Almost every open-air market in Bucharest has a stand selling 'mici' (pronounced 'mitch', and meaning 'small ones') . The 'mici' (also called mititey), are minced meat rolls grilled on hot coals and served on a piece of cardboard with sweet mustard and bread. A cold drink (beer, usually) accompanying this delicious romanian dish, makes one feel in heaven.
I had some mici at the Obor market; their taste and smell was terrific.
mici grilling on hot coals
people waiting to get their portion of mici
Obor market is Bucharest's largest market . It has been renovated, and reopened last year as a combination of indoor/outdoor stalls and a 2-storey commercial complex ( ground floor - fruit &vegetables; first floor-food products:meat, fish, dairy; second floor - stores with household goods).
2-storey modern building
Nearby, there's a small park, a Metro station, a square with a fountain , a shopping mall, and a ...McDonald's. Quite a bustling area.
sign at the entrance of the adjacent Obor park
Obor metro station
Interesting to note : I could kill anyone who smokes near me, yet I did nothing to distance myself from the heavy smoke coming from the grill and reaching the people - those standing in line to buy the mici, and those already seated at the tables around. On the contrary, I happily joined the other mici fans.
Go figure out human nature!
You continually remind me that there is another world out there away from our small corner of SW France, Duta, and I always feel that I have learnt something about that world from reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteMici sounds delicious and I think I have tried them being in Romania:)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Mici before, it sounds interesting. It's nice that one can take a break from the shopping in the park. Thanks for sharing these DUTA, I often wondered what Bucharest was like.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. That looks like an area that could be quite enjoyable. I love the smell of someone grilling, no matter what it is and the mici sounds quite tasty! Your pictures are great, I love the one of the park. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteuntil next time... nel
The Mici sounds wonderful. I love anything smoked over hot coals.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh about the 'smoking' statement. I'm the same way but will stand over the grill to smoke a piece a meat all day long! Heeeehehehe!!!
The market looks fabulous Duta. I'm quite envious! Sure would beat the socks of WalMart!
Have a blessed and beautiful day sweetie!!! :o)
I too know nothing of this Mici but I want you to know you have made me very hungry!!
ReplyDeleteAfter I read the text, I always go back and enlarge your photos to get the feel of the story. I could almost smell the mici and taste the beer. LOL The last photo the ticket machine looks like something from a science fiction movie as it spits out green light. Have a wonderful weekend. Peace
ReplyDeleteWow! I miss the Sundays when by father was cooking grilled meat and mici! That meal was delicious! I envy you, Duta:)
ReplyDeleteVera,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you feel you learn something from reading my blog. Yes, there's more than one world, and it's interesting to learn about it.
Ola,
They are indeed delicious: hard on the outside, soft and juicy inside.
J_on_tour@jayspaze,
You may have heard the term 'kebab'. Well, 'mici' are similar to kebab which is very popular in the Middle East.
Nel,
Indeed, tasty food, a green park make the area quite enjoyable.
Glad you like the pictures.
Nezzy,
ReplyDeleteYes, both the 'mici' and the market are wonderful.
As for my 'smoke' attitude it was weird wasn't it. I hate smoke and yet I stood there in the middle of it all.
One Fly,
I suppose I have. You can always try to prepare some 'mici' yourself. The romanian recipe is to be found on the internet.
Lady Di Tn,
You're a very observing lady. Nothing escapes you. If it weren't for your comment, I wouldn't have noticed the ticket machine spitting out the green light.
Flory,
I can well imagine how much you miss those delicious 'mici' prepared by your father. The memory of that meal is still with you!
I got the beautiful feeling and the nice smell!!!
ReplyDeleteI love open air markets! We always prefer to shop farmer's markets when possible. Your Mici sounds wonderful, made me think of the pasties carried by miners into the mines for their lunch. They were fashioned with meat and vegetables inside of a pastry shell (made to be eaten with the hands, not utensils). Thanks, again, Duta, for a wonderful and informative post. Hope you are enjoying the holiday (for us Christmas) season.
ReplyDeleteMy Dear friend Duta
ReplyDeletehahahaa, another tobacco smoke and smell of burning food from other grilled meats!!
I would I was there :)
Your photos are wonderful!
Many greetings and kisses
Duta, It's that smell that gets you. There is a hot dog stand in town and the smell of the onions drives everyone crazy. You go there even if you had lunch 2 hours ago.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so good. Fun to exlore and find great foods.
yvonne
Phivos Nicolaides,
ReplyDelete'nice' smell?? nice is a weak word here. The smell of mici grilling is incredibly good.
C Hummel Kornell a/k/a C Hummel Wilson,
Interesting analogy of 'mici' with the pasties of the miners! I've learnt something from it.
The mici have a wonderful aroma due to the spices used and the grilling process.
Magda,
The greeks have similar grilled dishes, but I think the romanian 'mici' are the best. Their taste and flavor is unique.
La Petite Gallery,
Right, the smell of these little yummies which fills the air and the senses, is maddening.
First thing I thought of when I saw those pictures with all that smoke is that it must smell delicious! What a great place to shop and just people watch!
ReplyDeleteYou really do create such wonderful atmosphere with your images....it is almost as if the smells and noise of the market are here with me....
ReplyDelete-Trevor
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteYou were right. Smoke usually indicates grilling whose smell is in most cases, great.
Trevor,
Thank you for the compliment. I do indeed hope that the few images inserted in my post give the reader a glimpse into the atmosphere of the market.
my intelligent looking friend,
ReplyDeleteI felt like having some mici and my mouth became a lake...
the Bucharest is a beautiful place indeed!...
i went all the places in the world, through the episodes of 'Sancharam'(meaning travel) a video travelogue in our malayalam channel...
The places you take me make my day Duta! I've been a little neglectful on my blog lately & have missed your wonderful post/travels. AND I'm with you regarding smokers...but the smell of a good BBQ,Mmmmmm!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2011/12/colors-of-change.html
Yes! Seeing the place is one thing, smelling it is another! Love your post and pictures.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and following Red Rose Alley. You have so many nice pictures of wonderful places. My girls love to travel, and Israel is somewhere we would all enjoy visiting. I hope that you visit us again, and have a lovely day.
ReplyDelete~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
jyothisethu,
ReplyDelete"intelligent looking" - moi? Thank you very much for the compliment.
That video travelog mentioned by you sounds interesting and mind broadening.
Lisa Petrarca,
That's what I said: Go figure out human nature.
Smoke of smokers is one thing, smoke of BBQ -another thing.
Tanya Reimer,
Well, markets appeal to all our senses; that's why most people all over the world love them .
Glad you like my post and pictures.
Red Rose Alley,
Welcome to my little blog! Wish you and your girls many travel opportunities!
This seems like a nice area...I have never heard of mici but it sounds good. Love seeing your travels
ReplyDeleteKim@Stuff,
ReplyDeleteNot only the area of the market seems nice, but also the residential neighborhood surrounding it - which is rather surprising.
Mici & Beer sounds cool:)
ReplyDeleteR.Ramakrishnan,
ReplyDeleteCool, indeed. The mici go down more smoothly with cold beer. I noticed the locals drunk a certain brand of beer called Timisoreana (produced in the city of Timisoara, one of the main cities of Romania).
Beautiful!!!! (from Marcia)
ReplyDeleteMarcia, what a pleasant surprise!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my little blog! Thanks for the comment. Hope you'll visit again.