Travel video guide
Ayaküstü Lezzetler in Menemen, İzmir: 5 Spots
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
Karacaoğlan is a neighborhood located in the Bornova district of İzmir, Turkey. It is situated on the Bornova Plain, a region with human settlement history dating back approximately 8,500 years. Historical Heritage and Archaeology The neighborhood is home to the Yeşilova Mound (Yeşilova Höyüğü), the oldest known prehistoric settlement in the Aegean region. Excavations at this site have uncovered four distinct cultural layers.
Must-try foods nearby
- İzmir-Style Kokoreç
A street food legend that reaches its peak in Bornova's Çamdibi and Karacaoğlan areas. - Boyoz
The quintessential İzmir breakfast pastry with Sephardic roots. This unleavened, flaky puff pastry is made with flour, sunflower oil, and tahini, resulting in a buttery. - Kumru
A signature İzmir sandwich served on a unique, chickpea-leavened bread roll. While the cold version features İzmir tulum cheese and tomatoes. - İzmir Bombası
A modern cult classic that has become a viral sensation. This thin, doughy cookie is stuffed with a massive amount of liquid chocolate 'lava' that explodes when bitten. - Wood-Fired Döner
In Bornova, döner is treated as an art form rather than fast food. Top local spots like Dönerci Vedat Usta serve thinly sliced.
When to go: The best time to visit Karacaoğlan, Bornova, is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when temperatures are mild and ideal for outdoor exploration. While summers are hot and arid with temperatures often exceeding 33°C (91°F).
Local tips
- Purchase an İzmirim Card at major transit hubs like Bornova or Stadyum stations to access the integrated bus and metro network serving the neighborhood.
- When dining at local establishments, wait for the eldest person at the table to begin eating as a sign of respect.
- Use the 'Afiyet olsun' greeting before a meal and thank your host with 'Elinize sağlık' afterward to follow local social etiquette.
- Be aware that Karacaoğlan is a rapidly developing residential and industrial area, so stick to well-lit main avenues when walking at night.
What travelers are noticing
- Bornova Heritage Map digital exploration and international recognition
- Nova35 and Nüans Yapı luxury residential developments
- Most Beautiful Balcony and Garden community competitions
Extra place context
- Kokoreççi Asım Usta
While technically a street food icon, Asım Usta is so fundamental to the Bornova food identity that it belongs on every list. This specific location is where the 'İzmir-style' kokoreç (grilled lamb intestines without tomatoes) was perfected.
food
Official tourism resource
The official digital tourism portal for İzmir and its districts, including Bornova, providing information on historical sites, culture, and local attractions.
Planning questions
Where did Ayaküstü Lezzetler eat in Menemen, İzmir?
This guide maps all 5 spots featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan where to eat in Menemen, İzmir.
What are the must-try foods in Menemen, İzmir?
Creator picks from the video include Halka kokoreç (ring-style), Süt kuzu kokoreç (milk-fed lamb). Open the map in Varedelo to see which spot each one is at.
Can I save these spots to use on my trip?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save every spot, get directions, and revisit the guide from your phone while you travel.
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.