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With its red-and-white awning at Bangkok's chichi Sun Square boutique mall, the six-month-old Ibo Turkish restaurant just off Silom Road resembles Istiklal Caddesi, Istanbul's upscale shopping and dining district.

But there's an Islamic prayer room above the restaurant and, unlike many places in Turkey, it doesn't serve the fiery aniseed liquor arak.

Of course, the main attraction is the delectable food, the centuries-old cuisine with influences from the Middle East and southeastern Europe.

"We offer something different than the Arabic food on Sukhumvit Soi 3/1," says co-owner Mustafa Senoz.

The home-style hummus is certainly thicker than what you find on Sukhumvit near Nana. It's eaten, along with other mezze treats like babaganush and yoghurt, with pita bread and the uniquely Turkish lavas bread.

Bread is also used to scoop up soslu patlican, a super-smooth, garlic-flavoured tomato-and-eggplant dish.

"I've been living in Thailand for three years," Senoz says. "I've cooked in Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. I started cooking when I was 11, in my family's restaurant."

The restaurant has plenty of kebab platters, and strong shots of tea are served

in dainty glasses, while Turkish coffee comes in thimble-like cups.

For dessert, save room for an array of sweets in which light honey plays a starring role, such as sekerpare.