Historic Dish (Çiğköfte) Cooking & Dining w/Music at Local Home
Overview
According to a Şanlıurfa -a city in Southeastern Turkiye- legend çiğ köfte was invented during the time of Prophet Abraham, when fires were forbidden. Unable to cook meat, people kneaded it by hand with bulgur, minced meat and spices, creating the earliest version of the dish.
Today, its vegetarian version is widely known as street food, but çiğ köfte is traditionally prepared at home as a social ritual. Family and friends gather around, talk, watch, listen to music and take part in the kneading.
During this experience, you’ll prepare çiğ köfte with locals, learn the traditions behind it, and share the meal together.
Come as a guest, leave as a friend!
What's Included
- Tea and coffee Coffee and/or Tea
- Dinner Traditional Dinner Night
Meeting Location
Barbaros
Ferdi Üner Sk. No:10, 34662 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Çiğ Köfte is one of the most popular street food in Turkey. However, originally, Çiğ Köfte has a very authentic and traditional concept of cooking.
As a southeastern dish from the city Urfa, Çiğ Köfte kneading is organised with big groups of people where some of the people would knead the Çiğ Köfte and the rest would play and sing music behind.
At this experience, you will come visit us at our home. We will start with describing the ingredients and special spices of Çiğ Köfte. Although we aim to teach you how to prepare Çiğköfte, the better thing we aim is to teach you the concept, the tradition and culture of Çiğköfte.
After warming up and making you actually feel at home, we will sit together and start kneading Çiğköfte together, as much as you wish to participate. There is various jokes and ways of testing the taste and the intensity of Çiğköfte. Of course, we will keep them to tell during our time together.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- By booking, you accept this waiver. This experience is not wheelchair accessible. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, contact us before the experience. I acknowledge that participating in this LokalBond experience involves inherent risks including physical activity, travel, and interaction with unknown environments, which may result in personal injury or property damage. My participation is entirely voluntary and I may withdraw at any time. I certify I am in good health and will inform LokalBond of any health changes prior to the experience. I assume all risks involved and release LokalBond, its owners, employees, agents, and hosts from any claims or liabilities arising from my participation. I agree to indemnify LokalBond from any related claims or damages. This waiver is governed by Turkish law. I have read and fully understand these terms and agree to them voluntarily.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Historic Dish (Çiğköfte) Cooking & Dining w/Music at Local Home?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-402556P5
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Reviews
Average 4.83 out of 5 stars based on 23 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
- Tea and coffee. Coffee and/or Tea.
- Dinner. Traditional Dinner Night.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Historic Dish (Çiğköfte) Cooking & Dining w/Music at Local Home is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Historic Dish (Çiğköfte) Cooking & Dining w/Music at Local Home will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Tea and coffeeCoffee and/or Tea
- DinnerTraditional Dinner Night
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- By booking, you accept this waiver. This experience is not wheelchair accessible. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, contact us before the experience. I acknowledge that participating in this LokalBond experience involves inherent risks including physical activity, travel, and interaction with unknown environments, which may result in personal injury or property damage. My participation is entirely voluntary and I may withdraw at any time. I certify I am in good health and will inform LokalBond of any health changes prior to the experience. I assume all risks involved and release LokalBond, its owners, employees, agents, and hosts from any claims or liabilities arising from my participation. I agree to indemnify LokalBond from any related claims or damages. This waiver is governed by Turkish law. I have read and fully understand these terms and agree to them voluntarily.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
