Let's explore together what you should experience in this city, where transportation has become much easier with Konya flight tickets thanks to Bilet.com.
What to Eat in Konya List
In this article, we'll take you on a rich culinary journey, from traditional dishes and desserts to local delicacies you shouldn't miss during your Konya trip. If you're visiting Konya, you're ready to explore not only the attractions but also the question "What to eat in Konya?"Meat Bread
You can't leave Konya without trying etliekmek! A generous mound of ground meat is layered on a thin layer of dough, then fried in a wood-burning oven, creating a truly legendary flavor. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside... Add ice-cold ayran, and it's a true Konya classic! You'll find it on every corner of the city, but the best part is trying it hot from the stone oven.
Oven Kebab
One of Konya's most legendary dishes: oven kebab! In the early morning hours, the aroma of lamb slowly roasting in a stone oven fills the city streets. The meat is so tender, you don't even need a fork—it falls apart in strands. It's usually served with plain pita bread, with just ayran (a type of ayran). A Konya classic, understated and unpretentious, yet legendary in its flavor.
Sop
One of the hidden stars of Konya cuisine is tirit. Meat broth poured over toasted bread, combined with shredded meat and yogurt, creates an incredible flavor. It's both filling and has the warmth of a home-cooked meal. If you're visiting Konya, especially in winter, I highly recommend warming yourself up with a piping hot plate of tirit.
Arabic Meatballs
Konya-style Arabic meatballs are a small but delicious surprise! Tiny meatballs kneaded with fine bulgur wheat are topped with a tomato and pepper paste sauce, sometimes with boiled chickpeas or potatoes. Slightly spicy, with plenty of spice, it's a true home-cooked meal. A plate of yogurt to accompany it will instantly capture the warm spirit of Konya's cuisine.
Okra Soup
Okra soup, one of Konya's most special delicacies, appears on tables for almost every special occasion in the city. Tiny dried okra are cooked for hours with broth and lamb, creating a tangy, rich, and fragrant flavor. It's considered a staple at weddings and holidays. Don't leave Konya without trying this traditional soup. Even a small bowl will connect you to a centuries-old Anatolian tradition.Between the Knives
Konya's gift to meat lovers: Bıçakarası! It gets its name from the meat inside, which is hand-chopped with a knife. Cubed beef or lamb, tomatoes, and peppers are laid on a thin, but slightly thicker, dough than etli ekmek (meat bread), and baked in a stone oven. The result is a crispy exterior, juicy inside, and rich in meat. It resembles etli ekmek (meat bread), but more filling and dense. So, if you're thinking "I've had etli ekmek" in Konya, be sure to try Bıçakarası to see the difference!
Hair Between
For dessert lovers, one of Konya's most delightful surprises: "saç arası" (a type of pastry). It's layered generously with walnuts, brushed with butter, and baked on a griddle or in the oven. Poured with syrup, it transforms into a dessert that's both crispy and tender.
Not too heavy, not too light, an Anatolian delicacy with just the right amount of flavor. Eating it as a dessert after meat bread is practically a tradition in Konya!
Mevlana Candy
One of the flavors that comes to mind when Konya is mentioned is Mevlana candy. This white, hard, crystal-like candy is considered a symbol of the city. It's usually sold in colorful boxes in shops around the Mevlana Museum.
It melts slowly in your mouth, evoking childhood memories with its light vanilla flavor. It's one of the most classic yet elegant gifts you can bring to your loved ones when you visit Konya.
Moldy Cheese
Moldy cheese, one of Konya's most distinctive delicacies, is produced primarily in the Karatay and Ereğli regions. Naturally ripened, this cheese acquires a pungent aroma and intense flavor thanks to its blue-green mold veins.
It's often enjoyed for breakfast, in pastries, or alongside meat dishes. Those who love it love it, but those who don't will understand after just one bite—but a trip to Konya is a must without trying this special cheese!
Oil Nut
One of the simplest yet most delicious pastries in Konya cuisine: yağ somunu (a type of flatbread). Yeast dough is kneaded with plenty of butter and baked in a stone oven, leaving a crispy exterior and a soft, cotton-soft interior. It's often served hot for breakfast or alongside soup. Whether eaten plain or topped with cheese, it delivers that "homemade" flavor. The smell of a freshly baked yağ somunu in Konya is practically impossible to resist!