Name: Turkish Fish Sandwich Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 6 mackerel fillets; 70ml light olive oil; 2 tsp flaky salt; 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp Aleppo chilli flakes or another mild chilli powder; 2 French baguettes, sliced lengthwise down the centre; Salad vegetables such as shredded lettuce, onions and tomato; Pickled chillies; 2 lemons, quartered; OPTIONAL SAUCE; 4 tbsp mayonnaise; 2 tbsp Turkish hot sauce or another hot sauce of choice

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This Turkish fish sandwich recipe is just like those served off boats in Istanbul.

It might be simple but this Turkish fish sandwich recipe is one of the best ways I know to make a fish sandwich. Also known as balık ekmek (literally “fish bread”), you simply have to try this popular street food when in Istanbul.

These fish sandwiches are iconic to the city and often enjoyed along the bustling waterfronts, especially near Eminönü and the Galata Bridge. Now, using this fish sandwich recipe, you can make them at home.

About this fish sandwich recipe.

You will find these Turkish fish sandwiches served in colourful, Ottoman-style traditional boats that are docked on the Bosphorus waterfront in Istanbul. The boats all have small kitchens where vendors cook fresh mackerel before piling the fish onto crusty loaves with salad vegetables. Mackerel is the star of the recipe. Only salt and lemon juice are served with the sandwiches though some nice restaurants get a bit fancier with their condiments.

You can fry or grill the fish and you are not limited to mackerel though that is what you will be most often served in Turkey. If you like, you can try the spicy and tangy sauce which I add to the traditional fish sandwich recipe which really takes it all up a level.

Where can you experience the traditional fish sandwich?

Eminönü: This area is European side on the Bosphorus by the Galata Bridge and it is one of the most popular places to enjoy the sandwich. You’ll see several boats serving freshly grilled fish sandwiches and I have shown them below.
Kadıköy (on the Asian side): Offers a slightly quieter, less touristy but equally authentic experience.

What ingredients do you need to make this recipe?

Mackerel: You could also use fillets of other fish such as sea bass or bream.
Bread: Use crusty Turkish bread if you can get it though a baguette will work fine.
Accompaniments: The fish sandwiches are topped with fresh salad vegetables such as lettuce, sliced onions and tomato.
Additional Toppings: Although not part of the original sandwich, you can cook the fish fillets with dry spices such as cumin, Aleppo chilli flakes and other fish seasonings. The sandwiches can also be served with a tangy sauce which is what I do in my recipe below.

Can you personalise this fish sandwich recipe?

Of course. I do it all the time and this recipe is also a personalised version. The fish sandwiches you find in Istanbul usually don’t come with any sauce but I like it that way so in it goes.

Can you store leftovers in the fridge?

Yes but it’s best to do so before building the sandwiches. Store the cooked fish on a plate and wrap it tightly. It will keep nicely for 1 to 2 days. You can store the chopped salad vegetables and any sauce you prepare in the same way.

Then you can reheat the fish and bread in a pan or in your oven or air fryer set to 200°C/400°F until hot.

How do you purchase the freshest fish for this recipe?

Freshness is the key to success when making this fish sandwich recipe. In Istanbul, the fish is about as fresh as you can get it and the fish is the most important part of the sandwich! Following is a list of things to consider when purchasing fresh mackerel or other fish fish for that matter.

Whole Fish vs. Fillets: I recommend purchasing whole fish as it is easier to see if it is fresh. I purchased whole fish and filleted them myself but a good fish monger will do that for you.
Appearance: The fish should have smooth and shiny skin. In the case of mackerel, the skin should also have a metallic appearance and should be shiny and not at all dull. They eyes should be bright and clear and not cloudy and sunken. The fish should also be firm when you press it with your finger. It should bounce back when you do this, If it leaves an indentation, the fish ain’t fresh!
Smell: The fish should smell fresh like the sea. If it smells at all fishy, don’t buy it.

Step by step photographs.

The ingredients for the recipe laid out on a countertop.

Get all of your ingredients ready before you start cooking. It’s easier that way.

Frying the fish fillets coated with the spices in olive oil in a frying pan.

Rub all of the fish fillets equally with salt, pepper, Aleppo chilli flakes and cumin. Heat some olive oil over a medium heat and fry for about 3 minutes, skin side down.

Frying the fish fillets skin side up in the pan.

After about 3 minutes, flip the fillets over to cook the other side. Continue cooking until cooked through. Repeat with all the fish and then keep warm.

Toasting the break in a little olive oil in the pan.

Toast the bread in a little olive oil. It really adds to the flavour and this extra step is not done in Istanbul.

Building the fish sandwich by adding fish, sauce and vegetables to the toasted bread.

Mix the mayonnaise and hot sauce and slather it over the bread halves. Then add the fish and salad vegetables. I like to double stack the fish.

Turkish fish sandwich on a serving board.

Fish sandwiches don’t get much better than this!

About the Istanbul Fish Sandwich Experience.

Following are a few photos of our Istanbul fish sandwich experience.

Three traditional boats where the fish sandwiches are prepared.

The traditional boats docked and serving fresh fish sandwiches.

My wife and I dining at one of the fish sandwich boats.

Caroline and I loved sitting there on the small stools and enjoying our fish sandwiches on the water. The place was busy and it was fun to watch the chefs cook up the meals.

There is always lots of fish being prepared for the customers.

A chef preparing a fish sandwich for a customer.

The chefs make each sandwich on the boat when people order them. We’re talking fresh!

Passing a prepared fish sandwich from the boat to a server on the land.

As each sandwich is ready, they are passed from the boat to the server on the land.

When you order, you will get something like this.

If you like this Turkish fish sandwich recipe, you might like to try some of these seafood recipes too.

Have you tried this Turkish fish sandwich recipe?

If so, please give it a star rating in the comments below and leave a comment. I love receiving your feedback and I’m sure other readers of my blog do too. Thank you.

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Yield: 4 - 6