Dishes you should try in Belen: Belen Kömürçukuru Pekmezi (Kömürçukuru grape molasses), Belen Tava (Belen tava stew) and Hummus. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Belen is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Belen
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Belen Kömürçukuru Pekmezi (Kömürçukuru grape molasses)
Belen Kömürçukuru Pekmezi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 July 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 814). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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Belen Tava (Belen tava stew)
A traditional dish of the district, Belen tava is made by baking lamb with vegetables in a clay pot.
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Hummus
Hummus, made by mashing chickpeas with tahini, lemon juice and olive oil, is an essential part of Belen's meze tables.
Dishes from Hatay Cuisine
What to eat in Hatay →These dishes are known throughout Hatay province; see the provincial food guide for details.
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Antakya Künefesi (cheese and kadayıf dessert)
A dessert with a registered geographical indication, baked with unsalted cheese between layers of shredded kadayıf.
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Antakya Kağıt Kebabı (kebab baked in paper)
A kebab with a registered geographical indication, cooked on greaseproof paper.
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Hatay Tepsi Kebabı (tray-baked kebab)
A registered kebab of minced meat baked in a tray.
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Hatay Humusu (Hatay hummus)
A meze made with chickpeas and tahini, with a registered geographical indication.
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Hatay Kaytaz Böreği (Hatay kaytaz börek)
A börek with a registered geographical indication.
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Hatay Oruğu (Hatay oruk)
A registered oruk, similar to içli köfte.
What to Buy in Belen: Local Products
- Belen Tava (Belen tava stew) Belen Tava was registered as a protected geographical indication on 3 October 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1645). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Hatay Governorship.
- Belen Olive Oil Olive oil obtained from olive groves on the slopes of the Amanos Mountains, Belen's most important agricultural product.
- Defne Soap Soap produced from laurel oil by traditional methods, one of Belen's natural products.
What Belen Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Historic Pass Heritage
The Belen Pass has been the most important crossing point between Anatolia and Mesopotamia since ancient times. Alexander the Great, Roman legions and Crusader armies all used this pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Belen?
Belen is known for 3 local dishes, above all Belen Kömürçukuru Pekmezi (Kömürçukuru grape molasses), Belen Tava (Belen tava stew) and Hummus. Belen Kömürçukuru Pekmezi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 July 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 814). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
What is Belen famous for?
Belen is known for Belen Kömürçukuru Pekmezi (Kömürçukuru grape molasses), Belen Tava (Belen tava stew) and Historic Pass Heritage. Its best-known sights include Belen Pass and Amanos Mountains.
What to buy in Belen?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Belen include Belen Tava (Belen tava stew), Belen Olive Oil and Defne Soap.
Belen Travel Guide
What to Eat in Other Districts of Hatay
- Altınözü 3 dishes Altınözü Olive Oil, Altınözü Zeytinyağlıları (olive oil dishes) and Hummus
- Antakya 5 dishes Antakya Carra Peyniri, Antakya Ekmek Oruğu (bread-and-oil pastry) and Antakya Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped kebab)
- Arsuz 2 dishes Arsuz Balığı (fresh fish) and Humus (chickpea dip)
- Defne 3 dishes Künefe, Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped kebab) and Sürkü (Sürk)
- Dörtyol 4 dishes Dörtyol Kebabı, Humus and Künefe
- Erzin 2 dishes Erzin Kebabı (spiced lamb kebab) and Humus
- Hassa 3 dishes Hassa Zeytinyağlı Yemekleri, Kağıt Kebabı and Künefe
- İskenderun 3 dishes İskenderun Balık Ekmek (fish sandwich), Künefe and Hummus
- Kırıkhan 3 dishes Kırıkhan Kebabı (spiced lamb kebab), Hummus and Künefe
- Kumlu 3 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped kebab), Süzme Mercimek Çorbası (strained red lentil soup) and Oruk (İçli Köfte) (stuffed bulgur balls)
- Payas 2 dishes Payas Kebabı and Humus
- Reyhanlı 6 dishes Reyhanlı Kebabı, Humus and Künefe
- Samandağ 3 dishes Künefe, Fish Soup and Humus
- Yayladağı 3 dishes Zeytinyağlı Yemekler (olive oil-based vegetable dishes), Kaytaz Böreği (Hatay pastry with meat) and Dağ Keçisi Tandır (mountain goat from the tandır oven)