Pairing Manti correctly — a note on çay black tea

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Manti. I ordered it with çay black tea and the warmly spiced and complex elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. Turkish red pepper paste in particular became more prominent in a good way.

the meze tradition of small shared dishes predates the main course. The an Istanbul meyhane tavern is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Manti with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.