Dishes you should try in İzmit: Pişmaniye, İzmit Köftesi and Gulf Fish. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what İzmit is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of İzmit
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Pişmaniye
Pişmaniye is made by pulling sugar and flour into fine threads using a special technique, and is İzmit's geographically indicated sweet. It is known for its soft, cotton-like texture.
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İzmit Köftesi
İzmit köftesi, made from beef mince, is grilled and served with piyaz (white bean salad) and hot red pepper.
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Gulf Fish
Fresh fish from the Gulf of İzmit, especially hamsi (anchovy), lüfer (bluefish) and çinekop (bluefish), served grilled or steamed in seaside restaurants.
Dishes from Kocaeli Cuisine
What to eat in Kocaeli →These dishes are known throughout Kocaeli province; see the provincial food guide for details.
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İzmit Pişmaniyesi (İzmit thread halva)
A halva drawn out into fine threads, with a registered geographical indication.
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İzmit Simidi (İzmit simit)
A simit with a registered geographical indication.
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Gebze Bayram Çöreği (Gebze festival bun)
A bun with a registered geographical indication.
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Karamürsel Simit Dolması (stuffed simit)
A pastry with a registered geographical indication.
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Kandıra Manda Yoğurdu (Kandıra buffalo yoghurt)
Yoghurt with a registered geographical indication.
What to Buy in İzmit: Local Products
- İzmit Pişmaniyesi İzmit Pişmaniyesi was registered as a protected designation of origin on 21 May 2002 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 34). Product group: chocolate, confectionery and derivative products. Registered by: Kocaeli Union of Chambers of Craftsmen and Artisans.
- İzmit Simidi (İzmit bread ring) İzmit Simidi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 10 September 2019 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 453). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, sweets. Registered by: Kocaeli Chamber of Commerce.
What İzmit Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Legacy of Ancient Nicomedia
İzmit's ancient name was Nicomedia, founded in 264 BC by Nicomedes I, King of Bithynia. It served as the eastern capital of the Roman Empire between AD 286 and 324. Emperor Diocletian had his palace built here.
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Industrial City Identity
Kocaeli is known as the industrial capital of Türkiye. İzmit is the centre of the automotive, chemical and petrochemical sectors, and this industrial identity has shaped the social and cultural fabric of the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in İzmit?
İzmit is known for 3 local dishes, above all Pişmaniye, İzmit Köftesi and Gulf Fish. Pişmaniye is made by pulling sugar and flour into fine threads using a special technique, and is İzmit's geographically indicated sweet. It is known for its soft, cotton-like texture.
What is İzmit famous for?
İzmit is known for Pişmaniye, İzmit Pişmaniyesi and Legacy of Ancient Nicomedia. Its best-known sights include İzmit Clock Tower and Kocaeli Museum (Former Government House).
What to buy in İzmit?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in İzmit include İzmit Pişmaniyesi and İzmit Simidi (İzmit bread ring).
İzmit Travel Guide
- Things to Do in İzmit 11 places to visit
- What to Eat in Kocaeli All the famous dishes of the province
What to Eat in Other Districts of Kocaeli
- Başiskele 2 dishes Körfez Fish and Pişmaniye
- Çayırova 2 dishes Pişmaniye and Islama Köfte (soaked meatballs)
- Darıca 3 dishes Marmara Fish, Pişmaniye and Islama Köfte (meatballs on tomato-sauce bread)
- Derince 3 dishes Gulf Fish, Pişmaniye (cotton candy halva) and Islama Köfte (soaked meatballs)
- Dilovası 2 dishes Islama Köfte (meatballs on tomato-soaked bread) and Pişmaniye
- Gebze 3 dishes Pişmaniye, Marmara Fish and Islama Köfte (meatballs on tomato-soaked bread)
- Gölcük 4 dishes Gulf Fish, Pişmaniye and Black Sea Pide
- Kandıra 6 dishes Kandıra Cheese, Black Sea Pide and Fresh Fish
- Karamürsel 5 dishes Karamürsel Simit Dolması, Karamürsel Pidesi and Gulf Fish
- Kartepe 4 dishes Maşukiye Trout, Gözleme and Village Breakfast
- Körfez 3 dishes Körfez Fish (fresh fish from the gulf), Pişmaniye (cotton candy-style sweet) and Yarımca cherry