Dishes you should try in Kars: Kars Kaz Eti (Kars goose meat), Kars Erişte Pilavı (noodle pilaf), Kars Ketesi (flaky pastry) and Hangel (Kars dumplings). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Kars is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Kars
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Kars Kaz Eti (Kars goose meat)
Goose meat that is salted, dried and then cooked; it received a geographical indication in 2023.
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Kars Erişte Pilavı (noodle pilaf)
A pilaf served with goose meat, with a registered geographical indication.
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Kars Ketesi (flaky pastry)
A kete with a registered geographical indication.
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Hangel (Kars dumplings)
The Kars version of mantı, served with yoghurt and butter.
Local Specialities from the Districts of Kars
What to eat in Kars Central District
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Kars Kaşarı
Kaşar cheese made from the milk of cows grazing on Kars's high plateaus, widely regarded as the finest kaşar in Türkiye. It is a geographically indicated product.
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Kaz Eti
Goose meat traditionally eaten during Kars's cold winter months, cooked in an oven or tandır. Goose fat is also used in cooking.
What to eat in Akyaka
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Kars Kaşarı
Kaşar cheese made from the milk of animals grazing on Akyaka's plateaus, one of the finer varieties of Kars kaşarı.
What to eat in Arpaçay
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Kars Kaşarı
Kaşar cheese produced on the plateaus of Arpaçay, one of the finer varieties of Kars kaşarı.
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Kaz Eti
Goose meat traditionally eaten in the winter months, cooked in an oven or tandır.
What to eat in Digor
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Kars Kaşarı
Kaşar cheese produced on the Digor plateaus is one of the quality varieties of Kars kaşar.
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Kaşar Cheese (Digor-based producer)
The Kars Provincial Directorate of Trade's list of local product producers includes kaşar cheese among the product lines of a dairy business with a Digor address.
What to eat in Kağızman
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Kağızman Köftesi
Kağızman köftesi, kneaded with finely minced onion and spices and grilled, is the district's best-known dish.
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Kars Kaşarı (Kars kaşar cheese)
Kaşar cheese produced around Kağızman, one of the quality varieties of Kars kaşar.
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Kağızman apricots
An endemic product of Kağızman district. The head of the Kars Chamber of Agriculture stated that work on a geographical indication for this apricot has begun.
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Kağızman Uzun Elması (Kağızman long apple)
A long apple specific to Kağızman; a news report states that it received a geographical indication in 2018.
What to eat in Sarıkamış
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Sarıkamış Obsidian Stone
Sarıkamış Obsidian Stone was registered as a protected geographical indication on 18 July 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1412). Product group: other products. Registered by: Kars Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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Kars Kaşarı
Kaşar cheese made from the milk of animals grazing on Sarıkamış's plateaus, one of the finest varieties of Kars kaşarı.
What to eat in Selim
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Kars Kaşarı
Kaşar cheese produced on Selim's plateaus, one of the finer varieties of Kars kaşarı.
What to eat in Susuz
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Kars Kaşarı
Kaşar cheese produced on Susuz's plateaus, one of the finer varieties of Kars kaşarı.
What to Buy in Kars: Local Products
- Kars Gravyer Peyniri (Kars gruyère) A cheese produced in and around Boğatepe, with a registered geographical indication.
- Kars Kaşarı (Kars kaşar cheese) A kaşar with a registered geographical indication.
- Kars Balı (Kars honey) A blossom honey with a registered geographical indication.
- Kağızman Uzun Elması (Kağızman long apples) Apples with a registered geographical indication.
- Kars El Halısı (Kars hand-woven carpet) A hand-woven carpet with a registered geographical indication.
- Sarıkamış Obsidyen Taşı (Sarıkamış obsidian) A volcanic stone with a registered geographical indication.
What Kars Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Touristic Eastern Express
A sleeper tourist train that runs between Ankara and Kars throughout the winter.
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Âşık tradition
The tradition of saz music and verse-duelling kept alive in the âşık coffeehouses of Kars.
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Sarıkamış commemorative march
A march held every January for the martyrs of Sarıkamış.
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The novel Snow (Kar)
Orhan Pamuk's novel set in Kars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Kars?
Kars is known for 4 local dishes, above all Kars Kaz Eti (Kars goose meat), Kars Erişte Pilavı (noodle pilaf), Kars Ketesi (flaky pastry) and Hangel (Kars dumplings). Goose meat that is salted, dried and then cooked; it received a geographical indication in 2023.
What is Kars famous for?
Kars is known for Kars Kaz Eti (Kars goose meat), Kars Gravyer Peyniri (Kars gruyère) and Touristic Eastern Express. Its best-known sights include Ani Ruins and Ebu'l Menüçehr Mosque (Ani).
What to buy in Kars?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Kars include Kars Gravyer Peyniri (Kars gruyère), Kars Kaşarı (Kars kaşar cheese), Kars Balı (Kars honey) and Kağızman Uzun Elması (Kağızman long apples).