A Reflection of Turkish Culture at the Table: Kısır & Menemen Delicacies

15 August 2025

Antalya captivates visitors from all over the world not only with its azure sea and golden beaches, but also with its rich culinary culture.

Antalya family hotels offer their guests not only comfortable accommodation but also a gastronomic experience filled with local flavours. Among these hotels, Kilikya Palace one of the hotels with the highest guest satisfaction, stands out with its rich cuisine. Kısır and menemen are just two of the most special Turkish dishes you must try here.

Kısır: An indispensable side dish of Anatolian tables

Kısır is one of the lightest and most nutritious cold dishes in Turkish cuisine. This delicacy, created by combining fine bulgur, fresh vegetables and olive oil sauce, is a favourite on tables at both lunch and dinner.

History

Kısır originates from the cuisine of Central Anatolia and Southeast Turkey. Served at collective events such as weddings, gatherings, and spring celebrations for centuries, kısır has become a symbol of hospitality and the culture of sharing.

How to Make It

Fine bulgur is lightly softened with hot water, then seasoned with olive oil, pomegranate molasses, and tomato paste. Fresh onions, parsley, mint, and chopped greens are added. Lemon juice and spices are used to balance the flavours.

Kısır Experience at the Buffet

Kısır is prepared with the freshest vegetables and high-quality olive oil. With its light texture, this appetiser is especially popular in the summer months and is served as a filling option alongside meat dishes or on its own.

Menemen: The Star of Breakfast Tables

Menemen is one of Turkey’s most beloved dishes and the most popular choice for breakfast. It is not limited to breakfast, but is also served as a hot, practical and delicious alternative at any meal of the day.

History

The name Menemen comes from the district of Menemen in Izmir. Since the Ottoman period, it has been an integral part of breakfast culture, especially in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Cooking it with the freshest tomatoes and peppers gives the dish a regional character.

How to Make It

Sauté green peppers in olive oil, add chopped tomatoes, and cook over low heat. Then, beaten eggs are added and gently stirred. It can be enriched with salt, black pepper, and optional white cheese or cheddar cheese.

A Memorable Menemen Experience

Enjoy menemen every morning during your holiday with fresh tomatoes, peppers, and farm-fresh eggs. You will enjoy menemen made with or without onions, according to your taste.

The Secrets of Kısır and Menemen

The most important feature of both dishes is the use of fresh ingredients. Vegetables grown in Antalya’s fertile soils meet the rich aromas offered by the Mediterranean climate. Natural ingredients such as olive oil, pomegranate molasses and spices complete the flavour.

  • Tip for Kısır: The quality of the pomegranate molasses and the freshness of the greens determine the flavour of the dish.
  • Tip for Menemen: The water content of the tomatoes and the cooking time of the eggs are the most important factors in achieving the ideal consistency

When is it eaten?

  • Kısır: It is usually preferred as a light but filling option for lunch and dinner.
  • Menemen: It is an indispensable part of breakfast, but it can also be prepared as a practical main dish in the evening when you are tired.

Gastronomic Experience at Antalya Family Hotels

Antalya family hotels offer child-friendly and healthy menus that appeal to the palates of guests throughout their holiday. Kilikya Palace stands out with its rich buffet options that appeal to guests of all ages.

Guests are satisfied not only in terms of Antalya hotel prices but also in terms of taste and quality. For this reason, Kilikya Palace ranks among the hotels with the highest guest satisfaction in Antalya.

Discovering the Culture of Flavour on Holiday

A holiday at Kilikya Palace Hotel is not just about the sea and sun; it is also an opportunity to discover the deep-rooted flavours of Turkish cuisine. The kısır and menemen served in our restaurants are the most authentic representatives of our culinary culture, passed down from generation to generation.

These flavours, combined with Antalya’s unique nature and Mediterranean hospitality, will leave an unforgettable impression on your holiday. If you want to prioritise both comfort and culinary pleasure during your holiday, be sure to try these two delicacies at Kilikya Palace’s buffet.

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One of the Most Traditional Anatolian Delicacies to Add Flavour to Your Holiday: Künefe

10 September 2025

One of the most special desserts in Turkish cuisine, künefe is a traditional delicacy that has carried the traces of different cultures throughout history. Originating in the Middle East, künefe has gained a unique identity in cities such as Hatay, Gaziantep and Mersin. This dessert, which has been on tables for centuries, was also frequently preferred in the Ottoman palace kitchen.

Today, künefe is enjoyed throughout Turkey, offering dessert lovers both a cultural heritage and a unique flavour.

The Preparation of Künefe: A Meticulously Crafted Art

The preparation of künefe becomes a work of art in the hands of a master. The basic ingredients are shredded phyllo dough, unsalted cheese, syrup, and butter.

👉Wire kadayif is spread over a tray greased with butter.

👉A generous amount of unsalted cheese is added on top.

👉It is covered with a second layer of wire kadayif.

👉It is cooked in a copper tray over low heat.

👉After being drenched in syrup, it is garnished with pistachios.

The result is a warm, crispy dessert with the lingering flavour of cheese, leaving an unforgettable taste on the palate.

The Flavour of Künefe: Where Sweetness Meets Serenity

The most distinctive feature of künefe is the perfect balance between sweet and savoury. The sweetness of the syrup combines with the light saltiness of the cheese to create a unique harmony in the mouth. Moreover, serving it piping hot adds a special charm to the dessert.

After a lovely day on holiday, eating a warm künefe by the sea or in your hotel’s restaurant brings peace to both your soul and body. That’s why künefe is not just a dessert but also a source of happiness.

Enjoying Künefe on Holiday in Antalya

The good news for dessert lovers is that it’s very easy to experience this unique flavour while on holiday in Antalya. Many restaurants and hotels in the city offer delicious künefe made by master chefs.

For those wondering, ‘Which are the best hotels in Antalya?’, let us say: Kilikya Palace in the Kemer region, with its rich menu of flavours, stands out for both its comfortable holiday facilities and its rich cuisine. At Kilikya Palace, you can also find traditional Turkish desserts.

Furthermore, for those seeking answers to the question, ‘Which hotels in Antalya are suitable for holidays?’, Kilikya Palace Hotel offers holiday days immersed in nature and the sea, with options catering to different tastes, such as rooms with sea views, all-inclusive concepts, and rich world cuisines.

Unforgettable Memories on Holiday with Künefe

While enjoying the sun, sea, and nature during your holiday in Antalya, crowning your dinner with a warm künefe is a unique experience. Especially when shared with loved ones, the sweet treat becomes part of beautiful memories.

For many holidaymakers, künefe is not just a flavour but also a symbol of peace and happiness during their holiday.

Holidays in Antalya and Künefe

A cultural heritage, künefe is one of Anatolia’s most special desserts, touching not only the palate but also the heart. While holidaying in Antalya, be sure to experience this unique dessert offered by luxury hotels.

For holidaymakers seeking answers to both ‘Which are Antalya’s best hotels?’ and ‘Which hotels are suitable for holidays in Antalya?’, our recommendation is this: make your holiday unforgettable by savouring künefe in Antalya hotels where comfort, tranquillity and gastronomic pleasure come together.

After a day by the sea, your holiday will be even more delicious with a warm künefe.

Surrounded by Ancient Cities that Contain the Living Texture of History; Antalya

20 February 2025

Antalya, which has hosted many civilisations from past to present as the shining pearl of the Mediterranean, has attracted the attention of people throughout history with its sea, mountains and fertile lands and has combined the traces of various cultures for thousands of years.

‘Attaleia’, founded by the order of King Attalos II of Pergamon and named after him, laid the foundations of today’s Antalya. Civilisations such as ancient Lycia, Pamphylia, Pisidia and Cilicia left their mark here, and their traditions, languages and cultures shaped the spirit of Antalya.

Antalya has been a cultural crossroads in every period of its history. This city bears the cultural traces of many great civilisations from the Hellenistic period to the Roman Empire, from Byzantium to the Seljuks and the Ottoman Empire. Ancient cities along the Lycian Way, Roman theatres and Byzantine churches reveal the multi-layered history of Antalya. As you walk through the narrow streets of Kaleiçi, you walk on stone paths paved by the Romans, watch the fine workmanship of Seljuk architecture, and watch the past from the windows of Ottoman houses.

Antalya’s cultural heritage is not limited to buildings. Folk dances, handicrafts and Mediterranean cuisine of the region are also part of this heritage. Antalya’s distinctive folkloric dances, local melodies and wedding traditions carry the influence of both Anatolian culture and Mediterranean breezes. From the citrus groves of Kumluca to the legend of Santa Claus in Demre, Antalya harbours a story in every corner.

In other words, it is possible to touch history in Antalya, feel the salty wind of the Mediterranean Sea and make a journey from ancient times to the present day. The fine workmanship and deep roots of history can be felt in every stone, street and tree of Antalya. This city is the meeting point of the modern world with the cultural heritage from ancient times and offers dozens of stories waiting to be told to every visitor.

Colour your holiday days with the historical culture of Antalya

Antalya is like an open-air museum bearing the traces of the ancient world; it hosts the heritage of a different civilisation in each corner. Ancient cities built on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, at the foot of the mountains, carry the splendour and cultural depth of the civilisations that once lived here. The ancient cities in Antalya offer traces of many civilisations from Lycia to Pamphylia, from Pisidia to the Roman Empire.

Perge

Perge, one of the most important cities of the Pamphylia region, was founded in the 4th century BC. This ancient city became one of the most popular cultural centres of the Roman period and stood out as one of the most developed cities of its period. Perge’s stadium, theatre and colonnaded streets reflect the elegance of Roman architecture. Known for the cults of Athena and Artemis, Perge has been a centre of deep spiritual attraction not only for its architecture but also for the temples dedicated to its goddesses. The city is about 90 km from Kemer-Göynük, about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car. This ancient city, which is close to the centre of Antalya, is located in the east direction.

Aspendos

It is famous for having one of the best preserved ancient theatres in history. Built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, this theatre still hosts concerts and shows today, bringing together the past and the present. It is known that the city dates back to the 10th century BC and was an important stop on trade routes. The architectural splendour of Aspendos is revealed with its aqueducts and magnificent theatre, which can be considered the pinnacle of Roman engineering. The city, which is about 100 km from Kemer-Göynük, can take about 1 hour and 40 minutes by car. Aspendos is located within the borders of Serik district.

Phaselis

Phaselis, known as the sea trade and harbour city of the Lycian region, was founded in the 7th century BC. Thanks to sea trade, it has both enriched and become a cultural centre. The three harbours of Phaselis, as the city’s gateways to the Mediterranean, made it a centre of trade in the past and maintained its existence during the Roman Empire. Ancient harbour ruins, baths and agoras in the city take visitors on a journey through the waters of the past. The city, which is about 23 km from Kemer-Göynük, is about 30 minutes away by car. Phaselis can be easily reached from Kemer.

Olympos

Olympos is a mysterious ancient city where mythology and pirate stories are intertwined. This ancient city of Lycia is located right next to the Yanartaş, dedicated to the god Hephaistos. Olympos, famous for its natural beauty and mystical atmosphere, has been famous throughout history, especially as a refuge for pirates. While the traces of pirates are still felt in the ruins, the Temple of Apollo and the necropolis ruins bear the traces of the spiritual life in ancient times. The city, which is about 40 km from Kemer-Göynük, can take about 50 minutes by car. Olympos is located west of Kemer.

Termessos

Termessos, known as a unique city built on the peaks of Antalya, is located 1000 metres above sea level. The Pisidian city is like a natural fortress. Termessos is famous as the city that Alexander the Great could not conquer, and since ancient times it has been seen as a distinctive symbol of independence. Its theatre is in charming harmony with the mountain landscape surrounding the city. Termessos, which makes visitors feel the splendour and freedom of the heights, carries the resistance story of the past to the present. The city, which is about 80 km from Kemer-Göynük, takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car. Termessos is located on the western side of the mountainous region of Antalya.

Myra

Myra is a Lycian city famous for its rock tombs. With its tombs carved into high rocks, it reveals the beliefs of Lycian culture about life after death. It is also thought that St Nicholas, known as Santa Claus, lived in this city and was buried here. In this respect, Myra maintains its importance both religiously and culturally. The city is approximately 105 km from Kemer-Göynük; It can take about 2 hours by car. Myra, located in Demre district, is located west of Kemer.

These ancient cities of Antalya keep alive the legacy of thousands of years of history. Each of them is a silent narrator that carries the beliefs, art and life of past civilisations to the present day. As you wander through these ancient cities, you touch not only the stones but also the spirit of the past and the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea.

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