Dishes you should try in Gönen: Balıkesir Gönen Pirinci (Gönen rice), Gönen Pidesi, Keşkek (cracked wheat and meat dish) and Höşmerim (cheese dessert). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Gönen is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Gönen
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Balıkesir Gönen Pirinci (Gönen rice)
Balıkesir Gönen Pirinci was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 May 2025 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1734). Product group: other products. Registered by: Gönen Chamber of Agriculture.
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Gönen Pidesi
Gönen pide, with thin dough and generous fillings, is the district's best-known flavour, in minced meat, cheese and diced meat varieties. It is baked in a stone oven and served.
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Keşkek (cracked wheat and meat dish)
Made by cooking and pounding cracked wheat and lamb for hours, keşkek is the traditional dish of wedding and festival tables in Gönen.
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Höşmerim (cheese dessert)
Made by melting fresh cheese in butter and cooking it with sugar, höşmerim is Gönen's traditional dessert. It is served warm.
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 Gönen: Local Products
- Gönen İğne Oyası (Gönen needle lace) Gönen İğne Oyası was registered as a protected geographical indication on 29 August 2014 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 184). Product group: handicrafts other than carpets, kilims and textiles. Registered by: Gönen Municipality.
- Gönen Rice The Gönen plain is one of Türkiye's most important rice production areas. Baldo and Osmancık varieties are grown, and Gönen rice has received a geographical indication registration.
- Thermal Water Products Mineral waters obtained from Gönen's geothermal sources are used in bottled drinking water and cosmetic products.
What Gönen Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Thermal Heritage
Gönen's thermal waters have been used for healing since Roman times. The spa tradition from ancient Asepsus to the present day forms the basis of the district's cultural identity.
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Rice Farming Tradition
Rice farming, maintained for generations on the Gönen plain, is an integral part of the district's economic and cultural life. The harvest season is celebrated with traditional festivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Gönen?
Gönen is known for 4 local dishes, above all Balıkesir Gönen Pirinci (Gönen rice), Gönen Pidesi, Keşkek (cracked wheat and meat dish) and Höşmerim (cheese dessert). Balıkesir Gönen Pirinci was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 May 2025 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1734). Product group: other products. Registered by: Gönen Chamber of Agriculture.
What is Gönen famous for?
Gönen is known for Balıkesir Gönen Pirinci (Gönen rice), Gönen İğne Oyası (Gönen needle lace) and Thermal Heritage. Its best-known sights include Gönen Hot Springs and Asepsus Ancient City.
What to buy in Gönen?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Gönen include Gönen İğne Oyası (Gönen needle lace), Gönen Rice and Thermal Water Products.
Gönen Travel Guide
- Things to Do in Gönen 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
- Bigadiç 4 dishes Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge), Mantı (dumplings) and Gözleme (savoury flatbread)
- 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
- 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)