03.06.2026 21:40
The famous keme mushroom, which appears in mountainous regions of Şanlıurfa only in April and May each year with spring rains, has taken its place on the stalls in June this year thanks to excessive rainfall. Despite its high price ranging from 1,000 TL to 2,000 TL per kilogram depending on quality, this healing mushroom attracts great interest and maintains its place on menus as "keme kebabı" when paired with meat.
Keme, which grows underground in Şanlıurfa and resembles potatoes in appearance, emerges in mountainous regions depending on rainfall. The product collected by villagers is offered for sale on stalls. Keme, priced between 1,000 and 2,000 Turkish Lira per kilogram depending on quality, attracts intense demand despite its high price.
IT IS TURNED INTO KEBAB AFTER COLLECTION
After being collected and offered for sale on stalls, the keme mushroom is purchased by restaurateurs and transformed into keme kebab. Kebab masters mix this special mushroom with meat, skewer it, and cook it carefully. Keme kebab is served with grilled peppers and green onions. Citizens, who see this mouth-watering delicacy on menus even in June, flock to venues to taste it regardless of its price.
IT IS SENT TO MANY PROVINCES
Keme mushroom seller Ahmet Fadıl said, "The juice of the keme mushroom is beneficial for the eyes. It provides great benefits when dropped into the eyes. It tastes very good and is high in protein. Its price starts from 1,000 lira and goes up to 1,500, 1,700, and 2,000 lira. This keme mushroom is mostly bought by restaurateurs. We send keme mushrooms from Şanlıurfa to Istanbul, Adana, and Mersin via cargo."
"IT IS A HEALING TYPE OF MUSHROOM"
Customer Halil Çalışkan said, "This keme is a healing type of mushroom that appears in empty fields in March and April and looks like potatoes. It is used to make kebab and medicine. Since it is a very beneficial food, we came and bought it."
"THIS IS AN INDISPENSABLE PRODUCT FOR US"
Mehmet Barış Yavuz said, "This is an indispensable product for us. We mix it with minced meat cut with a zırh (armor) and make kebab. We cook it with pieces of meat for dinner and consume it with rice. For lunch, we cook it with eggs and eat it. It tastes very good, I recommend everyone try it. I bought it for 1,500 lira. I will make kebab with half a kilo and sauté the other half."
"WE CANNOT KEEP UP WITH DEMAND RIGHT NOW"
Ümit Bozkurt, one of the city's kebab masters, said, "Keme kebab has a lifespan of two months. It is in April and May. It is an indispensable food of spring months. Keme kebab is a source of healing. We cannot keep up with demand right now. Tourists also show intense interest. After collecting the keme mushroom, which emerges with lightning in rainy weather, from the fields, we bring it here and make kebab. We make kebab in two ways: one is tike (pieces) and the other is haşhaş (poppy seed style). It is served with green onions, lemon, peppers, and grilled tomatoes as garnish. Those who wish can also consume it with mint and parsley. This kebab is a registered type of kebab in Şanlıurfa's gastronomy."
"ITS CURRENT PRICE IS BETWEEN 1,500 AND 2,000 TL"
Restaurant operator Necip Özbek said, "We are facing incredible demand. Of course, it is a very expensive product; its current price is between 1,500 and 2,000 TL. Since it is consumed only in a short two-month period, we sometimes cannot keep up with demand. Tourists coming to Şanlıurfa also show great interest. Since this keme kebab is a rare product, unfortunately we sometimes cannot meet the demand."
Customers who try keme kebab for the first time also stated that its taste is very good and recommended everyone to taste it.