Charcoal smoke and the taste of friendship

We were determined to visit Obor Market after seeing a review by the popular YouTuber, Mark Wiens, who described it as one of Bucharest's must-try flavors. Upon arrival, the long, winding queue confirmed that claim.

At the end of the line was a small shop under a red umbrella with a sign reading "Terasa Obor." It sold just what the whole market had been waiting for—Mici, or Mititei, ground beef sausage seasoned with garlic and spices. The short patties were arranged on a metal grid, crackling with every drip of fat on the hot coals.

Mici isn't a fancy dish, but it's a flavor that Romania has recognized as a "national delicacy." Legend has it that it originated in Bucharest over a century ago when a chef made sausages without casings and threw them straight onto the griddle. The result was juicy, flavorful meat that's beloved to this day.

On the wall next to the shop was a small sign reading "Zâmbește la cameră," which translates to "Smile for the camera." But back then, everyone was already smiling.

Our friend stood in the middle of the line, holding a Euro note that the vendor had specially accepted, as he had no money in his pocket. We stood waiting beside a tall table made from old beer barrels, holding a fresh bottle of wine we'd just picked up from the market's wine corner.

Finally, the Mici we'd been waiting for arrived. The meat was placed alongside bread and a bag of bright yellow mustard. The smoky flavor lingered in the meat, the garlic wafting through and the charcoal indistinguishable.

"We started the day without a single Romanian coin, but ended our day at Obor Market with wine from the corner shop and Mici, which the vendor agreed to pay with euros, shared around a small table. What we came away with wasn't just food—it was a wonderful memory of our first day at Obor Market, Romania."

#OborMarket #Bucharest #RomaniaTravel #Mici #StreetFood

Post by Mr. Choon | Oct 5, 2025