Travel video guide
Where to Eat in Menemen, İzmir: Halka Kokoreç (ring-style) | Varedelo
This guide turns İZMİR'İN EN İYİ KOKOREÇLERİ (Bu rehber Şampiyonlar Ligi!) - Ayaküstü Lezzetler from Ayaküstü Lezzetler into a practical restaurant map with 5 saved spots around Bornova, Menemen, and Karşıyaka. The mapped places include a restaurant stop. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Ayaküstü Lezzetler began their Izmir kokoreç guide by visiting the legendary Asım Usta to taste classic Izmir-style rings during the peak milk-fed lamb season. They emphasized the importance of eating the meat directly from the skewer without over-grilling to preserve its natural juiciness and flavor. The experience concluded with a rare behind-the-scenes look at the production facility to understand the craftsmanship behind wrapping the perfect baton.
What this map is good for
- Planning a restaurant stop or short itinerary in Bornova.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 5 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- Kokorecci Vahit Usta
Restaurant in 85. Yıl Cumhuriyet, 4103. Sk. No:1, 35665 Menemen/İzmir, Türkiye, 85. Yıl Cumhuriyet, Menemen, İzmir, Türkiye
Hours: Hours available - Kokorecci Baki Usta
Restaurant in Şemikler, Erdoğan Akkaya Sk. No:8/2, 35570 Karşıyaka/İzmir, Türkiye, Şemikler, Karşıyaka, İzmir, Türkiye
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Kokorecci Asim Usta
Fast Food Restaurant in Rafet Paşa, Burak Reis Cd. No:226A, 35500 Bornova/İzmir, Türkiye, Rafet Paşa, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Akın Usta Kokoreç
Turkish Restaurant in 29 Ekim, 180. Sk. 2/1 A, 35660 Menemen/İzmir, Türkiye, 29 Ekim, Menemen, İzmir, Türkiye
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Kokoreçci Niyazi Usta
Restaurant in Yeşilova, 4023. Sk. No:11, 35080 Bornova/İzmir, Türkiye, Yeşilova, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available
Food notes from the video
- Halka kokoreç (ring-style)
- Süt kuzu kokoreç (milk-fed lamb)
Experiences captured
- Visited Alsancak Kordon in Izmir
- Ate at the legendary Kokoreççi Asım Usta
- Discussed the seasonal quality of milk-fed lamb
- Tasted Izmir-style kokoreç directly from the skewer
- Visited the kokoreç production facility
- Met with second-generation master Cihan Usta
- Learned about the ingredients of 'atom' kokoreç
- Observed the traditional hand-wrapping process
Planning notes for Bornova
Kızılay is a neighborhood located within the Bornova district of İzmir, Turkey. The area is situated on the Bornova Plain at the foot of Mount Yamanlar, approximately 8 kilometers northeast of İzmir's traditional city center. Historical Heritage The history of the Kızılay area is linked to the broader timeline of Bornova, where archaeological evidence from the Yeşilova Höyük indicates human settlement dating back to the Neolithic period, approximately 8.
Must-try foods nearby
- İzmir-Style Kokoreç
A legendary street food staple in Bornova, particularly at the famous Kokoreççi Asım Usta. - Bornova Kumrusu
An iconic İzmir sandwich served in a special chickpea-yeast bread. While the classic cold version features tulum cheese and tomatoes. - Boyoz
The quintessential İzmir breakfast pastry. This flaky, unleavened bread, originally from the Sephardic Jewish tradition, is best enjoyed warm in Bornova's local bakeries. - İzmir Köfte
A comforting traditional dish of oval-shaped meatballs baked with potatoes, green peppers, and tomatoes in a light, savory broth. - Döner (Odun Ateşi)
A local obsession, especially at spots like Dönerci Vedat Usta. This is traditional 'yaprak' döner (thinly sliced steak) cooked slowly over a wood fire.
When to go: The best time to visit Kızılay, Bornova, is during the spring (April to June) or autumn (September to October) when temperatures are mild and pleasant for walking. Summers can be intensely hot with temperatures often exceeding 35°C (95°F).
Local tips
- Use an İzmirim Kart for seamless travel on the metro and ESHOT buses, as cash is not accepted on most public transit.
- Expect a vibrant, student-heavy atmosphere due to the proximity of Ege University, making it a safe and lively area even late at night.
- When dining at local lokantas, it is common to view the daily dishes at the counter and point to what you want rather than ordering from a printed menu.
- Say 'Elinize sağlık' to the cook or server after a meal to show appreciation for their work, a gesture highly valued in Turkish hospitality.
What travelers are noticing
- Romeo and Juliet at Bornova Aşık Veysel Open Air Theater (June 2026)
- Rise of independent art spaces like Bayetav Sanat in the Bornova district
- Expansion of the Izmir Culture and Arts Factory (İCAF) as a regional creative hub
Extra place context
- Kokoreççi Asım Usta
Known for: İzmir-Style Kokoreç. Mentioned as a must-try spot in top foods.
food and İzmir-Style Kokoreç
Planning questions
What is this video map?
It is a crawlable guide to the mapped places from İZMİR'İN EN İYİ KOKOREÇLERİ (Bu rehber Şampiyonlar Ligi!) - Ayaküstü Lezzetler, with the creator video, a static map preview, and selected spots from the trip.
Can I save these spots?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save the places, keep planning notes, and revisit the guide from your phone.
Does this replace watching the video?
No. The video remains the source, and the map makes the places easier to scan, compare, and save while planning.
Use it on your trip
Save this restaurant map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.