It is pretty much accepted internationally that Turkish cuisine is amazing. One of the things that contributes to this great reputation is the variety in it. Depending on which region you are in, you will find a host of different local dishes.
Hidden Wonders specializes in Eastern Black Sea of Turkey so below you will find food we think you should try when you are visiting this region.
1. Muhlama
Not much can go wrong when you mix cornflour, cheese and butter. Muhlama is a fondue that is made with the rich local butter that is thickened with cornflour which make is stretchy.
This mouthwatering dish is traditionally served with a wooden spoon and local bread to tame the strings of the fondue so that you can enjoy every dunk with minimum mess.
2. Hamsi (Anchovy)
Similar to coastal region, fish plays a big role in Black Sea cuisine. Hamsi can be part of dinner, lunch or even breakfast.
Locals have been very creative in how they use it in their dish. They simply grill or fry it or cook it with rice. They make omelet with it or make a pancake mixed with vegetables so you can start your day with hamsi.
And of course, there is something called hamsili ekmek- anchovy bread.
3. Kara lahana (Kale)
You can see kara lahana at any local house’s veggie patch as this one is a staple for people of black sea coupled with the next item: corn bread.
They usually make a soup with and mix in the famous local white beans or roll it up filling it with fragrant spices and rice.
4. Misir Ekmegi (Corn Bread)
If you have been in Turkey before, you probably know that bread is served at each meal.
In this region, you will find that corn bread is more commonly served than the usual white bread.
You can dunk it in your kara lahana stew, spread the local rich butter over it while it is warm or enjoy a drizzle of black hive honey atop it.
5. Laz Boregi
You might be thinking that this one is a savoury dish because of ‘borek’ being in there but this is a local dessert similar to baklava. It is made with hundreds layers of filo pastry made with thick custard in the middle and finished of with sweet syrup. It gets its name from the Laz people- an ethnic group within the region of Black Sea.
6. Findik (Hazelnut)
Even though you may have never been to Turkey, its hazelnut has probably been in your tummy more than once.
Turkey grows 70-80% of the world’s hazelnut. If you enjoy your hazelnut spread or hazelnut latte, you will love the freshly harvested and dried hazelnut straight from the producer even more!
We also recommend to try roasting them on the traditional ovens that are located in all village houses- you can visit any of these houses during our tours.
7. Pide
You can order this one kapali- closed- like a calzone or the regular which looks like a pizza.
Black Sea’s pide is famous for its creamy butter and egg topping but you can choose to add other toppings.
8. Guvecte kuru fasulye (White Beans Stew)
We know, white bean stew may not sound that appetising but we have a strong feeling after you try Black Sea version of it, you might change the way you see the humble white beans. They are cooked with beef and of course plenty of butter that creates a hearty, succulent stew so thick you can scoop it up with your bread.
A bonus: Tea
Maybe you have not been to Turkey yet, but you might have heard of the famous Turkish tea, not the orange sweet stuff they sell at touristy spots, the amber coloured one served in tulip shaped glasses.
Turkish people love their tea and you will be surprised to find out Rize in Black Sea pretty much is the only supplier for the whole country and more is grown in the region for export. You will see tea gardens all over this city during our tours and you might even get to experience harvesting it.
