The story
Perde pilavı, 'curtain pilaf', is a celebrated dish of Siirt in southeastern Turkey. Rice cooked with chicken, almonds and other nuts is packed into a dome-shaped wrapping of thin pastry and baked, then turned out whole and cut at the table; some versions use partridge. It is traditionally made for weddings and honoured guests, and local custom gives each part a meaning: the rice stands for plenty, the almonds and birds for daughters and sons, and the pastry 'curtain' reminds the new bride to keep her household's secrets. The dish is centuries old and now carries a registered geographical indication for Siirt.
Also known as perde pilav, curtain pilaf, Siirt perde pilavı.
On the Meridish menu
Perde pilavı (curtain pilaf) was the rice & noodles course on menu No. 16 on October 16, 2026. Its clue in the game, which hints at the place without naming it:
'Curtain pilaf': chicken, rice, almonds and raisins baked in a dome of thin pastry. A wedding dish here; the pastry reminds the bride to keep the home's secrets.
In Meridish, every dish is pinned to the town or city most widely credited with creating it. A guess within 25 km scores all 100 points. How scoring works.
Sources
Food history is often disputed. Think we've pinned it in the wrong place? Tell us at hello@meridish.com, ideally with a source.
