Bursa is an important city in Turkey’s Marmara Region and has a rich culinary tradition that bears the traces of various cultural interactions throughout history. Bursa cuisine has been shaped with various flavors since the time it was the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Here are some important dishes from Bursa cuisine:
İskender Kebab: The most famous dish of Bursa, İskender Kebap is served on doner kebab with tomato sauce fried in butter and yoghurt. It is usually served with lavash or pita.
İnegöl Meatballs: İnegöl Meatballs, a famous flavor of İnegöl, a district close to Bursa, are usually served with greens and rice alongside the meatballs.
Kemalpaşa Dessert: Famous for its dense syrup and soft consistency, Kemalpaşa Dessert is one of the original desserts of Bursa. The dessert is prepared by adding semolina dough into boiling syrup and is usually served with walnuts.
Chestnut Candy: Chestnut candy, one of Bursa’s local delicacies, is prepared by boiling chestnuts in a sugary sherbet. Candied chestnuts are usually filled and served with walnuts or hazelnuts.
İskilip Dolması: İskilip Dolması, prepared with cabbage leaves and filled with rice, minced meat and spices, is one of the popular local dishes of Bursa.
Lamb Tandoori: Frequently consumed in Bursa cuisine, lamb tandoori is prepared by marinating lamb meat with special spices and cooking it for a long time, and is usually served with pilaf or bulgur pilaf.
Kemalpaşa Milk Dessert: Kemalpaşa Milk Dessert, the famous dessert of Kemalpaşa, is prepared by cooking semolina halva in a milky sherbet. It is usually served with walnuts or peanuts sprinkled on it.
Pumpkin Dessert: Pumpkin Dessert is one of the popular desserts of Bursa cuisine. Pumpkin slices are cooked with sugar and served with walnuts sprinkled on top.
Kemalpaşa Kebab: This type of kebab, named after the Kemalpaşa district, is served with roasted eggplant and tomatoes. It is usually consumed with yoghurt and bread.
Stuffed Black Cabbage: Stuffed Black Cabbage, a delicacy frequently made in Bursa during the winter months, is prepared by wrapping the stuffing with black cabbage leaves. The stuffing contains rice, minced meat and spices.
Bursa Liver Kebab: Bursa Liver Kebab, a unique kebab type of Bursa, is prepared by marinating thinly sliced liver with special spices and cooking it on a barbecue. It is usually served with hot sauce and salad.
Karagöz Dessert: Karagöz Dessert, one of the historical desserts of Bursa, is among the sherbet desserts. It is prepared by adding walnuts into thin dough and combined with sherbet.
Rice pudding: One of the indispensable desserts of Bursa cuisine, rice pudding is a milk-rice dessert. It is baked in the oven until golden brown and usually served with cinnamon.