Afyonkarahisar Province

Made with a special kind of dehydrated bread soaked in sugar syrup, the delicious ekmek kadayıfı is traditionally prepared during Turkish religious celebrations such as Şeker Bayramı (lit. festival of sweets), which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. This simple, yet bou... Read more

Known as sujuk to the rest of the world, afyon sucuġu is a dry-fermented, spicy sausage, traditionally produced in Afyonkarahisar, a Turkish province nestled inland from the Aegean Sea coast. Sucuġu is a halāl-certified product consisting of ground beef that's typically... Read more

Traditionally produced in the Aegean province of Afyonkarahisar, Pastırması is a Halāl certified cured meat product of Anatolian origin. Also known as pastirma, pastourma, bastirma, basterma or basturma (Turkish for 'pressed meat'), the heavil... Read more

Originating from Türkiye’s Aegean region, çöp şis is a kebab variety which, in modern Turkish, could be translated as trash shish or garbage shish. Despite the indecent connotations, this delicious dish is made with roasted la... Read more

Menemen is a traditional spread consisting of tomatoes, eggs, peppers, and various spices. There are many version of menemen, so it can also contain garlic, cheese, spinach, sausage pieces, or onions (when menemen is served as a main dish). It is usually sold at breakfast or brunch places in Turk... Read more

İzmir köfte is a Turkish comfort food dish consisting of köfte (meatballs), peppers, and potatoes in a simple tomato sauce. The dish can either be prepared on a stove or baked in the oven. Köfte are typically made with ground beef or lamb, onions, flour, stale bread, and eggs, flav... Read more

Boyoz is a Turkish pastry that was brought over to the country by Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Spain in the late 15th century. Nowadays, it is prepared exclusively in Izmir, following the original recipe. The pastry is made with flour, sunflower oil, and tahini. Tahini increases the nutrient ... Read more

Kadinbudu köfte (lit. lady’s thigh köfte) is a Turkish dish made with ground beef or lamb, rice, onions, eggs, flour, oil, and various spices. It is believed that the unusual name stems from the Ottoman era because it resembled women’s thighs at the time. The meatballs are c... Read more

Typically associated with Çeşme, kumru is a toasted sandwich prepared with an artisanal bread that is typically enriched with chickpea flour. It was originally prepared with sinik, a circular bread that was sold by street vendors, but it achieved its current form in the 1950s when... Read more

Çökertme kebabı is a traditional kebab variety originating from the Bodrum area. The dish consists of marinated strips of veal that are served with tiny fried potatoes, tomato sauce, and yogurt. The marinade is usually made with milk, olive oil, cumin, salt, and paprika, while the yog... Read more

Şambali, also sometimes spelled as şambali tatlısı is a traditional dessert originating from İzmir. It is mainly made with semolina, sugar, and yogurt. Additionally, it may contain other ingredients like coconut, depending on the recipe or regional variations. The dessert is baked and then soaked... Read more

İzmir bombası, also known as praline stuffed cookies, is a distinct type of qurabiya (a type of Arab and Ottoman shortbread cookie) from Turkish cuisine that boasts a chocolate spread filling. Originating from İzmir, this dessert features a crispy outer layer of dough, which encases its fluid cre... Read more

Tire köftesi refers to a special type of ground meat dish that originates from the Tire district of İzmir, Türkiye. Tire köftesi consists of minced meat (often lamb or a mix of beef and lamb), breadcrumbs or stale bread soaked in milk or water, onions, g... Read more

Manisa kebap is a dish of grilled meat patties made with ground lamb and beef, seasoned with salt and spices. The kebabs are served on a bed of pita, which absorbs the flavorful meat juices and are topped with a rich tomato-based sauce. Accompaniments typically include grilled green peppers, toma... Read more

Şevketibostan yemeği is a traditional Turkish dish made with şevketibostan, also known as prickly golden thistle, a wild herb popular in Aegean and Mediterranean cuisines. The dish features the herb's tender stems and roots, carefully cleaned and simmered to highlight its slightly bitter, earthy ... Read more

Nestled in the heart of the Menderes river valley, the historical region of Aydin is best known for its flavorful figs, which have been cultivated in the Mediterranean for centuries. Aydin figs typically yield after 5 years, but are able to bear fruit for up to 50 years from planting. After being... Read more

One of the most common Turkish fruits is definitely the chestnut from the fruitful Aydin province, grown for a thousand years in the high plains near the Buyuk Menderes river. Due to its high mineral and nutritional contents, these chestnuts are valuable as natural power food used to remedy menta... Read more

Milas Zeytinyağı DOP is a dark green/yellow extra virgin olive oil that has a pungent, fruity aroma and is reminiscent of grass and characterized by flavors of pepper and black pepper. The olive oil is made from olive varieties grown in the Milas municipality and obtained by mechanical means. The... Read more

Çalkarasi is a red Turkish grape that originated in Çal, Denizli province. In the past, it was primarily used in blends, but several producers have proven that it has a versatile character and great potential as a varietal wine. It is mainly used in the production of fresh ... Read more