07.11.2026 21:02
Cryptography engineer Prof. Dr. Çetin Kaya Koç, who paid 2,800 TL for a bowl of salad and a small portion of pasta at a restaurant in Alsancak, İzmir, reacted to the exorbitant prices. Stating that the amount he paid was many times higher than even expensive cities such as Barcelona and Santa Barbara, Koç sharply criticized the pricing policies in the food and beverage sector, saying, "I won't go again; these businesses deserve to lose."
Prof. Dr. Çetin Kaya Koç, who paid 2,800 TL for a bowl of salad and a small portion of pasta in İzmir Alsancak, reacted to restaurant prices. Noting that they could eat the same meal for 20 euros in Barcelona and 25 dollars in Santa Barbara, USA, Koç said, “I will not go again.”
ATE WITH HIS NIECE
Prof. Dr. Çetin Kaya Koç, known for his international work in cryptography engineering, voiced his reaction to the bill he encountered at a restaurant in İzmir Alsancak. Koç, who ate with his niece, explained that they paid 2,800 TL for a large bowl of salad and a small plate of pasta.
2,800 TL FOR SALAD AND PASTA
Sharing his experience on his social media account, Koç stated that the amount he paid corresponded to approximately 50 euros or 56 dollars. Comparing the price with expensive cities abroad, the academic said that they would pay 20 euros for the same meal in Barcelona and 25 dollars in Santa Barbara, USA.
Drawing attention to the fact that both cities are among expensive cities, Koç criticized the pricing in İzmir.
“ONLY 3 OF THE RESTAURANT’S 100 TABLES WERE OCCUPIED”
Also touching on the restaurant’s customer situation, Koç said that only three tables were occupied in the establishment, which has about 100 tables.
Stating that he would not go to the restaurant again, the academic used the following statements in his post:
“I will not go again. The restaurant was empty. Only 3 of about 100 tables had customers. Restaurants of this sort will lose. Let them lose; they deserve it.”
RESTAURANT PRICES BECAME A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AGAIN
Koç’s post brought discussions about restaurant and cafe prices in Turkey back onto the agenda. In particular, price comparisons with tourist cities abroad increased criticism of pricing policies in the food and beverage sector.