Dishes you should try in Özalp: Van Kahvaltısı, Kelecoş, Özalp otlu peyniri and Kırdık. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Özalp is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Özalp
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Van Kahvaltısı
Van breakfast, made up of herbed cheese, kaymak, honey and dozens of kinds of jam, is served as a lavish spread in Özalp too.
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Kelecoş
A traditional dish made with dried beans, bulgur and yoghurt, an essential on winter tables. Prepared by local people on special occasions, it is a symbol of hospitality.
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Özalp otlu peyniri
Made in Özalp, it is one of the three cheeses sold most in the Van market.
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Kırdık
A local dish made in Özalp, prepared with onion.
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Özalp çöreği
A pastry made in a tandır oven with butter and sesame.
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Özalp pastası
A type of sweet specific to the Özalp region. It is made as a local dessert alongside Van pastry.
Dishes from Van Cuisine
What to eat in Van →These dishes are known throughout Van province; see the provincial food guide for details.
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Van Otlu Peyniri (Van herbed cheese)
Cheese with a registered geographical indication (protected designation of origin).
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Murtuğa (breakfast dish)
A breakfast dish with a registered geographical indication.
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Van Ayran Aşı (ayran soup)
A soup with a registered geographical indication.
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Van Kürt Köftesi (Van Kurdish meatballs)
Meatballs with a registered geographical indication.
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Van Pastası (Van cake)
A cake with a registered geographical indication.
What to Buy in Özalp: Local Products
- Van Otlu Peyniri Herbed cheese made from sheep's milk and flavoured with local herbs, also produced in Özalp.
What Özalp Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Sınır Kültürü
Özalp is a district on the Iranian border. Border trade and cultural exchange have shaped the district's multicultural character.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Özalp?
Özalp is known for 6 local dishes, above all Van Kahvaltısı, Kelecoş, Özalp otlu peyniri and Kırdık. Van breakfast, made up of herbed cheese, kaymak, honey and dozens of kinds of jam, is served as a lavish spread in Özalp too.
What is Özalp famous for?
Özalp is known for Van Kahvaltısı, Van Otlu Peyniri and Sınır Kültürü. Its best-known sights include Özalp Castle and Akgöl.
What to buy in Özalp?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Özalp include Van Otlu Peyniri.
Özalp Travel Guide
What to Eat in Other Districts of Van
- Bahçesaray 4 dishes Van Breakfast, Kelecoş (bean, bulgur and yoghurt dish) and Bahçesaray walnuts
- Başkale 2 dishes Van Kahvaltısı and Kelecoş
- Çaldıran 2 dishes Van Breakfast (Van Kahvaltısı) and Kelecoş (bean, bulgur and yoghurt dish)
- Çatak 2 dishes Van Kahvaltısı and Kelecoş
- Edremit 2 dishes Van Kahvaltısı and Balık
- Erciş 3 dishes Van Kahvaltısı, Kelecoş and İnci Kefali
- Gevaş 3 dishes İnci Kefali (Van pearl mullet), Van Kahvaltısı (Van breakfast spread) and Gevaş Beans (geographical indication product)
- Gürpınar 2 dishes Van Kahvaltısı and Kelecoş
- İpekyolu 2 dishes Van Kahvaltısı and Murtuğa
- Muradiye 2 dishes Van Kahvaltısı (Van breakfast spread) and Kelecoş (bean, bulgur and yoghurt dish)
- Saray 2 dishes Van Kahvaltısı (Van breakfast) and Kelecoş (bean, bulgur and yoghurt dish)
- Tuşba 3 dishes Van Kahvaltısı (Van breakfast), Van Otlu Peyniri (Van herb cheese) and Kelecoş (bean, bulgur and yoghurt dish)