Dishes you should try in Didim: Aegean Meze Spread, Ahtapot Izgara (grilled octopus) and Kabak Çiçeği Dolması (stuffed courgette flowers). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Didim is famous for.
Last updated:
Famous Dishes of Didim
-
Aegean Meze Spread
The Aegean meze spread, made of olive oil-based herbs, sea beet, spicy ezme and various olive oil dishes, is indispensable at Didim's seaside restaurants.
-
Ahtapot Izgara (grilled octopus)
Fresh octopus caught in the Aegean Sea is grilled and served with olive oil and lemon. It is one of the most popular flavours at Didim's fish restaurants.
-
Kabak Çiçeği Dolması (stuffed courgette flowers)
Prepared by filling courgette flowers with a rice filling and cooking them in olive oil. It is one of the elegant summer flavours of Aegean cuisine.
Dishes from Aydın Cuisine
What to eat in Aydın →These dishes are known throughout Aydın province; see the provincial food guide for details.
-
Aydın İnciri (Aydın figs)
Dried and fresh figs grown in the Büyük Menderes basin, registered with a designation of origin.
-
Çine Köftesi (Çine meatballs)
Çine meatballs with a registered geographical indication.
-
Söke Kulak Çorbası (Söke "ear" soup)
A registered Söke soup made with small pieces of dough.
-
Germencik Ekşili Tavuk (Germencik sour chicken)
A Germencik dish with a registered geographical indication.
-
Ortaklar Çöp Şiş (Ortaklar skewers)
A registered speciality of Ortaklar in which small pieces of meat are cooked on thin skewers.
-
Nazilli Kar Helvası (Nazilli snow halva)
A Nazilli dessert with a registered geographical indication.
What to Buy in Didim: Local Products
- Olive Oil Olive oil obtained from olives grown in Didim's Aegean climate is known for its low acidity and fruity aroma. Olive and olive oil production is an important livelihood in the area.
- Mandarin Mandarin cultivation takes place in Didim's mild climate. Sweet and juicy mandarins are among the region's important agricultural products.
What Didim Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
-
Ancient Oracle Tradition
Didyma was the most important oracle centre in the ancient world after Delphi. The priests of the Temple of Apollo gave oracles to visitors from across the Mediterranean world.
-
International Tourism Culture
Didim is a holiday resort especially popular with British and Northern European tourists. This international character has contributed to the cultural diversity of the district.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Didim?
Didim is known for 3 local dishes, above all Aegean Meze Spread, Ahtapot Izgara (grilled octopus) and Kabak Çiçeği Dolması (stuffed courgette flowers). The Aegean meze spread, made of olive oil-based herbs, sea beet, spicy ezme and various olive oil dishes, is indispensable at Didim's seaside restaurants.
What is Didim famous for?
Didim is known for Aegean Meze Spread, Olive Oil and Ancient Oracle Tradition. Its best-known sights include Temple of Apollo (Didyma) and Altınkum Beach.
What to buy in Didim?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Didim include Olive Oil and Mandarin.
Didim Travel Guide
What to Eat in Other Districts of Aydın
- Bozdoğan 4 dishes Bozdoğan Pidesi, Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge) and Gözleme
- Buharkent 3 dishes Piyaz (white bean salad), Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri (wild greens cooked in olive oil) and İncir
- Çine 3 dishes Çine Köftesi (meatballs), Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge) and Gözleme
- Efeler 4 dishes Aydın Piyazı (bean salad), Çine Köftesi (Çine meatballs) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
- Germencik 4 dishes Piyaz (white bean salad), Zeytinyağlı Enginar (artichokes in olive oil) and İncir Tatlısı (fig dessert)
- İncirliova 2 dishes Piyaz (bean salad) and İncir Tatlısı (fig dessert)
- Karacasu 4 dishes Karacasu Pidesi, Keşkek (cracked wheat and meat dish) and Gözleme (stuffed flatbread)
- Karpuzlu 2 dishes Çöp Şiş (small skewered kebabs) and Zeytinyağlı Ege Otları (Aegean herbs in olive oil)
- Koçarlı 2 dishes Zeytinyağlı Enginar (artichokes cooked in olive oil) and Gözleme
- Köşk 3 dishes Piyaz (bean salad with tahini), Keşkek (pounded wheat and meat dish) and Kestane (chestnuts)
- Kuşadası 3 dishes Ege Balık Sofrası (Aegean fish platter), Ahtapot Salatası (octopus salad) and Enginar Yemeği (artichokes in olive oil)
- Kuyucak 3 dishes Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge), Gözleme and Lavender Ice Cream
- Nazilli 2 dishes Nazilli Kar Helvası (snow dessert) and Nazilli Pidesi
- Söke 5 dishes Söke Kulak Çorbası (ear-shaped dumpling soup), Söke Kulak Tatlısı (ear-shaped dessert) and Söke Pidesi
- Sultanhisar 3 dishes Piyaz, Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri and Sultanhisar Çileği
- Yenipazar 4 dishes Yenipazar Pidesi, Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge) and Gözleme