Dishes you should try in Bigadiç: Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge), Mantı (dumplings), Gözleme (savoury flatbread) and Bigadiç Güveci (Bigadiç casserole). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Bigadiç is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Bigadiç
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Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
Keşkek, prepared by cooking cracked wheat and lamb for a long time and pounding them, is the traditional dish of wedding and holiday tables in Bigadiç.
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Mantı (dumplings)
Bigadiç mantısı is prepared by boiling small pieces of dough filled with minced meat, then pouring over garlic yoghurt and sizzling butter.
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Gözleme (savoury flatbread)
Thinly rolled yufka dough filled with cheese, spinach or potato and cooked on a griddle; one of the basic flavours of Bigadiç's rural cuisine.
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Bigadiç Güveci (Bigadiç casserole)
Closely associated with the district, this casserole is also known as kid casserole; it is made with kid and lamb meat.
Dishes from Balıkesir Cuisine
What to eat in Balıkesir →These dishes are known throughout Balıkesir province; see the provincial food guide for details.
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Balıkesir Höşmerim (cheese and semolina dessert)
A dessert made with cheese, semolina and syrup, with a registered geographical indication.
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Balıkesir Kaymaklısı (clotted-cream dessert)
A clotted-cream dessert with a registered geographical indication.
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Susurluk Ayranı and Tostu
Frothy Susurluk ayran, served with the Susurluk toasted sandwich (tost); both are registered.
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Balıkesir Düğün Çorbası (wedding soup)
A traditional soup with a registered geographical indication.
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Ayvalık Lor Tatlısı (curd-cheese dessert)
An Ayvalık dessert made with lor (curd) cheese, with a registered geographical indication.
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Balıkesir Tombul Bamyası (Balıkesir plump okra)
Small-podded okra registered with a protected designation of origin.
What to Buy in Bigadiç: Local Products
- Boron Mineral (Bor Minerali) Bigadiç holds a significant part of the world's boron reserves. Boron is a strategic mineral used in the glass, ceramics, agriculture and energy sectors.
- Olives and Olive Oil (Zeytin ve Zeytinyağı) Olives grown in the southern parts of the district are turned into olive oil by traditional methods.
What Bigadiç Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Mining Tradition (Madencilik Geleneği)
Bigadiç's economic and cultural identity has been shaped by boron mining. The presence of Eti Maden İşletmeleri has brought a skilled workforce and modern infrastructure to the district.
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Yörük Culture (Yörük Kültürü)
The Yörük communities living in the mountainous parts of the district continue traditional livestock farming and handicrafts. Yörük festivals and rug weaving are living examples of this culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Bigadiç?
Bigadiç is known for 4 local dishes, above all Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge), Mantı (dumplings), Gözleme (savoury flatbread) and Bigadiç Güveci (Bigadiç casserole). Keşkek, prepared by cooking cracked wheat and lamb for a long time and pounding them, is the traditional dish of wedding and holiday tables in Bigadiç.
What is Bigadiç famous for?
Bigadiç is known for Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge), Boron Mineral (Bor Minerali) and Mining Tradition (Madencilik Geleneği). Its best-known sights include Bigadiç Boron Mine (Bigadiç Bor Madeni) and Bigadiç Hot Springs (Bigadiç Kaplıcaları).
What to buy in Bigadiç?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Bigadiç include Boron Mineral (Bor Minerali) and Olives and Olive Oil (Zeytin ve Zeytinyağı).
Bigadiç Travel Guide
- Things to Do in Bigadiç 5 places to visit
- What to Eat in Balıkesir All the famous dishes of the province
What to Eat in Other Districts of Balıkesir
- Altıeylül 4 dishes Balıkesir Bandırma Köftesi (Bandırma meatballs), Höşmerim (cheese dessert) and Keşkek (cracked wheat and meat dish)
- Ayvalık 5 dishes Ayvalık Kelle Peyniri/Ayvalık Sepet Peyniri, Ayvalık Lor Tatlısı and Ayvalık Zeytinyağı (Ayvalık olive oil)
- Balya 5 dishes Keşkek, Höşmerim and Ev Eriştesi
- Bandırma 3 dishes Bandırma Pidesi, Kuş Gölü Levreği and Keşkek
- Burhaniye 5 dishes Burhaniye Olive Oil, Zeytinyağlı Enginar and Papalina Tava
- Dursunbey 5 dishes Keşkek (pounded wheat and meat), Çullama (lamb on yufka) and Höşmerim
- Edremit 5 dishes Edremit Zeytinyağı (Edremit olive oil), Edremit Zeytinyağlı Yemekleri (vegetables cooked in olive oil) and Kazdağı Alabalığı (Kazdağı trout)
- Erdek 7 dishes Erdek Kapıdağ Zeytinyağı, Erdek Balık Çorbası (fish soup) and Çinekop Tava (fried çinekop fish)
- Gömeç 5 dishes Olive Oil Wild Herb Dishes, Papalina Tava and Gözleme
- Gönen 4 dishes Balıkesir Gönen Pirinci (Gönen rice), Gönen Pidesi and Keşkek (cracked wheat and meat dish)
- Havran 4 dishes Zeytinyağlı Enginar (artichokes in olive oil), Keşkek (cracked wheat and meat dish) and Gözleme (stuffed flatbread)
- İvrindi 5 dishes İvrindi Kelle Peyniri, Keşkek (pounded wheat and meat) and Höşmerim (sweet cheese dessert)
- Kareşi 4 dishes Balıkesir Köftesi (grilled beef meatballs), Höşmerim (fresh cheese dessert) and Keşkek (pounded wheat and lamb)
- Kepsut 3 dishes Kepsut Bükdere Küflü Katık Peyniri, Höşmerim (cheese and semolina dessert) and Balıkesir Tiridi (lamb and bread stew)
- Manyas 4 dishes Manyas Kelle Peyniri, Göl Levreği (Lake sea bass) and Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge)
- Marmara 3 dishes Ada Balığı (island fish), Avşa Şarabı Eşliğinde Meze (meze with Avşa wine) and Gözleme
- Savaştepe
- Sındırgı 3 dishes Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge), Çullama (lamb and onion on yufka) and Höşmerim (cheese and semolina dessert)
- Susurluk 4 dishes Susurluk Ayranı, Susurluk Tostu and Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge)