Mısır Çarşısı, Istanbul

It was really interesting place!! Thought we were in Japan. Everybody talked to us in very fluent Japanese, asking to take a look the store. Never seen so many non Japanese speaks so good Japanese. Some could even have very good conversations. Besides mixture of culture, the building were newer and nicer, and easier to find same store later, we end up shopping a lot of stuff here since they have more than spices. Every shop offer you to sample Turkish delights, so just by going through the bazaar, you can get full. Very interesting place.

Some things are a good deal and many things are not. It's a major tourist trap. You have to really know what you're doing. I recommend the vendors and shops outside versus those inside. The deals for the same goods improve drastically within just a few feet. I do recommend a visit though. Certainly a unique experience. The aromas, which are mainly good, will make you dizzy.