Kilis Food and Drink Guide

Kilis, formerly a district of Gaziantep and later granted provincial status, is a city renowned for its history, natural beauty, and culinary delights. The unique cuisine of the Southeast is well-represented in Kilis recipes, captivating both locals and foreign tourists. This province, famous for its traditional dishes featuring a blend of meat and vegetables, has produced many culinary masters.

In Kilis, you'll discover diverse flavors for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While we mention Southeastern cuisine, it's essential to note the province's broad culinary spectrum influenced by its proximity to the Mediterranean. With a history spanning 3,000 years, people often make a stop in this province solely to indulge in its culinary heritage. So, what are the must-try dishes in Kilis, and what should you eat and drink when visiting? Here's a list of the most renowned flavors.

Öcce

Perhaps the most famous among Kilis's dishes is Öcce. Frequently enjoyed with tea, especially in Kilis, Öcce is a light dough-based dish. It's a go-to snack, making it a common sight between meals. Öcce's simplicity makes it accessible to everyone, and it's a staple companion for tea chats in Kilis.

Silkme

A standout dish in the region, Silkme, is a vegetable delight packed with various ingredients, ensuring a satisfying and flavorful experience. Healthy, filling, and nutritious, Silkme is an impressive discovery for first-time tasters. As one of the frequently mentioned dishes in Kilis cuisine, you'll likely find it on the menu of nearly every restaurant or diner in the province. For a twist, try Silkme with a dollop of yogurt.

Kölük

A regional favorite, Kölük, crafted from bulgur and lentils, is a top choice for tourists exploring Kilis. The dish's delightful consistency transforms into a feast when paired with ayran. You can savor Kölük in many of the city's restaurants.

Teşrübe

A delectable combination of meat and eggplant, Teşrübe, also celebrated in Gaziantep, stands out with its small chopped eggplants and meat cooked to perfection. Customizable with additional vegetables, Teşrübe is a standout for meat lovers visiting Kilis.

Sour Malhıta

Originally an Arabic dish, Sour Malhıta has earned its place among the region's prominent flavors. This slightly sour soup is a culinary gem. Visually similar to lentil soup, Sour Malhıta surprises with its unique taste. Consider ordering this appetizing soup as a prelude to your main course.

Kilis Tava

Again, one of the most special flavors unique to Kilis is Kilis frying pan. When it comes to meat dishes, Kilis pan is always the first dish that comes to mind. Kilis pan, which is a meat-intensive dish, also includes roasted tomatoes. This meat dish, which doubles the flavor with roasted peppers, is cooked in the oven. If you are someone who cannot say no to meat dishes, we can say that you will never regret trying Kilis pan. 

Lebeniye

Lebeniye soup is one of the most delicious soups of traditional Kilis cuisine. This soup is also very popular in Hatay and Gaziantep. It contains meat and chickpeas. Another feature of the soup is that it also contains flour, yogurt and small meatballs. In this way, the flavor of the soup gains a much different dimension.

Oruk

Oruk is a dish that resembles stuffed meatballs in appearance. Oruk, which is essentially an Arabic dish, has a thin, long shape. This dish is also called kibbe or stuffed meatballs. Oruk is a dish that can be prepared in two ways. The first is boiled. The other is fried. This dish is served especially on special occasions. The reason for this is that it is a bit laborious to prepare. However, the result is worth this effort.

When it comes to Kilis cuisine, it is possible to talk about many more dishes. In addition to these first dishes that come to mind, Kübbülmüşviyye, Mıkla, Şıhılmahşe, Keşkek, Firik Pilaf, Gerebiç, Bulamaç, Katmer, Züngül, Haytayla, Cennet Çamuru, Sucuk Hapısası, Gün Pekmezi, Aniseed Kahke, Semolina Halva with Cheese, Kilis Burma Dessert and Şıllık Dessert are among the other flavors you may want to try. 

During your visits to both Kilis and Gaziantep, you can stop by any restaurant or diner and try these delicious flavors. These flavors, which those who taste them will want to order again and again, are of great value in terms of both regional and world cuisine.