Ethnic and traditional leanings aside, Turks and Kurds unite for one thing.

For either of the ethnic groups in Turkey, chilly winter morning and summer evening tea means little if served without a snack. Hold on, calling this crisp, circular bread a snack may offend many here. This indispensible pastry is called simit.

Hussein Shiraz, 22, runs a bakery – Simit Evi Shop – on an Üsküdar street near Istanbul’s Marmara Sea. Popularity of multi-flavored sesame-studded simit helps this 15-member family from southeastern city of Sirnak make both ends meet.

Unlike most shops in metropolitan Istanbul, the bakery has an English-speaking proprietor and a scarf-wearing account. Shiraz developed interest in English language since his secondary school days which he now perfects at the Kadir Has University where he attends graduate progam in international relations.

As Shiraz personally welcomes tourists in the busy street to savor freshly baked simit, his indifferent scarf-wearing sister Shirene focuses on her high school homework. When the shop gets crowded, she pours Turkish tea in cups. Popular songs of Tarkan play in the background as an Italian family enjoys simit with cheese, tea and good company.

Tradition, modernity and multi-culturism displayed at cozy Simit Evi Shop have been hallmark of rising Turkey.

“To keep the atmosphere friendly with a lone visitor, I share stories and legends associated with simit,” says Shiraz in a strong voice.

However, he offers no extra attention to a local in his bakery. "Turks cannot live without simit. And when they get it with tea, they need no company".

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