The Chinese cuisine may have made the dumplings a world famous dish, but its Turkish version, known as mantı (or mantu in Arabic-speaking countries), deserves as much fame. Although it is sometimes referred to as Turkish ravioli due to its similarity to the famous Italian dish, this filling and delicious dish is historically attributed to the Turkic people and is believed to originate from the Uyghur Turks in China. The dish is prevalent all throughout the Turkish, Azerbaijani, Caucasian, Circassian, Central Asian, Chinese Islamic, and Hejaz cuisines. It is traditionally made using spiced meat mixture wrapped in dough and boiled, steamed or fried. In Turkey, the city of Kayseri in middle Anatolia is believed to be the home of the best tasting mantı. However, you don’t have to go that far, because Istanbul has its fair share of great mantı restaurants. Here are a few that are definitely worth a try, if you want to taste this time-honored food made according to various traditional and innovative recipes.

Aşkana Mantı, Ulus

With a name originating from the Tatar word for “kitchen” and a capacity for a maximum of 30-35 people, this tiny place serves some of the best tasting mantı and raw börek (deep fried paper-thin dough with minced meat) in the city. It’s located in Ulus, an area full of luxury apartments and houses that accommodate the rich and famous of Istanbul. They are closed on Tuesdays and don’t accept credit cards.

Guşef Mantı, Üsküdar

This is one of the best places on the Asian side that offers both Circassian and Kayseri style mantı, so make sure you leave enough room in your belly to try them both. The neighborhood is one of the most central residential zones in Üsküdar, close to hospitals and the seaside, which makes it a popular option for those planning to invest in real estate in Istanbul.

Casita, Etiler

Casita is where you go to try a special type of fried mantı called feraye. Get the trio platter that offers small portions to taste Feraye, Temel Feraye (with spinach and cheese) and Carina vegetarian together. This 30 year-old restaurant has 9 branches around Istanbul, but the Etiler location is the one most frequented by celebrities, who live in and around the area. Aptly, the area is full of luxury properties and is also home to the famous Akmerkez, one of Istanbul’s oldest and best malls.  

Hingal Mantı, Çamlıca

The various Dagestan style mantı options at this place may seem confusing at first, simply because there are so many innovative versions being offered. Natural coloring agents are used to make these colorful delicacies including blue mantı with vegetables, black mantı with salmon, white-green mantı with meat and nettle, brown mantı with cheese and coffee and red mantı with meat and hot spices. Çamlıca neighborhood is also one of the must-see places in Istanbul, being one of the highest hills in the city with a majestic view of the Bosphorus. Along with many luxury properties for sale, the real attraction of this area is the mosque currently being built. Aiming for a July 2016 opening, it will be the biggest mosque in Turkey with a capacity of 37500 people. 

Fıccın, Beyoğlu

Our final recommendation is a Circassian style restaurant in Taksim, Beyoğlu. Every single dish on their menu is quite tasty, but they are most famous for the Circassian börek Fıccın, that gives the restaurant its name and of course their delicious meat or potato-filled mantı. Located just a stone’s throw from Galatasaray Square, on a narrow street opposite the St. Antoine church, the restaurant is perfect for a relaxing lunch during a busy day of shopping on Istiklal Street.