Dishes you should try in Mamak: Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole), Etli Ekmek (meat flatbread) and Tarhana Çorbası (yoghurt, tomato and flour soup). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Mamak is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Mamak
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Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole)
Ankara tava, lamb cooked with onions and peppers in a casserole, is on the menus of traditional restaurants in Mamak.
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Etli Ekmek (meat flatbread)
Thin dough topped with minced meat and spices and baked in a stone oven, etli ekmek is a widespread dish in Mamak.
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Tarhana Çorbası (yoghurt, tomato and flour soup)
Tarhana, made by mixing yoghurt, tomato and wheat flour and drying the mixture, is an essential soup for winter tables.
Dishes from Ankara Cuisine
What to eat in Ankara →These dishes are known throughout Ankara province; see the provincial food guide for details.
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Ankara Tavası (Ankara oven-baked meat and rice)
An old Ankara dish in which sautéed meat and vegetables are baked in the oven in meat stock with rice or vermicelli; at weddings, hıdrellez and mesire picnics it is eaten with cacık, pickles and hoşaf.
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Ankara Simidi (Ankara sesame bread ring)
An indispensable part of the Ankara breakfast.
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Beypazarı Kurusu (Beypazarı dry biscuit)
A biscuit baked in stone ovens from flour, milk, butter and yeast, which stays fresh for a year; it received a geographical indication on 14 May 2013.
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Beypazarı Cevizli Tatlı Sucuk (walnut sweet sausage)
A sweet with a geographical indication, made by dipping strings of walnut kernels in molasses dough and drying them.
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Çubuk Turşusu (Çubuk pickles)
The best-known pickle of Ankara breakfast tables and dinner tables.
What to Buy in Mamak: Local Products
- Mamak Kutludüğün Ekşi Maya Ekmeği (sourdough bread) Mamak Kutludüğün Ekşi Maya Ekmeği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 August 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 827). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Mamak Municipality.
- Mamak Ravak Yoğurdu (Mamak Ravak yoghurt) Mamak Ravak Yoğurdu was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 August 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 828). Product group: dairy products other than cheese and butter. Registered by: Mamak Municipality.
What Mamak Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Migrant Mosaic
Mamak is a cosmopolitan district that has received migrants from different regions of Türkiye. Communities from the Black Sea, Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia have created a rich cultural mosaic.
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Hüseyin Gazi Tradition
Mount Hüseyin Gazi has had spiritual significance for local people for centuries. The tomb at the summit and its surroundings are used as a place of visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Mamak?
Mamak is known for 3 local dishes, above all Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole), Etli Ekmek (meat flatbread) and Tarhana Çorbası (yoghurt, tomato and flour soup). Ankara tava, lamb cooked with onions and peppers in a casserole, is on the menus of traditional restaurants in Mamak.
What is Mamak famous for?
Mamak is known for Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole), Mamak Kutludüğün Ekşi Maya Ekmeği (sourdough bread) and Migrant Mosaic. Its best-known sights include Mount Hüseyin Gazi and Hatip River.
What to buy in Mamak?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Mamak include Mamak Kutludüğün Ekşi Maya Ekmeği (sourdough bread) and Mamak Ravak Yoğurdu (Mamak Ravak yoghurt).
Mamak Travel Guide
What to Eat in Other Districts of Ankara
- Akyurt 4 dishes Akyurt Fıtı Çorbası, Akyurt Soğuk Çorbası and Akyurt Toyga Aşı
- Altındağ 3 dishes Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole), İşkembe Çorbası (tripe soup) and Döner Kebap
- Ayaş 3 dishes Ayaş Mantısı (baked Ayaş dumplings), Keşkek (wheat and meat dish) and Bazlama (griddle flatbread)
- Balâ 4 dishes Tarhana Çorbası (fermented grain and yoghurt soup), Tandır Ekmeği (clay-oven bread) and Kuzu Çevirme (whole spit-roasted lamb)
- Beypazarı 6 dishes Beypazarı Cevizli Tatlı Sucuk (walnut sweet sausage), Beypazarı Dolması (stuffed dish) and Beypazarı Havuç Lokumu (carrot delight)
- Çamlıdere 6 dishes Çamlıdere Höşmerim Dessert, Çamlıdere Mantısı and Keşkek
- Çankaya 3 dishes Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole), Çubuk Turşusu (Çubuk pickles) and Ankara Simidi (sesame bread ring)
- Çubuk 4 dishes Çubuk Agat Taşı (Çubuk agate), Çubuk Turşusu (Çubuk pickles) and Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole)
- Elmadağ 2 dishes Ankara Tava and Tandır Kebabı
- Etimesgut 2 dishes Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole) and Pide
- Evren 2 dishes Keşkek (wheat and meat dish) and Tarhana Çorbası (yoghurt, tomato and flour soup)
- Gölbaşı 4 dishes Gölbaşı Sevgi Çiçeği, Lake Fish and Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole)
- Güdül 4 dishes Trout, Keşkek (pounded wheat and meat) and Bazlama (griddle bread)
- Haymana 6 dishes Haymana Pidesi, Keşkek and Tandır Bread
- Kahramankazan 3 dishes Ankara Tava, Keşkek and Sac Kavurma
- Kalecik 3 dishes Kalecik Karası Şarabı (Kalecik Karası red wine), Pekmez (grape molasses) and Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole)
- Keçiören 3 dishes Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole), İşkembe Çorbası (tripe soup) and Etli Ekmek (meat flatbread)
- Kızılcahamam 3 dishes Kızılcahamam Pidesi, Alabalık (trout) and Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge)
- Nallıhan 4 dishes Nallıhan Pide, Keşkek and Alabalık (Trout)
- Polatlı 5 dishes Polatlı İşkembe Çorbası (Polatlı Tripe Soup), Polatlı Tandır Kebabı and Ankara Tava
- Pursaklar 2 dishes Ankara Tava and Etli Ekmek (Meat Bread)
- Sincan 3 dishes Ankara Tava, Pide and Tarhana Soup
- Şereflikoçhisar 4 dishes Şereflikoçhisar Tahinli Pidesi (tahini flatbread), Tuz Lake Fish and Keşkek (wheat and meat dish)
- Yenimahalle 3 dishes Ankara Tava, AOÇ Ice Cream and AOÇ Beer