Southern Turkey's Hatay cuisine: how a Mediterranean hub on the Silk Road gave birth to 600 dishes
Advertisement
Settled since at least the early Bronze Age, the region has been controlled by the Akkadians, the Hurrians, the Assyrians, the Macedonians, the Byzantines and the Ottomans, among others. The province's capital, Antakya – known in Roman and medieval times as Antioch – was built by one of Alexander the Great's generals around 300BC, becoming one of the largest cities in the Greco-Roman world. The word 'Christian' was even coined here, according to the New Testament, Paul (formerly Saul) having taught in Antioch and used the city as a base for his missionary journeys.
Ancient mosaic from Hatay, Turkey.
Antakya's role as a mercantile hub over centuries – it was a gateway on the Silk Road to the Mediterranean – meant it welcomed many nationalities. Hatay was incorporated into the Turkish Republic as recently as 1939, with a large Arab population who speak Levantine Arabic and Turkish, and a multireligious community of Muslims, Christians and Jews. This diversity is also evident in the cuisine of the region – a blend of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Anatolian flavours and ingredients.
The terrain of Hatay province is varied. 'Having a vast plateau, the Amanus [Nur] Mountains and the Mediterranean, the high and low altitudes give us the opportunity to grow our own produce,' says Antakya native Maksut , chef-owner of Neolokal, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Istanbul. Vineyards, spices, herbs, olives, figs, oranges, lemons, legumes and vegetables abound in this mild climate and fertile soil. This bounty features in Hatay's rich cuisine, with its more than 600 unique dishes. This led the province – which is also a metropolitan municipality – to be named a City of Gastronomy in 2017 within the Unesco Creative Cities Network.
Antakya native Maksut Aşkar, chef-owner of Neolokal, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Istanbul. Photo: Handout
'The food in Antakya is bold. It's one of the few places that nails the balance between acidity, spiciness and richness,' says Istanbul-born chef Mina Güçlüer, who helms acclaimed restaurant Belon in Hong Kong. 'Despite appearing hearty, the dishes never feel heavy. They achieve a distinct acidity that adds complexity while keeping things light and refreshing.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Worried about travel safety in 2025? Follow these expert tips to stay protected
A ceasefire in the Middle East between Iran and Israel is holding steady, but international travellers remain on edge over the potential for instability in the region. According to the 2025 Traveller Safety and Sentiment Survey conducted by rescue and evacuation company Global Rescue, 78 per cent of travellers said they are either 'very concerned' (23 per cent) or 'somewhat concerned' (55 per cent) about the impact of geopolitical instability on their travel plans from now until the end of 2025. In other words, while the ceasefire may have eased immediate volatility or tensions between the two countries, traveller confidence has yet to be fully restored. What is more, traveller concerns are not limited to the Middle East. The Global Rescue survey indicates travellers are also worried about spending time in Mediterranean regions, as well as parts of Europe. 'Even after a ceasefire, the impact on traveller psychology lingers,' said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue. 'People are weighing risk more carefully, and safety continues to drive travel decisions.' Tourists flock to Rome's Colosseum every summer, but a new survey indicates travellers are worried about spending time in Mediterranean regions, as well as parts of Europe. Photo: TNS Those concerns, however, have not proved strong enough to trigger widespread cancellation of travel plans.
South China Morning Post
13-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Southern Turkey's Hatay cuisine: how a Mediterranean hub on the Silk Road gave birth to 600 dishes
Sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the northwestern corner of Syria is Turkey's southernmost province, Hatay, a region known for its beauty, cultural diversity, storied past and distinctive cuisine. Advertisement Settled since at least the early Bronze Age, the region has been controlled by the Akkadians, the Hurrians, the Assyrians, the Macedonians, the Byzantines and the Ottomans, among others. The province's capital, Antakya – known in Roman and medieval times as Antioch – was built by one of Alexander the Great's generals around 300BC, becoming one of the largest cities in the Greco-Roman world. The word 'Christian' was even coined here, according to the New Testament, Paul (formerly Saul) having taught in Antioch and used the city as a base for his missionary journeys. Ancient mosaic from Hatay, Turkey. Antakya's role as a mercantile hub over centuries – it was a gateway on the Silk Road to the Mediterranean – meant it welcomed many nationalities. Hatay was incorporated into the Turkish Republic as recently as 1939, with a large Arab population who speak Levantine Arabic and Turkish, and a multireligious community of Muslims, Christians and Jews. This diversity is also evident in the cuisine of the region – a blend of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Anatolian flavours and ingredients. The terrain of Hatay province is varied. 'Having a vast plateau, the Amanus [Nur] Mountains and the Mediterranean, the high and low altitudes give us the opportunity to grow our own produce,' says Antakya native Maksut , chef-owner of Neolokal, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Istanbul. Vineyards, spices, herbs, olives, figs, oranges, lemons, legumes and vegetables abound in this mild climate and fertile soil. This bounty features in Hatay's rich cuisine, with its more than 600 unique dishes. This led the province – which is also a metropolitan municipality – to be named a City of Gastronomy in 2017 within the Unesco Creative Cities Network. Antakya native Maksut Aşkar, chef-owner of Neolokal, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Istanbul. Photo: Handout 'The food in Antakya is bold. It's one of the few places that nails the balance between acidity, spiciness and richness,' says Istanbul-born chef Mina Güçlüer, who helms acclaimed restaurant Belon in Hong Kong. 'Despite appearing hearty, the dishes never feel heavy. They achieve a distinct acidity that adds complexity while keeping things light and refreshing.'
South China Morning Post
23-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Singapore Airlines in Gulf flight freeze amid US-Iran escalation
Commercial airlines around the world on Monday were weighing how long to suspend Middle East flights after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran and Tehran vowed to retaliate. Singapore Airlines , one of the highest-profile carriers in Asia, had called the situation 'fluid' on Sunday as it cancelled flights from Singapore to Dubai following a security assessment. The Middle East route has become more important for flights between Europe and Asia since Russian and Ukrainian airspace closed due to war, but flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed empty space over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel. London-based British Airways carrier also cancelled several flights to Dubai and diverted two planes bound for the emirate overnight on Saturday, according to data from Flightradar24. One flight took off from Heathrow Airport on Saturday night and was diverted to Zurich after it reached Saudi Arabia 's airspace in the early hours of Sunday, according to the flight tracking site. Another Dubai-bound jet returned to Heathrow after going as far as Egypt. Live air traffic around the Middle East on Monday morning following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Photo: Flightradar24 The UK carrier also cancelled flights to Qatar 's capital Doha on Sunday and halted routes to Bahrain through the end of the month due to operational constraints and airspace restrictions. British Airways said it had adjusted its flight schedule as a result of recent events to ensure the safety of customers and crew. Singapore Airlines said on Sunday warned in an advisory that other flights between the Southeast Asian nations and the emirates may be affected 'as the situation remains fluid'.
