Dishes you should try in Manyas: Manyas Kelle Peyniri, Göl Levreği (Lake sea bass), Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge) and Gözleme. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Manyas is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Manyas
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Manyas Kelle Peyniri
Manyas Kelle Peyniri was registered as a protected geographical indication on 16 December 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 628). Product group: cheeses. Registered by: Manyas District Governorship.
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Göl Levreği (Lake sea bass)
Freshwater sea bass from Lake Manyas, prepared grilled or steamed. Raised in the clean waters of the lake, the bass is the district's best-known dish for its delicate flavour.
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Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge)
Keşkek is made by cooking cracked wheat and lamb for hours and then pounding them together. In Manyas it is the traditional dish of weddings and festive holiday tables.
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Gözleme
Thinly rolled yufka dough filled with cheese or spinach and cooked on a griddle. Gözleme is an essential part of Manyas's rural breakfast tables.
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 Manyas: Local Products
- Manyas Kazak Fasulyesi (Manyas Kazak beans) Manyas Kazak Fasulyesi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 5 July 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1401). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Bandırma Chamber of Commerce.
- Manyas Rice Rice grown in the wetlands around Lake Manyas, and the most important agricultural product of the region. The Baldo and Osmancık varieties are grown.
- Freshwater Fish Sea bass, carp and pike caught in Lake Manyas are important local products of the district.
What Manyas Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Bird-Watching Culture
Thanks to Kuşcenneti National Park, Manyas is known as Türkiye's bird-watching centre. Every year thousands of Turkish and foreign bird watchers visit Lake Manyas.
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Rice Farming Tradition
Rice farming, carried on for generations in the Manyas plain, forms the basis of the district's economic and cultural life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Manyas?
Manyas is known for 4 local dishes, above all Manyas Kelle Peyniri, Göl Levreği (Lake sea bass), Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge) and Gözleme. Manyas Kelle Peyniri was registered as a protected geographical indication on 16 December 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 628). Product group: cheeses. Registered by: Manyas District Governorship.
What is Manyas famous for?
Manyas is known for Manyas Kelle Peyniri, Manyas Kazak Fasulyesi (Manyas Kazak beans) and Bird-Watching Culture. Its best-known sights include Manyas Lake and Kuşcenneti National Park.
What to buy in Manyas?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Manyas include Manyas Kazak Fasulyesi (Manyas Kazak beans), Manyas Rice and Freshwater Fish.
Manyas Travel Guide
- Things to Do in Manyas 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
- 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)
- 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)