Dishes you should try in Silvan: Ciğer Kebabı, İçli Köfte and Meftune. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Silvan is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Silvan
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Ciğer Kebabı
Prepared by threading lamb liver on skewers and cooking it over charcoal. It is served in Silvan's traditional restaurants.
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İçli Köfte
Bulgur dough is boiled with a filling of minced meat, onion and walnuts. It is one of the best-known dishes of Silvan cuisine.
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Meftune
Prepared by baking aubergine, pepper, tomato and minced meat in a casserole. It is the traditional vegetable dish of the summer months. Prepared by local people on special occasions, this dish is a symbol of hospitality.
Dishes from Diyarbakır Cuisine
What to eat in Diyarbakır →These dishes are known throughout Diyarbakır province; see the provincial food guide for details.
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Diyarbakır Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab)
A kebab with a registered geographical indication, in which lamb liver is cooked on a skewer with tail fat; it is also eaten for breakfast.
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Kaburga Dolması (stuffed lamb ribs)
Lamb ribs stuffed with spiced rice; it is registered.
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Diyarbakır İçli Köftesi (stuffed bulgur dumplings)
İçli köfte with a registered geographical indication.
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Diyarbakır Burma Kadayıfı (twisted kadayıf)
A dessert with a registered geographical indication.
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Lebeni (yoghurt soup)
A soup made with yoghurt, with a registered geographical indication.
What to Buy in Silvan: Local Products
- Rice The Silvan plain has fertile land suitable for rice farming. Local rice production contributes to the district's economy.
- İsot As across Diyarbakır, isot (flaked chilli) is also produced in Silvan.
What Silvan Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Artuqid Heritage
In the 12th century, Silvan was one of the important centres of the Artuqid Principality. The Malabadi Bridge and the Grand Mosque are the most valuable architectural works of this period.
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Ancient Martyropolis
The ancient name of Silvan was Martyropolis, and in the Byzantine period it was an important religious and military centre. Some researchers associate Silvan with the city of Tigranakert, founded by the Armenian King Tigran.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Silvan?
Silvan is known for 3 local dishes, above all Ciğer Kebabı, İçli Köfte and Meftune. Prepared by threading lamb liver on skewers and cooking it over charcoal. It is served in Silvan's traditional restaurants.
What is Silvan famous for?
Silvan is known for Ciğer Kebabı, Rice and Artuqid Heritage. Its best-known sights include Silvan Castle and Malabadi Bridge.
What to buy in Silvan?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Silvan include Rice and İsot.
Silvan Travel Guide
- Things to Do in Silvan 6 places to visit
- What to Eat in Diyarbakır All the famous dishes of the province
What to Eat in Other Districts of Diyarbakır
- Bağlar 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), Kaburga Dolması (stuffed lamb ribs) and İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls)
- Bismil 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)
- Çermik 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)
- Çınar 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Meftune (aubergine, pepper and mince casserole)
- Çüngüş 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
- Dicle 4 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Meftune (aubergine, pepper and mince casserole)
- Eğil 5 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (bulgur dumplings) and Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)
- Ergani 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Meftune (aubergine, pepper and mince casserole)
- Hani 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
- Hazro 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)
- Kayapınar 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)
- Kocaköy 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
- Kulp 4 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
- Lice 4 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), İçli Köfte (stuffed bulgur balls) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
- Sur 4 dishes Kaburga Dolması (stuffed lamb ribs), Diyarbakır Ciğer Kebabı (Diyarbakır lamb liver kebab) and Meftune (aubergine, pepper and mince stew)
- Yenişehir 3 dishes Ciğer Kebabı (lamb liver kebab), Meftune (aubergine, pepper and mince stew) and Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)