Dishes you should try in Gerede: Gerede Şakşak Helvası, Bolu Keşkeği (wheat and meat porridge), Abant Kebabı and Tereyağlı Gözleme (buttered flatbread). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Gerede is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Gerede
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Gerede Şakşak Helvası
"Gerede Şakşak Helvası" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 November 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 587). Product group: bakery and confectionery products, pastries, desserts. Registered by: Gerede Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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Bolu Keşkeği (wheat and meat porridge)
Keşkek, made by slow-cooking crushed wheat and meat, is one of the basic dishes of Bolu cuisine.
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Abant Kebabı
This kebab, of lamb and vegetables cooked in a casserole, is specific to the Bolu region.
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Tereyağlı Gözleme (buttered flatbread)
Gözleme served hot at the facilities on the Ankara–İstanbul road, a classic of the Gerede break stop.
Dishes from Bolu Cuisine
What to eat in Bolu →These dishes are known throughout Bolu province; see the provincial food guide for details.
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Mengen Kedibatmaz
A Mengen dish with a registered geographical indication.
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Mengen Kaldırık Dolması (stuffed kaldırık)
Dolma (stuffed dish) with a registered geographical indication.
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Bolu Kabaklı Gözlemesi (Bolu pumpkin gözleme)
Gözleme (stuffed flatbread) with a registered geographical indication.
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Göynük Uğut Tatlısı
A Göynük dessert with a registered geographical indication.
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Mudurnu Basma Helva
Halva with a registered geographical indication.
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Bolu Fındık Şekeri (Bolu hazelnut candy)
A sweet with a registered geographical indication.
What to Buy in Gerede: Local Products
- Gerede Keşi "Gerede Keşi" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 14 April 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 723). Product group: dairy products other than cheese and butter. Registered by: Gerede Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Leather Gerede has a long-established tradition of tanning (debbağlık).
What Gerede Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Tanning Tradition
Tanning has been part of Gerede's craft identity for centuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Gerede?
Gerede is known for 4 local dishes, above all Gerede Şakşak Helvası, Bolu Keşkeği (wheat and meat porridge), Abant Kebabı and Tereyağlı Gözleme (buttered flatbread). "Gerede Şakşak Helvası" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 November 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 587). Product group: bakery and confectionery products, pastries, desserts. Registered by: Gerede Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
What is Gerede famous for?
Gerede is known for Gerede Şakşak Helvası, Gerede Keşi and Tanning Tradition. Its best-known sights include Mengen and Mount Arkot.
What to buy in Gerede?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Gerede include Gerede Keşi and Leather.
Gerede Travel Guide
What to Eat in Other Districts of Bolu
- Bolu Central District 4 dishes Bolu Mengen Kebabı (lamb marinated in special spices and cooked over wood fire), Bolu Mantısı (hand-rolled dumplings with garlic yoghurt) and Abant Trout
- Dörtdivan 3 dishes Keşkek, Mantar Çorbası (mushroom soup) and Şehriyeli Pilav (vermicelli rice)
- Göynük 4 dishes Bolu Göynük Uğut Tatlısı, Göynük Dik Börek/Göynük Oklava Tatlısı and Göynük Kabaklı Yufka Tatlısı
- Kıbrıscık 2 dishes Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge) and Mushroom Dishes (Mantar Yemekleri)
- Mengen 2 dishes Mengen Kaldırık Dolması and Mengen Peyniri (Mengen cheese)
- Mudurnu 6 dishes Mudurnu Bal Kabaklı Gözlemesi (pumpkin and honey flatbread), Mudurnu Basma Helva (pressed halva) and Mudurnu Kaşık Sapı (spoon-handle pastry)
- Seben 5 dishes Keşkek (wheat and meat dish), Mantar Çorbası (wild mushroom soup) and Seben elması (Seben apples)
- Yeniçağa 2 dishes Yeniçağa Trout (Yeniçağa Alabalığı) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)