Igdir's food and drink culture is a mosaic shaped by the city's ethnic diversity and rich agricultural structure. Turkish, Kurdish and Azerbaijani Turkic culinary traditions blend together to create a rich cuisine based on meat and grain products. Meals are usually prepared with local ingredients and home-cooked meals are predominant.
Perhaps the most well-known dish of Iğdır cuisine is keledoş. This dish is a type of soup made with simple but nutritious ingredients such as chickpeas, wheat and yogurt, and is especially preferred in winter. Keledoş, which helps the people of the region maintain their body temperature on cold winter days, is known for its filling and energizing properties.
Haşıl is another prominent dish of Igdir. Prepared by cooking wheat and meat for long periods of time, this dish is a main dish frequently served on special occasions such as weddings and festivals. In addition to khasil, various meat dishes and kebab varieties are among the indispensables of Iğdır tables. Dishes such as dolma and sarma prepared with the influence of Azerbaijani Turkish cuisine are also very popular.
Vegetable consumption is also quite common in Igdir, and especially with the promotion of organic farming, fresh and healthy vegetables are abundant. These vegetables are used in various appetizers and salads as well as garnishes for main dishes. Fruits grown in the region, such as apricots, are consumed fresh as well as dried fruits.
Tea has a special place as a beverage in Igdir. As in other regions of Turkey, tea consumption is common in Iğdır almost every hour of the day. Tea plays an important role especially in hospitality rituals and social gatherings. In addition, fermented drinks such as boza and ayran are also popular, especially in winter.
In general, Iğdır has a rich diversity in terms of food culture, and this richness manifests itself both in the daily life of the local people and on special occasions. Each dish carries clues about the agriculture, history and culture of the region and stands out as an element reflecting Iğdır's hospitality and social structure.