Culinary Delights: Foodie’s Guide to Scandinavia

When thoughts turn to Scandinavia, picturesque snowy landscapes, dark forests teeming with wildlife, majestic glaciers, and rugged mountains come to mind. The region’s rich history intertwines with Norse myths and legends of Thor, Odin, and Loki, as well as the captivating voyages of seafaring Viking culture. 

Modern Scandinavia evokes images of sleek minimalist design, remarkable creativity, and the allure of saunas and cold plunges. However, Scandinavia extends far beyond these familiar perceptions. In the realm of culinary delights, the region offers an astonishingly diverse array of experiences for food enthusiasts. From the cherished traditional delicacies of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway to the revolutionary New Nordic cuisine, Scandinavia’s culinary scene is a treasure trove of flavors waiting to be explored.

If you are looking for a vacation that combines adventure with gourmet dining, pack your bags for Scandinavia! Whether you check the cruise itineraries sailing from Southampton to the Norwegian fjords or fly into Copenhagen and explore by train, you are guaranteed a delicious and exciting journey. Here are a few of the must-experience foodie delights that Scandinavia has to offer. 

Smørrebrød (Denmark)

Smørrebrød is the quintessential Danish dish, and one that has had enough cultural reach to make its way into the English language as ‘smorgasbord’! These open-faced sandwiches are topped with a diverse variety of ingredients, including pickled herring, smoked salmon, roast beef, and cheese. They are invariably fresh, zingy, and the combination of mouthwatering protein with dense, rich rye bread is a fantastic contrast of flavors and textures that showcases the very best of Danish produce. 

Gravlax, Photo courtesy of thespruceeats.com

Gravlax (Sweden)

Often mistaken for smoked salmon, this traditional Swedish salmon dish isn’t smoked at all, but rather ‘cured’ with a mixture of salt, sugar, and dill. The cure often includes gin or vodka, and can also have various herbs, spices, and even beetroot for added flavor and aesthetics. Gravlax tends to be served with a mustard sauce and pickles, on crispbread or rye bread. 

Norwegian Salmon (Norway)

Salmon is a favorite across Scandinavia, but in Norway it is the lynchpin of the cuisine. Famous for the quality of its fish, Norwegian salmon is rich in flavor and tender in texture, and is usually served grilled with heavy, creamy sauces, roast vegetables, and boiled potatoes. Salmon pudding is a particular delicacy, a sort of lasagne of layers of salmon, cream, and gratin potatoes that is a luxurious delight.

Rødgrød med Fløde, Photo courtesy of meyers.dk

Rødgrød med Fløde (Denmark)

Rødgrød med fløde is a mouthwatering way to end a meal in Scandinavia. It takes the fresh, tangy tastes of strawberries, raspberries, and red currants and adds them to thickened cornstarch, sugar, and whipped cream. It is both refreshing and indulgent, and is the perfect accompaniment to the fresh flavors of Scandinavian food. 

Pytt i Panna, Photo courtesy of skandihome.com

Pytt i Panna (Sweden)

Pytt y pane directly translates as ‘pieces in a pan’ and is one of the greatest ways to eat leftovers imaginable. Originally conceived as a way to use up the bits left over from previous meals, pytt i panna combines potatoes, onions, andchopped meat like sausage, ham, or meatballs, pan fried and served with a fried egg on top as well as a variety of pickles.

Danish Pastries (Denmark)

Finally, no trip to Scandinavia would be complete without an exploration of the wonderful baking culture of the region. Danish pastries are the most famous, and go far beyond the raisin-filled swirls available back home. From almond-filled twists to scrumptious cinnamon or cardamom rolls, a pastry is the perfect companion to a cup of coffee and completes the Swedish concept of ‘fika’ for the perfect morning or afternoon treat. 

Feature Photo by Anastacia Dvi on Unsplash