Turkish Cuisine Week 2026 to be Held Worldwide from May 21–27; This Year's Theme is "The Heritage Table"
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey has announced that 'Turkish Cuisine Week 2026' will be held simultaneously across the globe from May 21 to 27, 2026. Marking its fifth year, the event's theme is 'The Heritage Table,' focusing on the stories and traditions shared around the table. Turkish embassies and cultural centers worldwide, including those in Japan, will collaborate to share Turkey's rich culinary heritage through various events and experiential programs.
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Dolma
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey (hereinafter referred to as Turkey) has announced that 'Turkish Cuisine Week 2026' will be held simultaneously worldwide from May 21 (Thursday) to 27 (Wednesday), 2026. This event, which began under the patronage of the First Lady of Turkey, reaches its landmark fifth iteration this year. This year's theme is 'The Heritage Table.' During the period, Turkish embassies, diplomatic missions, and cultural centers in Turkey and around the world, including Japan, will collaborate to showcase the charms of Turkey's rich culinary culture, nurtured over thousands of years of history, through a wide variety of events and experiential programs.
■ 2026 Theme: 'The Heritage Table'
The theme focuses not only on the taste of dishes but also on the stories, memories, traditions shared by gathering around the table, and the heritage passed on to the future. With the message 'The table is the oldest language for people to gather; food connects people across eras,' the following three concepts will be developed:
- Dialogue: The table as a platform where different eras and cultures intersect to create new value.
- Transformation: Culinary memories passed down and evolved from recipe to recipe across generations.
- Archive: The kitchen as a place to accurately record history not left in writing and reproduce it on daily tables.
■ This Year's Featured Dishes
This year's Turkish Cuisine Week will spotlight the following dishes that symbolize Turkey's cultural richness and culinary excellence:
- Keşkek: A porridge of slow-cooked wheat and meat, registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It symbolizes celebration and collective work in the community.
- Baklava: A traditional sweet made of many layers of phyllo dough. It is a traditional food passed down through generations and craftsmanship.
- Mantı: Small Turkish-style dumplings. A dish reflecting the history of migration and travel.
- Dolma: A dish of rice or other fillings wrapped in grape leaves or vegetables. It expresses 'diversity' within a shared culinary language.
- Helva: A traditional sweet representing solidarity, memory, and commemoration.
Keskek
Baklava Mantı
For more details on 'Turkish Cuisine Week 2026,' including menus, recipes, and technique videos, please visit turkishcuisineweek.com.
About Turkey
As a vital link between Asia and Europe, Turkey has been considered a hub of cultural exchange and diversity for centuries. It is a multi-purpose destination with a history, archaeological sites, nature, and gastronomy reflecting diverse civilizations. It continues to fascinate visitors from all over the world with its dynamic shopping and entertainment life, as well as art and fashion that blend tradition and modernity. In 2025, Turkey welcomed a record-breaking approximately 64 million tourists from around the world. The year 2023 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, and 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan.
For more information on Turkey, please visit the official website (https://goturkiye.jp/) or the following social media channels.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoTurkiye.jp
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/GoTurkiye_jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goturkiye_jp/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/tourismturkeyjp
About the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA)
The Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) carries out all promotion, marketing, and communication activities based on tourism strategies and policies set by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to establish Turkey's branding in domestic and international tourism markets and increase recognition of Turkey as an attractive destination for tourism and business. TGA promotes and sells current tourism opportunities worldwide while discovering, improving, and establishing potential areas of tourism.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey (hereinafter referred to as Turkey) has announced that 'Turkish Cuisine Week 2026' will be held simultaneously worldwide from May 21 (Thursday) to 27 (Wednesday), 2026. This event, which began under the patronage of the First Lady of Turkey, reaches its landmark fifth iteration this year. This year's theme is 'The Heritage Table.' During the period, Turkish embassies, diplomatic missions, and cultural centers in Turkey and around the world, including Japan, will collaborate to showcase the charms of Turkey's rich culinary culture, nurtured over thousands of years of history, through a wide variety of events and experiential programs.
■ 2026 Theme: 'The Heritage Table'
The theme focuses not only on the taste of dishes but also on the stories, memories, traditions shared by gathering around the table, and the heritage passed on to the future. With the message 'The table is the oldest language for people to gather; food connects people across eras,' the following three concepts will be developed:
- Dialogue: The table as a platform where different eras and cultures intersect to create new value.
- Transformation: Culinary memories passed down and evolved from recipe to recipe across generations.
- Archive: The kitchen as a place to accurately record history not left in writing and reproduce it on daily tables.
■ This Year's Featured Dishes
This year's Turkish Cuisine Week will spotlight the following dishes that symbolize Turkey's cultural richness and culinary excellence:
- Keşkek: A porridge of slow-cooked wheat and meat, registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It symbolizes celebration and collective work in the community.
- Baklava: A traditional sweet made of many layers of phyllo dough. It is a traditional food passed down through generations and craftsmanship.
- Mantı: Small Turkish-style dumplings. A dish reflecting the history of migration and travel.
- Dolma: A dish of rice or other fillings wrapped in grape leaves or vegetables. It expresses 'diversity' within a shared culinary language.
- Helva: A traditional sweet representing solidarity, memory, and commemoration.
Keskek
Baklava Mantı
For more details on 'Turkish Cuisine Week 2026,' including menus, recipes, and technique videos, please visit turkishcuisineweek.com.
About Turkey
As a vital link between Asia and Europe, Turkey has been considered a hub of cultural exchange and diversity for centuries. It is a multi-purpose destination with a history, archaeological sites, nature, and gastronomy reflecting diverse civilizations. It continues to fascinate visitors from all over the world with its dynamic shopping and entertainment life, as well as art and fashion that blend tradition and modernity. In 2025, Turkey welcomed a record-breaking approximately 64 million tourists from around the world. The year 2023 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, and 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan.
For more information on Turkey, please visit the official website (https://goturkiye.jp/) or the following social media channels.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoTurkiye.jp
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/GoTurkiye_jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goturkiye_jp/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/tourismturkeyjp
About the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA)
The Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) carries out all promotion, marketing, and communication activities based on tourism strategies and policies set by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to establish Turkey's branding in domestic and international tourism markets and increase recognition of Turkey as an attractive destination for tourism and business. TGA promotes and sells current tourism opportunities worldwide while discovering, improving, and establishing potential areas of tourism.
FAQ
Will there be events in Japan for Turkish Cuisine Week?
Yes, Turkish embassies and cultural centers in Japan will host linked events and experiential programs during the week.
What is Keşkek?
It is a porridge-like dish made of wheat and meat, representing communal celebrations and is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
What information is available on the official website?
You can find menus, recipes, and technique videos related to the event at turkishcuisineweek.com.