While everyone chases döner and kebabs, Antalya's true specialty is piyaz - white bean salad dressed with tahini that tastes completely different from anywhere else in Turkey. Usually paired with hand-rolled köfte as complementary dishes. Sounds humble, delivers incredible flavors when prepared with proper technique.

Real piyaz requires specific white beans soaked overnight, paper-thin red onion slices, perfectly ripe tomatoes, and house-made tahini dressing with exact lemon balance. The creamy tahini coats each bean while onions provide sharp contrast. Hand-rolled köfte adds protein without overwhelming the delicate bean flavors.

Meşhur Aksu Köfte Piyaz (on Atatürk Boulevard near Konyaaltı) masters this combination. Their tahini dressing has subtle garlic notes, beans maintain perfect texture, köfte are formed fresh daily not frozen supplier pucks. The contrast between cool creamy beans and warm spiced meat creates perfect harmony.

Tourist versions in Kaleiçi often use canned beans with bottled tahini - completely different dish. This requires patience and technique. Watching proper preparation feels meditative, like witnessing quiet culinary artistry that locals have perfected over generations.