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Dishes you should try in Şenkaya: Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb), Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup) and Kesme Çorbası (hand-cut pasta soup). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Şenkaya is famous for.

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Famous Dishes of Şenkaya

  • Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb)

    Lamb roasted on a horizontal spit over a wood fire. In Şenkaya it has a special flavour thanks to the sheep raised on its plateaus.

  • Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup)

    A traditional soup made with yoghurt, bulgur and mint, a nourishing dish that is never missing from tables on cold winter days in Şenkaya.

  • Kesme Çorbası (hand-cut pasta soup)

    A soup of thinly cut pieces of dough cooked in meat broth, one of the winter classics of Şenkaya cuisine.

Dishes from Erzurum Cuisine

What to eat in Erzurum →

These dishes are known throughout Erzurum province; see the provincial food guide for details.

  • Oltu Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb)

    A kebab with a registered geographical indication, cooked on a horizontal skewer over a wood fire and served on the cağ skewer.

  • Erzurum Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)

    Shredded kadayıf filled with walnuts and soaked in syrup; it has a registered geographical indication.

  • Erzurum Su Böreği (boiled-pastry börek)

    A registered börek made with layers of boiled yufka and cheese.

  • Ayran Aşı Çorbası (yoghurt and wheat soup)

    A registered soup made with yoghurt, wheat and herbs.

  • Erzurum Hurma Tatlısı (syrupy dough dessert)

    A syrupy dough dessert with a registered geographical indication.

  • Hasıta

    A registered traditional dessert made with flour, butter and sugar.

What to Buy in Şenkaya: Local Products

  • Şenkaya Honey Flower honey gathered on the district's high plateaus. Thanks to the rich flora, it is an aromatic and natural variety of honey.
  • Civil Peyniri (stringy cheese) Civil cheese made from fresh milk and separated into threads, produced in Şenkaya by traditional methods.

What Şenkaya Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions

  • Border Region History

    Close to the Kars and Ardahan borders, Şenkaya has been strategically important throughout history during the Ottoman–Russian wars. The district was the scene of major battles during the 93 Harbi (Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78) and the First World War, and has a layered history.

  • Plateau Migration Tradition

    For centuries, the people of Şenkaya have migrated to the high plateaus in the summer months to practise livestock farming. This seasonal migration tradition has shaped the region's social life and cuisine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I eat in Şenkaya?

Şenkaya is known for 3 local dishes, above all Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb), Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup) and Kesme Çorbası (hand-cut pasta soup). Lamb roasted on a horizontal spit over a wood fire. In Şenkaya it has a special flavour thanks to the sheep raised on its plateaus.

What is Şenkaya famous for?

Şenkaya is known for Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb), Şenkaya Honey and Border Region History. Its best-known sights include Şenkaya Castle and Bardız Stream Valley.

What to buy in Şenkaya?

Local products and souvenirs to buy in Şenkaya include Şenkaya Honey and Civil Peyniri (stringy cheese).

Şenkaya Travel Guide

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