Dishes you should try in Hassa: Hassa Zeytinyağlı Yemekleri, Kağıt Kebabı and Künefe. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Hassa is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Hassa
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Hassa Zeytinyağlı Yemekleri
Traditional Mediterranean dishes prepared with Hassa's renowned olive oil form the basis of the district's food culture. Olive-oil artichokes, black-eyed peas and green beans are the most popular dishes.
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Kağıt Kebabı
Lamb wrapped with vegetables in greased paper and baked in the oven. Kağıt kebabı is one of the traditional flavours of Hatay cuisine, and in Hassa it is served especially at weddings and festive meals.
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Künefe
Thin kadayıf strands with unsalted cheese in between, fried in butter and sweetened with syrup. Künefe is the best-known dessert of the Hatay region and is also widely eaten in Hassa.
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 Hassa: Local Products
- Hassa Zeytinyağı Cold-pressed olive oil obtained from the olive groves at the foot of the Amanos Mountains, known for its low acidity and fruity aroma. It is the district's most important agricultural product.
- Hassa Defne Sabunu Traditional laurel soap made with oil from laurel leaves grown in the Amanos Mountains, produced by hand in the region with natural ingredients.
What Hassa Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Türkmen Kültürü
Hassa has been home to a large Turkmen population since the Ottoman period. Yörük and Turkmen traditions, carpet weaving, kilim weaving and traditional wedding customs are still kept alive in the district.
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Olive-Growing Tradition
Olive growing, which began in the 19th century when Ottoman Governor Derviş Paşa brought olive saplings to the region, has become an inseparable part of Hassa's economic and cultural identity. Every autumn, the olive harvest is carried out communally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Hassa?
Hassa is known for 3 local dishes, above all Hassa Zeytinyağlı Yemekleri, Kağıt Kebabı and Künefe. Traditional Mediterranean dishes prepared with Hassa's renowned olive oil form the basis of the district's food culture. Olive-oil artichokes, black-eyed peas and green beans are the most popular dishes.
What is Hassa famous for?
Hassa is known for Hassa Zeytinyağlı Yemekleri, Hassa Zeytinyağı and Türkmen Kültürü. Its best-known sights include Amanos Mountains and Akbez Castle.
What to buy in Hassa?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Hassa include Hassa Zeytinyağı and Hassa Defne Sabunu.
Hassa 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)
- Belen 3 dishes Belen Kömürçukuru Pekmezi (Kömürçukuru grape molasses), Belen Tava (Belen tava stew) and Hummus
- 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
- 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)