Konya's Timeless Okra Soup Tradition

Konya's special Okra Soup, which has been passed down from palace kitchens to the present day, has been a part of special occasion tables for years.

Made with flower okra and lamb, Okra Soup has been passed down from palace kitchens to the present day, and it continues to be served at meals on special occasions.

Served not at the beginning but in the middle of the meal, Okra Soup is a must-have dish for Konya residents, known for its ability to stimulate the appetite, its vitamin-rich content, and its satisfying nature.

Okra Soup has also gained the admiration of tourists visiting Konya. Following the application made by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office in 2021, it was officially registered as a Geographical Indication.

Chef Mehmet Alakır, who has been preparing wedding meals for 22 years, emphasized that Okra Soup is an essential dish in Konya. He said, "Okra Soup graces our tables as one of Konya's geographically registered rare dishes. It is known as a soup served on our special days—during holidays, weddings, funeral meals, and gatherings. In Konya, Okra Soup is made with flower okra. Other types of okra are not used. The meat in Okra Soup is always lamb, and onions are plentiful."

Alakır mentioned that visitors to Konya often find Okra Soup sour when they first try it, but they grow to love it. He explained, "Tourists' faces may pucker when they first taste it. But as they eat more, they enjoy it even more. Before leaving, they usually have it once more. Okra Soup always occupies the center of the table. As Konya locals, we first have Yayla Soup, then enjoy roast with rice and dessert. After that, we have Okra Soup to stimulate our appetite and eat a bit more. After Okra Soup, you can eat as much as you like."