İskender Kebab
Bursa, Türkiye
İskender kebab uses thin slices of döner-style meat over pieces of pide, topped with tomato sauce and browned butter and served with yogurt. The bread absorbs the sauce, while the meat stays savory and the yogurt supplies a cool contrast.
Why locals eat it
The dish is associated with Bursa rather than Istanbul, but it is widely eaten in Istanbul as part of the city’s kebab-house culture. Calling it a Bursa specialty matters: Istanbul offers the dish, but does not erase its regional identity.
Local tip
Ask whether the meat is lamb, beef or a blend, and wait for the butter to be poured at the table if offered. The plate is rich, so yogurt and plain bread are useful counterpoints.
Typically made with
Lamb döner, Pide bread, Tomato sauce, Sheep's butter, Yogurt, Grilled peppers. Recipes vary — always check with the vendor if you have allergies.