The price of lahmacun, which is 60 lira in Esenler, is sold for 250 lira in Gokturk. Those who sell cheaply claim that the price difference is due to rent, while the expensive sellers mention that the quality of the materials reflects on the price. It is remarkable how the price of lahmacun, one of the most beloved flavors of Turkish cuisine, varies by district. Lahmacun sold for 60 liras in Esenler reaches up to 250 liras in Gokturk. Shopkeepers selling cheaply interpret the price change as rent and personnel expenses, while those selling expensively emphasize that meat and the quality of materials used affect the prices. Citizens point out that lahmacun should be priced at an average of 100 lira, stating that they do not trust a 50 lira lahmacun.
“We will sell cheap so that people can buy” Gündüz Çoklu, who has been a shopkeeper in Esenler for 30 years, stated that he sells lahmacun for 60 liras, saying, “We will sell cheap so that people can buy.” Çoklu explained that many of his customers prepare their own ingredients at home and bring them, stating that they make lahmacun for those who bring their ingredients for 7.5 liras. Çoklu, who said that the price of one kilogram of ground meat is 550 liras, stated that they make 25-30 lahmacuns on average with this. Çoklu stated, “When we calculate it at 60 liras, it costs approximately 1800-2000 liras. If 1000 liras of it goes to expenses, the remaining belongs to us. In most places, lahmacun is 100-200 liras, they are ripping people off. An average price of 75-80 liras is suitable. The lahmacun we sell leaves us with a 45% profit.”
Emphasizing the rents Some establishments sell lahmacun with a 70% profit, Çoklu stated, “If their rent is 200 thousand liras, mine is 10 thousand liras. If they pay 5 thousand liras to an employee, I pay 2 thousand liras. The ideal lahmacun should be a minimum of 70 and at most 80 liras. There are lahmacuns sold for 40-50 liras. Some put stones and concept oil in it. The meat should be clean and nice.” Zeki Temizoglu, a kebab shop owner in Fatih for 25 years, also said he sells lahmacun for 70 liras, and those who sell expensive mention that their rent expenses are high.
“A GOOD LAHMACUN SHOULD BE LESS THAN 150 LIRAS” Mevlüt Demir, a shopkeeper with 8 years of experience working at a lahmacun shop in Kadikoy, said that a good lahmacun should not be less than 150 liras.
PRICE REACHES 250 LIRAS IN GOKTURK Chef Erdal Demir, who has a restaurant in Gokturk and mentioned that a good lahmacun would not be cheap, stated that they sell it for 250 liras, saying, “1 kilogram of tomatoes costs 35 liras, a kilogram of meat costs 600 liras, a kilogram of kapya pepper costs 80 liras, and a kilogram of onions costs 35 liras, so if you can get out of this, do so. I say that a good lahmacun is never cheap. A good lahmacun is always expensive.”