Turkish Food for Lunch in nearby Ephesus

So here is the rundown on Ephesus. We explored the archaeological site for more than an hour but we stayed at the ruins for approximately 2 hours so you can safely say that you need about 2 hours there unless you are a historian and an ancient art freak, then you can better stay there for a whole day. It is also very hot, so it’s not really a good place to be staying out that long on the ruins site. Of course there are trees to take shelter from the heat but do you really want that? I bet no.

You can find my Ephesus posts below:

Ephesus Part 1: Throwback to my Christian past and an Intro to the Ephesus story
Ephesus Part 2: The Library's Secret, the Bath and Latrine Culture, and the Grand Theater

Back in the bus, Nec, our amiable tour guide told us that we will be stopping over for lunch nearby. Lunch will be Turkish Food of course.

So what do I know about Turkish Food?

Well, I know the Turks love tomatoes, cucumber and aubergines. And oh, kebabs as well and lots of tea =)

Now, I forgot the name of the restaurant we had lunch at but it looks like one of those restaurants that exclusively caters to visiting group tours to Ephesus. They have 2 types of buffet, cold and warm and they are priced separately. The warm buffet is more expensive than the cold buffet. The dessert is an option which will be an additional expense, as well as the drink.

Honestly, I would have preferred to search for my own lunch at a restaurant somewhere in Kusadasi but I do not have my own transport, I am dependent of the bus and this tour group. So OKAY.

Here is the WARM BUFFET:

I think this is Imam Bayildi or Karnıyarık (stuffed aubergine/egglant).

These could be Koftes, ground meat usually from lamb or mutton.

They have liver as well! And all sorts of sauteed vegetables.

Stuffed peppers with pilav and tomatoes.

And this is the COLD BUFFET. I did not take a picture of the DESSERTS though.

Different types of grains, lentils, couscous, bulgur, pilav and more.

Cucumber is a staple in Turkish cuisine and lots of greens, tomatoes, pickles, carrots and yoghurt.

I first ordered my drink, a non-Turkish beer called: TUBORG. It is Danish unfortunately (from the Carlsberg Brewery). It is what they are selling so I have no choice. I would have preferred a Turkish beer!

I was hungry because I didn’t really had breakfast that morning—I had to leave early and Dutchman was still in bed so there is no use making breakfast. So I chose the warm buffet, and this is my generous plate. Like it?

I had a little bit of everything. This was really good! I licked this plate clean. My favourite were the vegetables of course, especially the aubergine. Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5.

During lunch I sat with the Dutch couple I met during this tour, while Berry was with Nec and the rest of the tour group leaders. It looks like tour group leaders and drivers get a free lunch but they must sit together at the table assigned to them. Now the Dutch couple was completely amused that I am taking pictures of all the food. I told them it is a hobby. Well, more like an obsession actually, hehe =).

What I really love with Turkish food is that it is mainly vegetables and grains. There are meat dishes as well but the vegetarians will definitely be at home here in Turkey.

And oh, I forgot to post this in my earlier entry about Ephesus. Took this just outside when we exited the ruins.

How genuine can a genuine fake watch be? LOL

Travel Period: June 2013
Destination: Ephesus, Selcuk (Izmir), Turkey

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