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Salt Bae

Salt Bae is the nickname of Nusret Gökçe, a Turkish butcher, chef, and restaurateur of Kurdish origin.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Salt Bae is the nickname of Nusret Gökçe, a Turkish butcher, chef, and restaurateur of Kurdish origin. He became widely known in 2017 after a video of his theatrical salt-sprinkling gesture went viral online. He is the founder of the Nusr-Et steakhouse chain.

Early life and background

Nusret Gökçe was born on 9 August 1983 and is identified as Turkish and of Kurdish origin. Sources describe him as a butcher before his career as a chef and restaurateur.

Rise to internet fame

Gökçe became widely known in January 2017 when a video of his distinctive way of slicing and salting meat spread online. The gesture made him a viral meme and led to the nickname Salt Bae.

Nusr-Et restaurants

Gökçe founded Nusr-Et, a chain of luxury steak houses. The chain expanded internationally and, by 2021, had locations in several countries across Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Public image and media attention

Salt Bae's online persona is closely associated with theatrical meat preparation and seasoning. His public profile has remained tied to social media attention and his restaurant brand.

Key facts

  • Salt Bae is the nickname of Turkish chef and restaurateur Nusret Gökçe.
  • He became an internet meme in January 2017 after a video of him seasoning meat went viral.
  • Gökçe founded Nusr-Et, a luxury steakhouse chain.
  • By 2021, Nusr-Et had branches in multiple countries, including Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
  • He is described in sources as a butcher, chef, and restaurateur.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Salt Bae?
Salt Bae is the nickname of Nusret Gökçe, a Turkish butcher, chef, and restaurateur known for a viral salt-sprinkling gesture.
Why is he called Salt Bae?
The nickname comes from his theatrical way of salting meat, which made him an internet meme in 2017.
What is Nusr-Et?
Nusr-Et is a luxury steakhouse chain founded by Nusret Gökçe.
When did Salt Bae become famous?
He became widely famous in January 2017 after a video of his meat-seasoning technique went viral.
What is Salt Bae's nationality?
He is Turkish.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Bae
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, Kurdish origin, occupations, viral fame, and Nusr-Et ownership/expansion.
  2. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/culture/memes/salt-bae
    Supports: Nickname explanation and description of the theatrical meat-seasoning gesture.
  3. India Today — https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/celebrity/story/who-is-salt-bae-and-why-is-he-trending-2312712-2022-12-23
    Supports: 2017 viral fame and identification of Nusret Gokce as a Turkish butcher, chef, and entrepreneur.