What to Eat in Bolu?

Bolu, famous for its lush green nature and clean air, is a city that fascinates its visitors not only with its landscapes but also with its cuisine. Bolu cuisine, blended with the rich culinary culture of the Black Sea and the influence of Ottoman palaces, is full of flavors that appeal to every palate. Whether you are looking for a quiet breakfast on the shores of Lake Abant or an authentic table where you can taste the famous local dishes in the center of Bolu, this city is a true gastronomic paradise!

So, what are the must-try dishes in Bolu? Which restaurants offer these flavors in the best way? In this article, we will explore Bolu's famous dishes, local flavors and taste stops. If you are ready, let's hit the road to enjoy Bolu!

Ovmac Soup

Ovmaç Soup, one of the unique flavors of Bolu cuisine, is a warm and satisfying starter prepared with local recipes. This soup, which is made with simple ingredients and is memorable for its flavor, is an important part of Bolu's food culture.

Features of Ovmaç Soup

Ovmaç Soup, one of the most popular soups of Bolu cuisine, is a nutritious and filling local dish prepared with practical ingredients. Its main ingredients include flour, yogurt, eggs, butter and chicken broth. The name of the soup comes from the small pieces of dough that are rolled in the palm of your hand by adding water to the flour. When these pieces are added to the soup, it creates a thick and dense texture. The slightly sour taste and the aromatic flavor given by the butter make the soup unique.

How to Serve Ovmaç Soup?

Ovmaç Soup is usually served hot. It is garnished with melted butter and optionally mint or chili pepper. These simple but flavorful touches enhance the aroma of the soup. The flavor experience is completed by serving it with Bolu's famous walnut bread or village bread. It is a dish that appeals to both the stomach and the soul, especially when consumed with natural views.

Where to Eat Ovmaç Soup?

Many restaurants and eateries in Bolu offer traditional Ovmaç Soup on their menus. Here are some places where you can taste this flavor:

• Bolu City Restaurant : You can find fresh and delicious Ovmaç Soup in this place where traditional Bolu dishes are served.
• Restaurants around Abant Lake : It is an ideal choice to experience an authentic taste accompanied by natural views.
• Bolu Mengen Chefs Restaurant : It is the address of local dishes prepared by the famous chefs of Bolu.
• Köroğlu Sofrası : In the city center, you can taste Ovmaç Soup along with many examples of Bolu cuisine.

Bolu Chocolate

In addition to its rich natural beauty and unique cuisine, Bolu has another sweet secret: Bolu Chocolate. With its unique texture, aroma and flavor, Bolu chocolate is a flavor that attracts the attention of dessert lovers from all over Turkey. Produced with traditional methods, this chocolate is an indispensable gift option for visitors to Bolu, as well as making the city known to chocolate lovers.

Characteristics of Bolu Chocolate

• Natural Ingredients : Bolu chocolate is prepared with natural and carefully selected ingredients such as quality cocoa, butter and Bolu's local milk.
• Rich Flavor : It has a high cocoa content and an intense chocolate flavor. Sometimes it is enriched with local products such as hazelnuts, walnuts or chestnuts.
• Traditional Production : Traditional methods are used in the preparation of chocolate, which gives it a unique taste and texture.
• Handmade Varieties : Bolu chocolate is generally handmade and is produced both in the classic tablet form and in different forms such as truffles and pralines.

Where to Buy Bolu Chocolate?

To try this unique flavor and gift it to your loved ones, you can visit the following addresses in Bolu:

• Bolu Chocolate Workshop : A place that produces handmade chocolates with local ingredients.
• Abant Chocolate : Known for its classic and innovative chocolate varieties.
• Boutique Chocolatiers in the City Center : You can find local chocolate flavors in many boutique shops in Bolu.
• Sales Points Around Abant and Yedigöller : You can buy Bolu chocolate from local shops in these areas during your nature trip.

Abant Kebab

Bolu is one of the most striking cities in Turkey, not only with its natural beauty but also with its rich cuisine. One of the flavors that come out of this unique cuisine is Abant Kebab. This kebab, which is indispensable for special occasions with both its visual presentation and delicious taste, is one of the dishes that made Bolu's name heard by food lovers. Abant Kebab, which has a naturalness that reminds us of the peaceful atmosphere of Abant Lake, is a taste that must be tried during your visit to Bolu. Now let's take a look at the details of this special dish!

Abant Kebab: Features

Abant Kebab is prepared by blending thinly sliced lamb or chicken with roasted vegetables and special spices. The basis of the dish consists of vegetables such as eggplant, tomato, pepper and onion. After these vegetables are roasted, they are combined with the meat and usually covered with tomato sauce and baked in the oven. The final touch of the dish is made with plenty of butter and kashar cheese, which brings the flavor to its peak. Both filling and rich in flavor, Abant Kebab is one of the creative and unique recipes of Bolu cuisine.

Abant Kebab: How to Serve?

• Abant Kebab is usually served hot, right out of the oven.
• It is usually completed with rice pilaf or buttered bulgur pilaf.
• Roasted vegetables and fresh greens add a visual feast to the plate.
• Walnut bread, unique to Bolu, is a frequently preferred accompaniment to this dish.

Abant Kebab: Where to Eat?

Some restaurants where you can taste this special flavor of Bolu:

• Restaurants around Abant Lake : Offers a unique experience amidst the natural beauty from which the dish takes its name.
• Mengen Chefs Restaurant : An authentic venue reflecting the culinary tradition of Bolu.
• Bolu City Restaurant : A restaurant in the city center where you can find the best examples of local dishes.
• Köroğlu Sofrası : An ideal choice to taste Abant Kebab with its rich Bolu cuisine menu.

Mengen Rice

Mengen district of Bolu, famous for its chefs, is a region known for its gastronomy not only in Turkey but also in the world. One of the most special recipes of this rich culinary culture is Mengen Pilaf. Mengen Pilaf, a traditional Bolu dish, is both the star of the table and the symbol of mastery with its flavor and presentation. This flavor, which dates back to the Ottoman cuisine, is a dish that everyone who passes through Bolu should definitely try. Now let's look at the details of Mengen Pilaf!

Mengen Rice Features

Mengen Pilaf is much more than just a plain rice pilaf. Here are the distinguishing features of this special pilaf:

• Ingredients : Chicken or lamb, butter, almonds, mushrooms, dill, carrots and spices are the main ingredients of pilaf.
• Rich Flavor : The vegetables, broth and butter used make the pilaf more aromatic and satisfying.
• Visuality : It has a colorful and appetizing appearance thanks to the ingredients it contains such as almonds, carrots and mushrooms.
• Cultural Value : Mengen Pilaf, which is frequently made at the Mengen Chefs Festival, symbolizes the mastery of this region in culinary arts.

Mengen Pilaf: How to Serve?

• Mengen Pilaf is usually served in portions on special presentation plates.
• It is served with yoghurt or ayran for a light and balanced meal.
• It is decorated with finely chopped dill and toasted almonds to add visual richness.
• It is served with meat dishes or appetizers on special occasions and at feast tables.

Mengen Pilaf: Where to Eat It?

Places where you can experience this famous taste of Bolu:

• Mengen Chefs Restaurant : As the name suggests, it is one of the best representatives of Mengen cuisine.
• Bolu City Restaurant : You can find fresh and delicious Mengen Pilaf in this restaurant where local dishes are prominent.
• Köroğlu Sofrası : Offering traditional dishes of Bolu, this place is the ideal address to enjoy Mengen Pilavı.
• Local Restaurants in Mengen District : If you go to Mengen, you can choose local places to taste this pilaf from the hands of the masters.

Junkie

Bolu attracts attention not only with its natural beauty and unique dishes, but also with its traditional products. Keş is one of the most unique and delicious products of Bolu cuisine. This unique cheese, which can be stored for a long time, is an indispensable part of local dishes and breakfasts. Keş, produced with traditional methods in Bolu, is both a cultural heritage and a treasure trove of flavors.

Characteristics of Junkie

• Natural and Nutritious : Keş is a type of cheese made from yogurt. The strained yogurt is first salted and then dried in the sun to make it a long-lasting product.
• Dry and Intense Aroma : Keş, which has a dried structure, offers a very intense flavor. It has a salty and slightly sour taste.
• Versatile Use : Used in many different recipes from breakfasts to hot meals, keş adds a unique flavor, especially when grated on noodles and manti.
• Natural Preservation : Thanks to traditional drying methods, it can be stored for a long time without any additives.

How to Use Junk?

• On Noodles : Keş offers a wonderful taste, especially when combined with noodles roasted in butter. It is grated and sprinkled on the noodles.
• For breakfast : Keş is served plain or with butter at breakfast tables.
• In Soups and Pastries : It is preferred to add thickness to soups or to be used as a filling in pastries.
• With manti : Sprinkling keş on the Bolu style manti completes its flavor.

Where Can You Find the Goat?

Places where you can buy and taste keş in Bolu:

• Local Markets : You can find handmade natural keş products in the village markets of Bolu.
• Cheese Shops in the City Center : Fresh cheese is sold in local product shops in the city center of Bolu.
• Villages around Abant and Mengen : You can find natural keş produced by the local people in small businesses in these regions.
• Online Sales Points : You can order keş from online stores that offer products specific to the Bolu region.

Cat Doesn't Sink

Another wonderful dessert to discover in Bolu's rich culinary culture is Kedibatmaz. This dessert, usually made in the villages of the region, is prepared with simple ingredients but with a unique flavor. Kedibatmaz is among the traditional desserts of Bolu, but it stands out as a flavor unknown to many and waiting to be discovered. Now, let's examine how this unique dessert is made and where you can taste it.

Features of Kedibatmaz

• Simple and Natural Ingredients : Kedibatmaz is made with simple ingredients such as dough, sugar, butter and walnuts. These ingredients create both the flavor and texture of the dessert.
• Roasted Walnuts : There are plenty of walnuts in the filling, roasting the walnuts adds a unique flavor and aroma to the dessert.
• Plain and Soft : Kedibatmaz has a slightly crispy exterior and a soft interior, and when combined with its syrup, it creates a sweet flavor.
• Slow Cooking : The dessert is cooked slowly over low heat, which gives it a special texture and taste.

How to Serve Kedibatmaz?

• Kedibatmaz is usually served sliced and served hot.
• It can be served with a sweet accompaniment such as ice cream or clotted cream.
• A visual richness can be added by sprinkling some walnuts on top of the presentation.
• It is usually consumed as a dessert with coffee or tea, and offers a delightful meal, especially with the natural view of Bolu.

Where to Eat Kedibatmaz?

To experience this local dessert in Bolu, you can visit:

• Local Restaurants in Bolu City Center : You can find Kedibatmaz among the traditional tastes in the restaurants in the center of Bolu.
• Village Restaurants : It is possible to taste this dessert in an authentic atmosphere in local businesses specific to the villages of Bolu.
• Mengen Chefs Restaurant : Along with traditional dishes from Bolu's famous Mengen chefs, Kedibatmaz is also frequently served.
• In Bolu Markets : You can buy Kedibatmaz in its fresh and natural form in the village markets where you can find handmade desserts.

Spoon Throw

Kaşık Atması is a practical and delicious local dish specific to Bolu. This dish, which is basically made of flour, water and salt, gets its name from the cooked dough being thrown into boiling water with a spoon. This dish, which has a very soft consistency, is served with hot butter and yogurt, sometimes enriched with red pepper flakes or garlic yogurt. Kaşık Atması, which is quite filling and nutritious, is a dish that is especially preferred in the winter months and has a protective feature against the winter cold.

Features of Spoon Throw:

Kaşık Atması is one of the traditional dishes of Bolu cuisine and is consumed frequently, especially in the winter months. This dish is usually made with simple ingredients such as flour, butter, water and salt, but the techniques used in its preparation and the quality of the ingredients used give this dish a special flavor. Kaşık Atması gets its name from the dough being thrown into boiling water with a spoon to mix it. After the dough is cooked, it is enriched with butter sauce and yogurt. It is a very nutritious dish with its soft and light texture.

How to Serve Spoon Throw?

Kaşık Atması is usually served hot with butter and yoghurt on top. In some recipes, garlic yoghurt and red pepper flakes can also be added as a sauce. This dish can be a meal on its own or served with side dishes such as meat dishes and soup. In the winter months, especially in cold weather, a hot spoon atması brightens up the table and keeps you full for a long time with its filling feature.

Where to Eat Spoon Throw?

Kaşık Atması can usually be found in local restaurants and village restaurants in Bolu. Below are some places you can choose to taste Kaşık Atması:

• Local Restaurants in Bolu City Center : You can find Kaşık Atması in traditional restaurants in Bolu's city center.
• Bolu Villages : Especially in the villages of Bolu, local restaurants and family businesses offer this flavor where you can try local dishes.
• Mengen Chefs Restaurant : You can taste the best examples of Bolu cuisine in this famous restaurant in the Mengen district.
• Restaurants around Abant and Yedigöller : While on a nature trip, you can also find Kaşık Atması in the restaurants in these regions.

Bolu Meatballs

Bolu Meatballs are one of the most well-known and popular dishes of Bolu cuisine. It usually stands out with its minced meat stuffing, spices and fine bulgur outer coating. Bolu Meatballs, as a reflection of traditional Turkish meatball recipes, reflect the rich culinary culture of the city. With its delicious and filling structure, it has become an indispensable part of crowded family tables.

Characteristics of Bolu Meatballs

• Minced Meat and Bulgur : Bolu Meatballs consist of a stuffing made with minced meat and a mixture of bulgur on the outside. The stuffing is usually enriched with onion, spices and finely chopped greens.
• Spicy Flavor : Bolu Meatballs are flavored with spices, especially salt, black pepper, chili pepper. This gives it a characteristic flavor.
• External Structure : The outside of the meatball is crispy and crunchy, but the inside is quite soft.
• Slow Cooking : Traditionally, Bolu Meatballs are usually cooked over low heat to soften the meat, which increases its flavor.

How to Serve Bolu Meatballs?

Bolu Meatballs are usually served hot with rice, mashed potatoes or salad. It can also be enriched by adding yoghurt, tomato sauce or pepper sauce. Drinks such as ayran or turnip juice are also ideal. In some restaurants, fried vegetables or yoghurt appetizers can be served with the meatballs.

Where to Eat Bolu Meatballs?

To taste Bolu Meatballs, you can visit:

• Restaurants in Bolu City Center : Bolu Meatballs are frequently on the menu in traditional restaurants in Bolu city center.
• Mengen Chefs Restaurant : Among the local delicacies in the famous restaurants of Mengen district is Bolu Meatballs.
• Restaurants around Abant and Yedigöller : You can also taste Bolu Meatballs in local restaurants in this region surrounded by natural beauties.

Pasha Rice

Pasha Pilaf is one of the most famous and elegant dishes of Bolu cuisine. This pilaf, which is usually preferred on special occasions and invitations, takes its name from the Ottoman palace cuisine. It attracts attention with both its visuality and taste. Pasha Pilaf achieves a unique harmony with the rich aroma of the meat and the delicious texture of the pilaf. The pilaf, made with olive oil or butter, contains lamb, peas, carrots and spices. The perfect harmony of all the ingredients makes the meal unforgettable.

Features of Pasha Pilaf

• Rich Content : Pasha Pilaf is enriched with lamb, rice, peas, carrots and spices. The flavor that the meat adds to the pilaf makes this pilaf special.
• Spicy and Aromatic : Spices used in pilaf include black pepper, salt, thyme, etc. These spices deepen the flavor of the pilaf.
• Olive Oil or Butter : Pasha Pilaf is usually prepared with olive oil or butter, which gives it a smooth texture and rich flavor.
• Elegant Presentation : Pasha Pilaf is usually presented in an elegant way. The top of the pilaf is decorated with lamb meat and various garnishes and comes to the table.

How to Serve Pasha Pilaf?

Pasha Pilaf is usually served alone as a main course or with meat dishes. Drinks such as yogurt or ayran can be served on the side. A few slices of lamb and garnishes are placed on the pilaf for an elegant presentation. In addition, the pilaf is served hot, which brings out its flavor in the best way.

Where to Eat Pasha Pilaf?

The following places can be preferred to taste Pasha Pilaf in Bolu:

• Local Restaurants in Bolu City Center : Pasha Pilaf is often included on the menus in traditional restaurants in Bolu city center.
• Mengen Chefs Restaurant : Mengen is a district known for its famous chefs. Here, along with local delicacies, Pasha Pilaf is also frequently served.
• Restaurants around Abant and Yedigöller : In natural wonder regions such as Abant and Yedigöller, you can try Pasha Pilaf in restaurants specific to the region.

Stuffed Vegetables

Kaldırık Dolma is one of the important dishes of Bolu's traditional cuisine. This dolma, made especially in the winter months, is prepared with the leaves of a plant called "kara cabbage" or "kale". This dish, which is frequently made in the villages of Bolu, is both nutritious and filling. The delicious and slightly sour taste of the leaves, combined with the filling, offers a unique flavor.

Features of Kaldırık Stuffed

• Kaldırık Yaprak : Kaldırık Dolma is prepared with kale leaves. These leaves soften as they are cooked and give a slightly sour taste.
• Stuffing : Stuffing is made with minced meat, rice, onion, spices (salt, black pepper, chili pepper) and sometimes walnuts. This rich stuffing enhances the flavor of the dolma.
• Spices and Flavor : Kaldırık Dolma is usually flavored with black pepper, chili pepper and salt. In addition, the stuffing of the dolma is sometimes blended with olive oil to make it more delicious.
• Slow Cooking : Kaldırık Dolma is usually cooked slowly over low heat, which makes the dish more flavorful.

How to Serve Kaldırık Dolma?

Kaldırık Dolması is served hot. It is usually served with yogurt or garlic yogurt on top. It can also be served with garnishes such as tomato sauce or butter with chili peppers. It can be completed with rice and drinks such as ayran.

Where to Eat Kaldırık Dolma?

The following places can be preferred to taste Kaldırık Dolma:

• Restaurants in Bolu Center : You can find this traditional dolma in restaurants serving local cuisine in Bolu city center.
• Villages of Bolu : In the villages of Bolu, Kaldırık Dolma is also served in small restaurants serving local dishes.
• Mengen Restaurants : It is possible to taste this dolma in restaurants serving local delicacies in the Mengen district.

Çantıklı Pita

Çantıklı Pide is one of the most popular and original dishes of Bolu cuisine. It gets its name from the filling placed inside the dough, which is closed like the opening of a bag. Unlike traditional Turkish pide recipes, a special filling is added to the dough of this pide, which is made in a closed form. Çantıklı Pide is a hot and filling dish that is frequently consumed in the villages and city center of Bolu. It is a perfect option for those looking for a delicious and practical meal.

Çantıklı Pita Features

• Stuffing : Çantıklı Pide is a dish prepared with minced meat stuffing. The stuffing usually includes minced meat, onion, greens and spices. This mixture is placed inside the pita dough.
• Closing the Dough : The most distinctive feature of Çantıklı Pide is that the filling is added to the dough and the edges are closed. In this way, the pita takes the shape of a "bag" when viewed from the outside.
• Filling and Nutritious : Çantıklı Pide is quite filling with its meat and vegetables filling. At the same time, it leaves a mark on the palate with its rich spices and soft dough.
• Baking : Pide is baked in a stone oven to make it crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The bottom of the pita dough is slightly crispy, while the top remains softer.

How to Serve Çantıklı Pita?

Çantıklı Pide is usually served warm. It can be accompanied by drinks such as yogurt, ayran or tea. Since pide is filling enough on its own, it can usually be served with salad or olive oil appetizers. In addition, in some places, it is served with sumac or chili peppers to make the pide even more flavorful.

Where to Eat Çantıklı Pita?

To taste Çantıklı Pide in Bolu, the following places can be preferred:

• Pide Restaurants in Bolu City Center : You can find this traditional pide in local restaurants and pide restaurants in Bolu city center.
• Mengen Chefs Restaurant : Çantıklı Pide is among the local dishes prepared by famous chefs in the Mengen district.
• In the Villages of Bolu : In the villages of Bolu, you can come across Çantıklı Pide in restaurants or family businesses serving traditional Bolu cuisine.