts of manti as a starter to what I hope will be a great manti debate. 1. Traditional Kayseri Manti- typically a smaller dumpling with a light meat filling, boiled and topped with a garlic-spiked yogurt dressing. In Istanbul its easy to find a good handmade manti but Gonul Abla, over on the asian side in Moda takes it to another level. She makes it to order. http://istanbuleats.com/2009/09/gonul-abla-mighty-manti/ 2. Foreign Manti- two manti's come to mind in the category: Uighur manti, the big bindle stick variety stuffed with meat and onions. We found a great Uighur place in Fatih recently serving these up. And Circassian manti which look more like a pot sticker and are sometimes filled with a potato hash. These are excellent and hard to find. Ficcin in Beyoglu has them as a special sometimes. http://istanbuleats.com/2009/04/ficcin-the-caucasian-sensation/ http://istanbuleats.com/2009/08/dogu-turkistan-vakfi-as-evi-east-meets-east/ 3. Unorthodox Fried Manti- manti generally implies a boiled preparation. But why not fry them? Bodrum Manti in Arnavutkoy has thrown out all conventions- stuffing with spinach and cheese, wheat dough and large, fried manti. http://istanbuleats.com/2009/04/bodrum-manti-turkish-dumpling-delight/ I'd love to hear about your favorite manti experiences. I've inserted links to my favorites. Sat Sep 12 05:26:31 -0700 2009 242937 antman 1 5028412 I had a dinner with manti when in Istanbul recently, at Marko Pasa restaurant in Taksim. The manti are freshly made, a very short time before they're cooked. and are served with the "garlic-spiked yogurt dressing" you referenced in your remarks. What I enjoyed about this particular restaurant is the making of the food in the front window, front part of the restaurant and I was seated at a two-top on the opposite side of the glass from the women making the food. Photos of the manti I'm referring to can be found when you use this link: http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5084/istanbulrestaurantmarko.jpg A second link of the cooked dish malfunctioned and, by editing, I have deleted it. I'll try to upload it from home later today. Marko Pasa Istiklal Caddesi Sadri Alisik Sokak No. 8 Taksim - Beyoglu - Istanbul Tel: 212-252-80-80 Mon Sep 14 08:51:38 -0700 2009 5024106 181831 gomexico 2 5028492 Thanks for weighing in. Is that the place with the stuffed donkey out front? Never tried their manti but I've always been curious. I will give it a try this week and post up. Mon Sep 14 09:18:19 -0700 2009 5028412 242937 antman