A Little Happening at the Café

When I tried to check in at the hotel, my room wasn’t ready yet, so I started chatting with one of the staff. They offered me Turkish coffee and asked, “What do you do?” I casually replied, “I’m a sushi chef.” His eyes lit up and he said, “Let’s take a picture with some sweets then!” Later, he surprised me with complimentary desserts at the hotel café. Another staff member explained, “He likes you.” Apparently, the title of sushi chef can be surprisingly useful in unexpected places (laughs).

What made the conversation even more interesting was that for him, “sushi” meant rolls. When he asked, “Which sushi restaurant do you work at?” I said, “At Sushi-kawa in Tokyo.” He immediately looked it up on his phone, pointed at the pictures, and exclaimed, “I’ve never seen sushi like this before!” For him, sushi = rolls. That’s when I realized this is the common image of sushi abroad.

Cats Around the City

As I walked around the city, I saw cats everywhere, leisurely enjoying themselves. Some wouldn’t budge from the doormat at a shop entrance, while others lived in small cat houses placed near the harbor.

I also came across a huge mural of a cat covering an entire wall, which made the whole city feel like it was coexisting with cats—it was heartwarming.

No way to get into the shop like this, right? (laughs)

Enjoying Turkish Cuisine

No trip is complete without food. At a restaurant, I had a fragrant plate of kebab. Juicy grilled meat served with bulgur, freshly baked bread, and crisp salad. On top of that, spicy side dishes and a squeeze of lemon were just perfect. Simple yet bold in flavor, it was the ideal meal to recharge during the journey.

Walking the Streets and Memorable Views

The cobblestone slopes, the sky peeking between old buildings, and the blend of modern and historical architecture.

The streets of Turkey were incredibly dramatic. Under the clear blue sky, watching ferries and boats lined up in the harbor while relaxing like the cats around me—it felt like pure luxury.

Sushi Culture in Turkey

Let me touch a bit on the relationship between Turkey and sushi. Sushi, of course, originated in Japan and has uniquely developed from the Edo period to today. On the other hand, Turkey has no direct tradition of a food culture like “vinegared rice + raw fish,” and sushi was only introduced here in more recent times.

That said, sushi has been rapidly gaining popularity in Turkey. In big cities like Istanbul, sushi restaurants and Japanese eateries are on the rise. Some luxury hotels even hire sushi chefs. Behind this trend is the growing desire among Turkish people to experience foreign cultures. Interestingly, for many, sushi = rolls. This shows how the version of sushi that spread via the U.S. also took root in Turkey.

Some restaurants emphasize authenticity by importing genuine soy sauce and seasonings from Japan, while others are popular for creating “fusion sushi” with Turkish flavors and ingredients. For a country surrounded by seas and rich in fish culture, sushi seems to be welcomed as “a new way to enjoy fish.” Japanese anime and pop culture also play a major role, inspiring younger generations and fueling their fascination with sushi.

Reflections on the Journey

Every little moment of this trip was full of surprises and comfort, making me realize once again that “travel is all about encounters.” I was soothed by cats, satisfied with kebabs, and connected with locals through sushi conversations. The way sushi crosses borders and becomes a fun conversation starter is fascinating. Turkey truly is a wonderful place.