Dishes you should try in Susurluk: Susurluk Ayranı, Susurluk Tostu, Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge) and Ayran. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Susurluk is famous for.
Last updated:
Famous Dishes of Susurluk
-
Susurluk Ayranı
Susurluk ayran, with its thick froth and creamy texture, is the most famous ayran in Türkiye and is whipped by special methods. The production tradition that began in the 1950s has earned a geographical indication.
-
Susurluk Tostu
Served alongside Susurluk ayran, the toastie is made with sucuk, kaşar and tomato. It is an essential refreshment stop for travellers on the Istanbul–Izmir road.
-
Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge)
Keşkek is made by cooking cracked wheat and lamb for hours and then pounding them together. In Susurluk it is the traditional dish of weddings and festive holiday tables.
-
Ayran
The district is known for its ayran.
Dishes from Balıkesir Cuisine
What to eat in Balıkesir →These dishes are known throughout Balıkesir province; see the provincial food guide for details.
-
Balıkesir Höşmerim (cheese and semolina dessert)
A dessert made with cheese, semolina and syrup, with a registered geographical indication.
-
Balıkesir Kaymaklısı (clotted-cream dessert)
A clotted-cream dessert with a registered geographical indication.
-
Susurluk Ayranı and Tostu
Frothy Susurluk ayran, served with the Susurluk toasted sandwich (tost); both are registered.
-
Balıkesir Düğün Çorbası (wedding soup)
A traditional soup with a registered geographical indication.
-
Ayvalık Lor Tatlısı (curd-cheese dessert)
An Ayvalık dessert made with lor (curd) cheese, with a registered geographical indication.
-
Balıkesir Tombul Bamyası (Balıkesir plump okra)
Small-podded okra registered with a protected designation of origin.
What to Buy in Susurluk: Local Products
- Susurluk Ayranı Susurluk Ayranı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 20 November 2017 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 238). Product group: soft drinks. Registered by: Susurluk Chamber of Commerce.
- Susurluk Tostu Susurluk Tostu was registered as a protected geographical indication on 20 November 2017 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 239). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Susurluk Chamber of Commerce.
What Susurluk Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
-
Ayran Culture
Susurluk is known as the ayran capital of Türkiye. The tradition of frothy ayran, which began in the 1950s, has become an inseparable part of the district's cultural identity. An annual ayran festival celebrates this tradition.
-
Roadside Break Culture
Thanks to its position on the Istanbul–Izmir highway, Susurluk has become a traditional stopping point for travellers. Ayran and toastie hospitality is one of the symbols of Turkish road culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Susurluk?
Susurluk is known for 4 local dishes, above all Susurluk Ayranı, Susurluk Tostu, Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge) and Ayran. Susurluk ayran, with its thick froth and creamy texture, is the most famous ayran in Türkiye and is whipped by special methods. The production tradition that began in the 1950s has earned a geographical indication.
What is Susurluk famous for?
Susurluk is known for Susurluk Ayranı and Ayran Culture. Its best-known sights include Susurluk Ayran Stop and Susurluk Bazaar Mosque.
What to buy in Susurluk?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Susurluk include Susurluk Ayranı and Susurluk Tostu.
Susurluk Travel Guide
- Things to Do in Susurluk 6 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)
- 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)