Istanbul Grand Bazar World's First Shopping Mall

Assalam o Alaikum! In Grip on Trip's new episode, I have come to the famous bazar of Istanbul which is the oldest bazar in the world. This is about 550 years old market with about 4000 covered shops in 60, 61 streets. You find everything here from cultural items to latest materials. There jewellry and sweets are very popular. Nusret Steak House is at the corner of this bazar. The ending of this episode will be amazing. Stay with me the ending of this episode is going to be amazing. Let's see the interior and what they are selling in shops. 

Istanbul Grand Bazar World's First Shopping Mall

Their lamps are very famous. They do not let you take pictures but we will today. Stay with me. Grand Bazar is in the European part of Istanbul. You can reach there from Sultan Ahmed while walking. You can reach from Eminonu in 12 to 15 minutes walk. Grand Bazar is the first shopping mall of the world which was built about 565 years ago. It houses more than 4000 shops 250K to 4K people visit it daily. In 2014, more than 90 million people visited this bazar which is world record of step in in a shopping mall. It offers enormous variety for shopping and gifts. If you come with your wife, you will be in trouble. Come alone like me. There is great variety of gifts like clothes, jewelry, decoration and art pieces.

Train Engine Cabin view | Pakistan Railway

 You feel like buying everything. It contains grams of different types, pistachio they are packed in one batter. It has chocolate flavor. Something red is also here which I don't know about but variety is unlimited and beyond grasp. Look at the variety of tea and qahwa here. What's its name brother? It's Turkish delight called Lokum. Budget is limited but he is asking to but 5kg each. He has come to know that Malik Riaz has arrived from Pakistan. We got some free eateries from other shops. We have bought something like chocolate with almond inside. We liked that and got it. They build a structure 5 and half century before and it is so good for light and air and for peoples congestion. People cannot get stuck here because you find a turn or a roundabout on short distances and people disperse. 

Istanbul Grand Bazar World's First Shopping Mall

Turkish guy speaking Urdu. You heard that. They recognize us from our faces. They directly speak Urdu without asking that if we are Pakistanis. Honey shops are closed due to Covid-19. The interior and utensils of these shops are very interesting. They convince you in a stylish way to buy honey. We have come to this brother. We see him cutting meat often. He is from Nusrat Steak House and there are his posters. 

Let's see how he shows us his talent of sprinkling salt. He sprinkles salt like this and when you see their bill, you sit like this. They have 5, 6 branches in Istanbul and one in Dubai and New York each. I heard last year that they are planning to open steak house in Karachi but there's no conformation. You may have to wait because of rush of customers. It's not peak time, I think we will find some place. We have ordered our food. Mashallah even the starters of this steak house cost 500 Liras. We weren't much hungry. We have given a normal order. 

Istanbul Grand Bazar World's First Shopping Mall

Actually they eat half done and even their well done is half done for Pakistanis. We did not spend much on steak. They have a famous steak burger, Lokum burger, we have ordered that with Mediterranean salad. The process of placing order is very different here. You scan a QR order to get menu through their own Wifi. We did not have QR code scanner so we have given our order manually. Our Lokum burger has arrived. The beef in it is crushed and mixed after adding different spices. Burger is covered with a slight layer of cheese. This material is grilled burger. There is no third item. They world's best steak but their burger is also world best. It is so tender and the real trick is to turn beef this tender. Let's try without sauce. They deserve appreciation. It is best burger. It's not that I am eating so I am praising. I am not big fan of burger. It is stuffed with beef, you can see. 

Istanbul Grand Bazar World's First Shopping Mall

It's just cheese on it. It is Mediterranean salad which costs from 60 to 105 Liras with add on options. We haven't added anything though. So that bill remains under 65, 70. It contains onions with light bar b q sauce. There are olives, sweet potatoes and goat cheese. There are a few avocados and base is of lettuce, iceberg. Mouth watering.

Istanbul Grand Bazar World's First Shopping Mall

 I find something else. Shouldn't I tell after eating? There's pickle and different types of these leaves. May be salad leaves but can be different. We will find the taste after eating. Have some, friend.