Akçakoca women preserve traditional mancarlı pide heritage

In the Akçakoca district of Düzce, women are working together to preserve the traditional Manav Turk dish known as ‘Akçakoca mancarlı pidesi’. The recipe, which has roots dating back to the Ottoman era, received a geographical indication certification in 2017.

Kıymet Yağlıoğlu and Güngör Aydın opened a shop in the Yukarı Mahalle neighborhood in 2013 to promote this heritage. The dish is prepared using edible herbs and green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, chard, and wild herbs that grow naturally during the summer.

The initiative began as a community effort among local women and has grown into a small business that supports local employment. For 13 years, the group has used traditional methods to ensure the regional flavor is passed down to future generations.