12.05.2025 09:11
The 700 TL manti and the 1550 TL "Serseri" dish at MasterChef Turkey judge Mehmet Yalçınkaya's restaurant have drawn significant backlash on social media. Along with the high prices, the small portion sizes have also been a subject of criticism, with comments on social media highlighting that "a single meal costs as much as two days' minimum wage."
It caused a stir. When a user shared the prices of the meals they had at the restaurant, the reactions grew exponentially.
The fuse was lit when a social media user shared the meals and prices they had at the restaurant. According to the post made from the user's account, the dish called "keşli mantı" is served for 700 TL. The fact that there are only two large pieces of mantı in the plate became one of the points that attracted the most attention from users. Despite the high price, the small portion size became a subject of criticism on social media.
However, the most striking product was a special dish called "Serseri." This dish, prepared with beef tenderloin and calamari, made headlines with its price of 1550 TL. This amount is nearly double the net minimum wage in Turkey, which is 736 TL as of 2025. This means that a citizen working for minimum wage would need to spend two days' earnings to afford this meal.
With the spread of prices on social media, many users participated in discussions on topics such as "the limits of luxury," "accessibility in gastronomy," and "show or food?" Some stated that the restaurant's unique menu and gastronomic experience should be respected, while others argued that such pricing has become an "unreachable show" for a large segment of society.