Bursa is one of the gastronomic capitals of Turkey, and its deep-rooted culinary culture has been carried over from the Ottoman Empire to the present day. From meat dishes to desserts with sherbet, from unique pitas to dairy desserts, you can find many options that appeal to your taste buds in Bursa cuisine. So, what to eat in Bursa? What are the famous dishes of Bursa?
Here are 10 unique flavours you must taste in Bursa:
The first dish that comes to mind when you think of Bursa is undoubtedly Iskender kebab. Pita bread is laid under the doner, blended with butter and tomato sauce and served with yoghurt. The hot butter poured on top is the most striking detail of this dish. Don't forget to visit the historical kebab shops in Bursa to taste the original.
If you are looking for a light and delicious dessert, Bursa-style milk halva is for you. Prepared with flour, milk and butter, this dessert is baked in the oven until lightly browned. It is a very special dessert with its silky consistency and slightly caramelised top layer.
Cantık, the local pita of Bursa, is like a mini meat pizza with its round shape. It is usually cooked in a stone oven with a filling prepared with lamb minced meat, tomatoes, onions and spices. Light and filling, it is one of the flavours that can be consumed at any time of the day in Bursa.
Chestnut candy, prepared with chestnuts grown in the foothills of Uludağ, is one of the most famous souvenirs of Bursa. Sweetened with sugar syrup, this flavour especially wins the hearts of dessert lovers. It is available on the shelves in plain, chocolate or almond varieties.
Made with yoghurt, chicken meat, wheat and sometimes vegetables, Muradiye soup is one of the local recipes of Bursa. This soup, which will warm you up especially in the winter months with its soft texture, offers a nutritious starter option with its rich ingredient content.
The crown jewel of breakfasts and tea times. Pita with tahini, which is baked by spreading plenty of tahini and sugar on thin dough, also meets the need for a dessert with its slightly crispy consistency. You can find it hot in many bakeries in Bursa.
This meatball, which is unique to Bursa's İnegöl district, remains soft and juicy thanks to the kneading of veal meat and puffing with only baking soda. The fact that there is no bread or egg inside distinguishes it from other meatballs. It makes a delicious menu with roasted peppers and ayran.
Prepared by placing walnuts or hazelnuts between thinly rolled dough, this dessert with sherbet got its name from its slightly curved form. After meeting with sherbet, it makes a great duo with tea. A must-try for dessert lovers.
Meatballs with pita, which can be defined as the meatball version of Iskender, is served with buttered pita underneath, meatballs on top, tomato sauce and yoghurt. This recipe, special to Bursa, can rewrite your understanding of classic meatballs!
Named after the Mustafakemalpaşa district of Bursa, this dessert is prepared by combining milk dough with sherbet. Served with ice cream, clotted cream or coconut, it offers different flavour profiles. It is preferred the most, especially during Ramadan.