Dishes you should try in Buca: Boyoz and Şambali. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Buca is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Buca
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Boyoz
Boyoz, the emblem of Izmir, is prepared fresh every morning in Buca's traditional bakeries.
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Şambali
Prepared with semolina, yoghurt and sugar, şambali is one of Izmir's traditional desserts. It is topped with almonds, baked, and then soaked in syrup.
Dishes from Izmir Cuisine
What to eat in Izmir →These dishes are known throughout Izmir province; see the provincial food guide for details.
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İzmir Boyozu (Sephardic oil pastry)
A breakfast pastry with an oily dough, inherited from Sephardic cuisine, with a registered geographical indication.
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İzmir Kumrusu (sausage and cheese sandwich)
A sandwich made with sucuk, cheese and tomato, with a registered geographical indication.
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İzmir Gevreği (Izmir sesame ring)
Izmir's version of the simit; it has a registered geographical indication.
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İzmir Lokması (syrupy fried dough)
A syrupy dessert with a registered geographical indication.
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İzmir Şambalisi (semolina syrup cake)
A syrupy semolina dessert with a registered geographical indication.
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Ödemiş Köftesi (Ödemiş meatballs)
Meatballs with a registered geographical indication.
What to Buy in Buca: Local Products
- Buca Fig Sarılop figs grown in Buca and the surrounding area are known for their sweet aroma and thin skin. They are also exported as dried figs.
What Buca Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Levantine and Greek Heritage
In the 19th century, Buca was one of the most cosmopolitan neighbourhoods of Izmir. Levantine mansions, Greek churches and traces of multicultural life can still be seen today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Buca?
Buca is known for 2 local dishes, above all Boyoz and Şambali. Boyoz, the emblem of Izmir, is prepared fresh every morning in Buca's traditional bakeries.
What is Buca famous for?
Buca is known for Boyoz, Buca Fig and Levantine and Greek Heritage. Its best-known sights include Buca Levantine Houses and Buca Pond.
What to buy in Buca?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Buca include Buca Fig.
Buca Travel Guide
What to Eat in Other Districts of Izmir
- Aliağa 8 dishes Aliağa Fish Soup, Stuffed Artichokes in Olive Oil (Zeytinyağlı Enginar) and Şevket-i Bostan (wild herb dish)
- Balçova 2 dishes Boyoz and İzmir Köfte
- Bayındır 2 dishes Bayındır Pidesi and Keşkek
- Bayraklı 2 dishes Boyoz and Lokma
- Bergama 2 dishes Bergama Köftesi and Bergama Tulum Cheese
- Beydağ 4 dishes Beydağ Simit Dürüm, Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge) and Gözleme (stuffed flatbread)
- Bornova 2 dishes Boyoz and Söğüş
- Çeşme 3 dishes Çeşme Kumrusu, Alaçatı Ot Yemekleri and Taze Deniz Ürünleri
- Çiğli 2 dishes Boyoz and Midye Dolma
- Dikili 2 dishes Dikili Balık Güveç (fish casserole) and Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri (wild greens in olive oil)
- Foça 2 dishes Foça Fish and Ege Mezeleri (Aegean meze)
- Gaziemir 2 dishes İzmir Köfte and Boyoz
- Güzelbahçe 2 dishes Güzelbahçe Fish and Octopus Salad
- Karabağlar 2 dishes Boyoz and Kumru
- Karaburun 2 dishes Karaburun Sea Bass and Sakız Kabağı Dolması (stuffed mastic squash)
- Karşıyaka 2 dishes Boyoz and Söğüş (sliced boiled beef and offal)
- Kemalpaşa 3 dishes Kemalpaşa Tatlısı (cheese dough balls in syrup), Cherry Desserts and Kemalpaşa Cherries
- Kınık 2 dishes Keşkek (wheat and meat dish) and Höşmerim (fried cheese dessert)
- Kiraz 4 dishes Kiraz Pidesi (thin-crust flatbread), Keşkek (wheat and meat dish) and Kestane (chestnuts)
- Konak 3 dishes İzmir Kumrusu (grilled sandwich), Boyoz and İzmir Köfte
- Menderes 3 dishes Zeytinyağlı Enginar (artichokes in olive oil), Çöp Şiş (skewered meat) and Gümüldür mandarin
- Menemen 3 dishes Menemen (Egg and Vegetable Dish), Boyoz and Menemen
- Mordoğan 2 dishes Mordoğan Fish and Stuffed Wild Greens in Olive Oil (Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri)
- Narlıdere 2 dishes Boyoz and Midye Tava (fried mussels)
- Ödemiş 4 dishes Ödemiş Çekişte Zeytinyağı (Ödemiş Çekişte olive oil), Ödemiş Köftesi (Ödemiş meatballs) and Ödemiş Kebabı
- Seferihisar 2 dishes Sığacık Market Delights and Mandarin Jam
- Selçuk 3 dishes Şirince Wine, Ege Ot Yemekleri (Aegean herb dishes) and Çöp Şiş (skewered lamb pieces)
- Tire 5 dishes Tire Şiş Köfte (Tire skewered meatballs), Tire Köfte (Tire meatballs) and Tire Pidesi
- Torbalı 4 dishes Torbalı Kuru Domatesi (Torbalı sun-dried tomatoes), Boyoz and Söğüş
- Urla 2 dishes Urla Enginar Dolması (stuffed artichokes) and Ege Mezeleri (Aegean mezes)