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New York’s Times Square turned into a small corner of Anatolia on Tuesday evening as visitors lined up for simit and Turkish tea.
The servings were part of Anadoludakiler, a promotional project launched with the support of first lady Emine Erdogan and run through Türkiye’s development agencies under the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Organizers said the initiative set out to promote Turkish culinary traditions abroad.
Backed by the office of the first lady and coordinated by the ministry’s development agencies, the project brought over what organizers called traditional breakfast staples and shared them in one of the world’s busiest public squares.
The team handed out simit and tea to people gathering around the stand and kept the focus on how these staples speak to everyday tastes from Anatolia.
Organizers described both offerings as symbols of hospitality and sharing in Anatolian culture.
Visitors were invited to experience that spirit firsthand as the team gave out portions and engaged with onlookers who stopped to see what was being served.
Event banners leaned into playful pride around morning rituals, carrying messages that read “Champions League of Breakfast: Turkish Tea and Simit” and “In Türkiye, every door greets guests with heartwarming Turkish tea.”
The slogans summed up how the project aimed to introduce familiar Turkish flavors while spotlighting a culture of welcoming guests.
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