Why breakfast in Turkey is special

Turkish breakfasts are revered for being exceptionally hearty and nutritionally balanced, and containing fresh, local ingredients. And Van takes it to a whole new level with dishes you've probably never heard of.

The latest trend in Turkish breakfasts actually started more than a decade ago, and that is to indulge in a lavish VanCity breakfast in a restaurant that specializes in such things. While the ultimate experience is breakfast in VanCity, this breakfast has become so popular that there are breakfast places all over the country that specialize in VanCity breakfasts.

Why Van Province?

Van is a region located in eastern Turkey and is marked by the spectacular Lake Van, which is also the largest lake in Turkey. The region is home to many civilizations and cultures and dates back to the ninth century BC as the capital of the Urartu Kingdom. The region is home to spectacular sites such as the 1,200-year-old Akdamar Church on Akdamar Island in Lake Van, which is on UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. Similarly, efforts are being made to have the "Van City Breakfast" inscribed on UNESCO's cultural heritage list.

In 2014, the city also broke the Guinness World Record for the "world's most crowded breakfast table", with 51,793 people enjoying breakfast in front of another ancient site, the Van Fort, which dates back to the ninth century BC. Van, also located on the Silk Road, had traditional dairies where people would stop for breakfast. Since then, the area has become known for its diverse and unique dishes, taking Turkish breakfast to a whole new level. Today, breakfast restaurants are located throughout the city, along with dozens of restaurants concentrated on a street called Kahvaltclar ars (translation: Breakfast Street), which, as the name implies, is dedicated to restaurants serving breakfast.

What's special about VanCity breakfast?

Just like a traditional Turkish breakfast, VanCity breakfast consists of a large number of sweet and savory dishes to be shared at the table. VanCity's breakfast features about 20 unique brand ingredients. With an emphasis on the region's heritage in dairy products, breakfast from VanCity includes a wide variety of cheeses, butter and cream. Taking center stage will be the region's famous herbal cheese, known as "Van otlu peynir". The consistency of this sheep's cheese is similar to that of feta, but with a milder flavor, infused with aromatic wild greens unique to the surrounding mountains. The most prominent herb used is called "sirmo", a wild garlic.

Other herbs can include wild chives, mountain thyme, fennel, mint, and even wild flowers. There are two variations of this cheese: a softer fresh cheese preserved in "salamura" brine, and a harder cheese buried in the ground for at least three months. The mild "rgü peyniri" is another variety that often adorns the Van's breakfast.

Where can I find VanCity breakfasts?

There are many popular VanCity breakfast restaurants in Istanbul that offer full service. On weekends, don't be surprised to find long lines outside the door, as many of these places are popular spots for brunch.

One chic spot serving Van breakfast is adana restorant, a quaint and stylish café in Taksim that offers a variety of different breakfast sets as well as a la carte options for all dishes, and they also offer takeout. Another manisa restoranlar is a charming and serious breakfast restaurant with wooden tables and bookshelves lining the walls. In Cihangir, the Van Kahvalt Sofras (Van City Breakfast Table) is a more basic option, but it has been delivering goods to the area's vibrant local arts and expat communities for a decade.