In our quest to find the next of the forgotten arts of the Old Bazaar we came across the most popular simit pogacha and burek store in the area of the Old Bazaar. Curiously enough, the first time we wanted to interview our target, we found out that we were late for the task and we had to pay them a visit another day. Namely, this burek maker regularly sells out all of his pastry by 12 noon and closes the store. Bitpazar Bakery is located in the very heart of Bitpazar, one of the best markets in the city of Skopje.
Burek and simit pogacha making as well as other pastries such as sesame rings are legacies from the Turkish era. These tasty foods found a ready market among Macedonians and, with some minor variations in the names, have remained popular ever since.
Our next visit we arrived at 0900 to avoid disappointment a second time. We were very impressed by the fact that despite numerous burek shops around the area, there was a long line of people waiting with us at this shop. The burek sellers working for “Bitpazar” bakery were obviously in a good mood. they worked fast, but always with a pleasant demeanor towards the customers.
When we asked to speak with the proprietor, we were welcomed inside and greeted by a man named Marjan. He told us that he inherited the business and the recipes from his father-in-law and that the bakery has existed since 1964.
Soon we discovered what makes his pastry so popular. Most of the pastry makers use yeast in their the dough. Instead, he uses chicory leaven. It is first mixed with water and then placed in one piece of dough. Later on, this is used for another piece of dough and soon it multiplies. Another secret of producing this super delicious pastry is baking in a wood fueled oven instead of electric. The shop really bakes a lot, using up a cubic meter of wood every five days.
In Bitpazar Bakery the hungry visitor can buy cheese and spinach burek (which is thin flaky pastry), simit pogacha (a piece of burek-like pastry placed in a small delicious piece of bread), cheese and spinach pie (these are pretty big), circular bread with sesame seeds or sesame rings (gjevrek) and salty and sweet rolls. Since most of the pastry is quite greasy, it is best accompanied with a dairy drink. A quarter slice of burek will keep you full for several hours.
The majority of customers here are local Albanians, but from time to time they attract foreigners and diplomats. One American Ambassador was a regular customer. Sometimes customers order extra burek and simit pogacha for delivery to relatives and friends abroad.
The pleasant proprietor of Bitpazar Bakery did not send us away empty-handed. He gave us each a quarter burek to be able to testify to its great quality. We tasted it and can safely affirm that it tastes delicious.
Bitpazar Bakery
192 Street, No 31
Skopje 1000
Macedonia
See what it is like inside the bakery:
No comments yet.