Dishes you should try in Mengen: Mengen Kaldırık Dolması and Mengen Peyniri (Mengen cheese). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Mengen is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Mengen
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Mengen Kaldırık Dolması
"Mengen Kaldırık Dolması" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 19 July 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1167). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Mengen Municipality.
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Mengen Peyniri (Mengen cheese)
"Mengen Peyniri" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 October 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1482). Product group: cheeses. Registered by: Mengen District Governorship and Mengen Municipality.
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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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 Mengen: Local Products
- Mengen Höşmerimi "Mengen Höşmerimi" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 19 July 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1169). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Mengen Municipality.
- Mengen Kedibatmaz "Mengen Kedibatmaz" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 19 July 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1168). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Mengen Municipality.
What Mengen Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Land of Chefs
Since the Ottoman period, Mengen has been the district that has trained some of Türkiye's most famous chefs. Most of the chefs who worked in the Ottoman palace kitchen were from Mengen. The International Mengen Chef Festival, held every year, keeps this tradition alive.
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International Mengen Chef Festival
Held every year, this festival brings together chefs from across Türkiye and from various parts of the world. Cooking competitions, tasting events and cultural shows are organised.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Mengen?
Mengen is known for 2 local dishes, above all Mengen Kaldırık Dolması and Mengen Peyniri (Mengen cheese). "Mengen Kaldırık Dolması" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 19 July 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1167). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Mengen Municipality.
What is Mengen famous for?
Mengen is known for Mengen Kaldırık Dolması, Mengen Höşmerimi and Land of Chefs. Its best-known sights include Ödek Pond and Göl Plateau.
What to buy in Mengen?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Mengen include Mengen Höşmerimi and Mengen Kedibatmaz.
Mengen 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)
- Gerede 4 dishes Gerede Şakşak Helvası, Bolu Keşkeği (wheat and meat porridge) and Abant Kebabı
- 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)
- 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)