Turkey's Saltbae 'shawarma sensation' to open New York restaurant

A Turkish butcher and chef who found fame via internet videos of his unique salt sprinkling style is about to open a restaurant in New York City.

Turkey's celebrity meme factory Nusret Gokce, better known as #saltbae, will open the doors to Nusr-Et Steakhouse in Midtown over the coming weeks.

It will be Gokce's seventh restaurant and second in the US after a Miami eatery opened in November.

The Turkish chef achieved worldwide stardom with viral videos of him slicing meat that end with a dramatic dash of salt.

His internet fame earned him A-list diners, with Leonardo di Caprio, Roger Federer and DJ Khaled featured in his Instagram snaps.

The 35-year-old, rarely seen without his trademark dark shades and a crisp white t-shirt, founded Nusr-Et more than a decade ago, which has locations in cities like Istanbul and Abu Dhabi. A London branch is his next goal after the New York location hits its stride, he said.