Italian Cuisine: Not Only a Food but also a Lifestyle…

Tex-Mex cuisine, a food culture that emerged with the blending of Texas and Mexican cuisines, is the abbreviation of the expression ‘Texas Mexican’ used for Mexican Americans living in Texas in the early 20th century. This cuisine reflects a unique blend of American and Mexican flavours.

Tex-Mex cuisine was born when Mexican immigrants settled in Texas. These immigrants, while cooking their traditional dishes, reinterpreted their recipes with American ingredients found in Texas. This synthesis became popular in the mid-1900s and has become an international cuisine today.

The characteristics of Tex-Mex cuisine differ from other cuisines with more abundant portions and the prominence of pain. Here are some features of Tex-Mex cuisine:

• Abundant Use of Cheese and Meat: Tex-Mex dishes use plenty of melted cheese, beef or chicken meat. This is the most distinctive feature of Tex-Mex, unlike traditional Mexican cuisine.
• Spices and Sauces: In Tex-Mex cuisine, strong spices such as cumin, chilli, garlic and onion are frequently used. Salsa, guacamole and jalapeño are also indispensable in this cuisine.
• Flour Tortillas: Flour tortillas are more common in Tex-Mex. In Mexican cuisine, corn tortillas are generally preferred.
• Plenty of Portions: Portions in Tex-Mex cuisine are quite large and satisfying.

Even Though There Are Differences Between Tex-Mex and Mexican Cuisine, They Are Very Similar!

Tex-Mex dishes are frequently preferred in fast food chains and restaurants around the world. Especially in the USA, big brands such as Taco Bell represent Tex-Mex cuisine. Tex-Mex flavours have also gained popularity with easy-to-make recipes at home.

Tex-Mex; In addition to being a cultural bridge of Texas and Mexico, it continues to maintain its place on the tables with its innovative and delicious dishes.

Mexican cuisine, which emerged as a result of the culinary traditions of indigenous peoples such as the Aztecs and Mayans, combined with Spanish colonialism, has been recognised by UNESCO as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Differences between Tex-Mex cuisine and traditional Mexican cuisine:

• Cheese: While American cheeses such as cheddar cheese are frequently used in Tex-Mex cuisine, queso fresco (fresh cheese) is preferred in Mexican cuisine.
• Tortilla Type: Flour tortillas are more common in Tex-Mex, while corn tortillas are more common in Mexican cuisine.
• Spice Intensity: Tex-Mex cuisine usually has heavier spices.

Discover Popular Dishes of Tex-Mex Cuisine!

Fajita

It is one of the iconic dishes of Tex-Mex cuisine. It is a dish served with grilled meat (usually chicken or steak), peppers and onions. It is served with flour tortillas.

Taco

It is stuffed with various fillings such as beef, chicken or fish and usually served in a crispy tortilla shell.

Burrito

It is a large tortilla wrap with beans, rice, meat, vegetables and cheese.

Nachos

They are tortilla chips covered with melted cheese, jalapeño and various sauces.

Quesadilla

It is a tortilla dish filled with melted cheese and other fillings and cooked in a pan. Quesadilla is also a Tex-Mex classic.

Chili con Carne

It is a stew dish made with minced meat, beans, tomatoes and spices. Chili con Carne is both filling and delicious.

A Journey Beyond Borders in Your Palate: MexTex Restaurant

In Tex-Mex cuisine, food doesn’t just fill you up; it creates memories, envelops your senses and leaves a lasting impression on your palate. Every bite of this cuisine is a passion without borders. With Kilikya Palace Göynük MexTex Restaurant, you will discover wonderful flavours prepared with the professional touches of our expert chefs during your holiday.

Far Eastern cuisine, which is a world of flavour where thousands of years of traditions, the generosity of nature and carefully crafted craftsmanship come together, also contains healthy morsels. Offering both nutritious and balanced flavours, Far Eastern cuisine reflects the harmony of vegetables with meat in every bowl.

Bamboo baskets where steam rises slowly, thinly sliced vegetables, hot rice grains and the smell of fresh seafood reveal the unique nature of this cuisine. Each plate is like a work of art, bringing together the colours, smells and flavours of nature.

Japan, one of the most populous countries in the world, is one of the countries that still keeps its table traditions alive by reflecting its order and rule to its meals. In Japanese cuisine, the elegant touches made by the sushi master with his sharp knife transform the fish coming from the depths of the sea into an art form. The freshness of the fish, the softness of the rice and the sharpness of the wasabi create a harmony that explodes on the palate. The patience and care that goes into making sushi is a reflection of Zen philosophy; everything comes together in harmony and balance.

China, where weather and climatic conditions vary, is one of the most visited countries by tourists in the world. In this land with thousands of years of history, the food has not lost its essence and has managed to leave its mark on the palates of those who try it with modern touches. In Chinese cuisine, the rapidly rotating vegetables in the wok perform a colourful dance. In these magical moments when steam and fire come together, flavours blend together, resulting in fresh, vibrant and flavourful dishes. The balance of sour-sweet sauces, chillies and slightly sweet notes reflects the originality and diversity of this cuisine. The ingredients used in the dishes respect the cycle of nature, with seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs and optimally cooked meats enriching the table.

With more than 100 million inhabitants, Vietnam has a tropical climate. In Vietnamese cuisine with the diversity given by its climate; Pho soup made with thin rice noodles is like a peaceful sip in the cool of the morning. The blend of ginger, star anise and fresh herbs stimulates the senses and relaxes you like a calm river. Inside each bowl is a fairy tale of warmth and freshness, a tale of a vast world, from the serene villages of the Far East to the bustling marketplaces.

With its fertile rice paddies, tropical climate and majestic temples, Thailand is one of the most popular countries attracting the attention of the people of the world. In the cuisine of every city in Thailand, which receives many tourists at any time of the year; the strong aroma of spices is softened with coconut milk, and sweet, bitter and sour notes are skilfully combined. A hot, creamy Thai curry dish tells the story of an evening filled with the coolness of tropical rains. The refreshing scent of lemongrass, the sharpness of lime and the green touch of fresh coriander seem to speak to nature itself in every bite.

South Korean cuisine, which hosts popular dishes in many parts of the world, both colours and flavours the tables with delicious recipes that contain history. The noodles they eat in bowls at every meal consist of different sauces, seafood, vegetables or meat. South Korean cuisine, which has a deep-rooted gastronomic culture that attracts great attention worldwide with its rich aromas, vibrant colours and balanced flavours, transforms every meal into a multi-layered taste experience with small side dishes (banchan) lined up around a main course. Each meal offers a symphony of flavour with the harmonious combination of fresh ingredients. Korean cuisine is much more than a simple meal; it is a social ritual, a reflection of traditions and historical heritage.

Discover the dishes that leave a mark on the palate in each country in the Far East Cuisine!

Each country’s unique ingredients, cooking techniques and spices make these dishes special from each other. Far Eastern cuisine continues to fascinate people around the world with the art of transforming simple ingredients with elegant touches.

Here are some special dishes and their ingredients according to some Far Eastern countries:

Japan

• Sushi: A traditional dish made with fresh fish, rice, seaweed and various seafood. Varieties include nigiri, sashimi and maki.
• Ramen: It is a popular noodle soup served with noodles cooked in broth, various vegetables, meat and eggs.
• Tempura: Consists of vegetables, shrimp and other seafood dipped in a light batter and fried.
• Sashimi: Thinly sliced raw fish or seafood, served directly with its pure and fresh flavour.

China

• Peking Duck: Famous for its thin and crispy skin, thinly sliced duck meat is eaten wrapped in steamed dumplings with special sauces.
• Kung Pao Chicken: Chicken dish prepared with spicy, sweet and slightly sour sauce, cooked with peanuts and chillies.
• Dim Sum: Small snacks steamed or fried; meat, seafood or vegetables.
• Fried Rice: A rice dish fried in a wok with vegetables, eggs, meat or seafood.

Vietnam

• Pho: A famous noodle soup made with rice noodles, meat (usually beef or chicken), fresh herbs and aromatic spices.
• Banh Mi: Vietnamese style sandwich; baguette bread with meat, pickled vegetables, coriander and spicy sauces.
• Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls): Fresh shrimp, vegetables, herbs and noodles wrapped in rice paper; usually served with sweet chilli sauce.
• Bun Cha: A dish of grilled pork and rice noodles served with fresh herbs and pickles.

Thailand

• Pad Thai: A dish made with stir-fried rice noodles, shrimp, chicken or tofu, egg, soya sprouts and peanuts.
• Tom Yum: A spicy and sour soup, usually prepared with shrimp and various herbs (lemon grass, lime leaves, ginger).
• Green Curry: A creamy and spicy curry dish made with coconut milk, green chillies, meat or seafood and fresh vegetables.
• Som Tum: A spicy and sour green papaya salad flavoured with garlic, chilli, peanuts and lime.

South Korea

• Kimchi: A spicy and sour side dish made from fermented cabbage or other vegetables.
• Bibimbap: Means mixed rice; served with vegetables, meat, eggs and spices, often flavoured with gochujang (red chilli paste).
• Bulgogi: A dish of thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet and savoury sauce and grilled.
• Tteokbokki: Rice cake cooked in a spicy and sweet sauce; usually served with fish cakes and vegetables.

During your Kilikya Palace Göynük holiday, which continues throughout the summer season, you will experience different flavours at our Far East A’la Carte Restaurant. You will discover the flavourful touches of our chef in our menu, which includes the famous dishes of every cuisine in the Far East countries.