Bosnia and Herzegovina's Famous Dishes: Cevapi and Bosnian Burek
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Traditional Bosnian flavors you must try in Sarajevo and Mostar: Cevapi, Bosnian pie, and coffee.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Famous Dishes
Considered the gastronomic capital of the Balkans, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a wonderful country where you can find flavors that are especially familiar to Turkish palates, and where meat and pastries are transformed into an art form.
1. Cevapi (Bosnian Kebabs)
Without a doubt, the first legendary dish that comes to mind when you think of Bosnia is cevapi! Resembling İnegöl or Tekirdağ meatballs, these finger-shaped kebabs are cooked over charcoal on enormous grills. They are served in a warm, soft flatbread (somun) brushed with a special meat broth, alongside plenty of chopped raw onion and kaymak (a dairy product that differs from the kaymak we know: it is slightly salty and has a cream-cheese-like texture). In Sarajevo's Baščaršija, Cevabdzilica Zeljo or Ferhatovic are the masters of this dish, while in Mostar, Tima-Irma is the place to go.
2. Bosnian Pies (Pita/Burek)
Similar to our water börek or rolled börek, Bosnian pies (pita) are slowly cooked in large trays over glowing charcoal beneath a metal griddle. They are crispy on the outside and juicy and piping hot inside. The meat-filled version is called Burek The cheese-filled version is called Sirnica The spinach-filled version is called Zeljanica The potato-filled version is called Krompirusa. Be sure to have a glass of cold yogurt drink (ayran) with it.
3. Traditional Bosnian Coffee
After your meal, be sure to enjoy Bosnian coffee (Bosanska Kahva) in Baščaršija or with a view of the Old Bridge in Mostar. It is very similar to Turkish coffee, but served differently. It comes in traditional handleless cups, with Turkish delight and a glass of water, alongside a copper coffee pot. Rather than adding sugar to the coffee, it is recommended that you sweeten each sip by biting into a sugar cube.
4. Trileçe and Tufahije
For dessert, Trileçe, a Balkan favorite, can be found on every corner. But if you're looking for something more traditional, try Tufahije, the famous apple dessert filled with walnuts, simmered in syrup, and served topped with whipped cream.