Borek, also spelled börek or burek, is a family of pastries or pies found in the Balkans, Middle East, and Central Asia. It is a highly customizable and versatile dish that is commonly enjoyed both at meals and for snacks. The pastry is made of a thin flaky dough such as filo, and it can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as meat, cheese, spinach, potatoes, eggplant, and mushrooms. Boreks are usually baked, but some varieties can be fried. They can be prepared in a large pan and cut into portions after baking, or as individual pastries. Borek is sometimes sprinkled with sesame or nigella seeds, and it can be served hot or cold.
Borek may have its origins in Persian or Turkish cuisine and may be one of its most significant and ancient elements of Turkish cuisine, having been developed in Central Asia before some westward migration to Anatolia in the late Middle Ages. Borek is a traditional component of Turkish cuisine, but it is also popular in the Balkans, Middle East, Central Asia, Eastern European, and Central European countries, and Northern Africa. There are many different types and shapes of borek, ranging from cigarette-shaped rolls to large trays.
