Marmara

Situated by the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea, this region is home to the gastrocity capital of the world: İstanbul. You can find all sorts of local and international restaurants, traditional and fusion recipes, talented chefs, and exciting gastronomy adventures in İstanbul.

Only a few kilometers off İstanbul, Bursa also offers some of the most delicious tastes of traditional Turkish cuisine. A local delicacy, İskender Kebab features tasty meat accompanied by toasted bread, tomato sauce, a dollop of yoghurt, and sizzling butter. Candied chestnuts are also a type of popular snack to be enjoyed.

Marmara region is also where Thrace is located. Thrace cuisine is a type of Turkish cuisine specific to the Thrace region of Turkey, which includes the provinces of Edirne, Tekirdağ, and Kırklareli. The region is known for its rich farmland, and as a result, the cuisine is heavily influenced by agriculture and livestock farming.

This means that dishes often feature locally-sourced meat and dairy products, as well as a variety of fruits, vegetables, high-quality olives, and olive oil from Gemlik. Fresh seafood and wine production are also prominent in this region. Trakya köfte (meatballs) made from Thracian grass-fed lambs, Ezine cheese, and other locally produced cheese varieties to accompany wines are what makes this region stand out in terms of gastronomy.

Some popular dishes from Thrace include Tekirdağ meatballs, Edirne’s fried beef livers, lamb chops, and as a dessert Höşmerim, made with delicious local cheese. Çanakkale’s tasty cheese varieties such as Bayramiç Beyazı and Ezine cheese are must-haves. Locally produced olives and freshly caught sardines are some of the other delicacies that need to be sampled.

To get more information about Marmara cuisine, visit here and here.