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Five odd Norwegian delicacies you might think twice about trying

Nothing brings people together like a good dinner and if a traditional Norwegian meal doesn’t kill you, it might just make you a little bit happier.

Published: 20 April 2017 15:50 CEST
Five odd Norwegian delicacies you might think twice about trying
Photo: Ole Gunnar Onsøien/NTB scanpix

After Norway came top of the World Happiness Report 2017, Norwegian consumer magazine Forbrukerliv got to wondering about who the Norwegians really are.

One thing that definitely sets the Norwegians apart is their diet, says Forbrukerliv, which has created a top five list of delicacies that it says might be one of the reasons behind Norwegian happiness.

Most of the dishes date back to age of the Vikings and will probably be considered a little bizarre to people outside Norway – you be the judge.

But if you need a happiness boost, then perhaps it is time to try five traditional (and rather strange) dishes that the people of the world’s happiest country enjoy.

1. Lutefisk

According to an old tale, half of the Norwegians who immigrated to America left Norway in hope of escaping the Lutefisk, the other half left to share the recipe.

Lutefisk is a dried cod that has been soaked in a lye solution for several days in order to rehydrate the fish, which is left with a very distinct odour. 

After soaking, the cod is rinsed and afterwards it is baked or boiled and then served with salt, pepper and butter. In many homes, the Lutefisk is the Norwegian equivalent of a Christmas Turkey – only with a slightly different aroma.

2. Syltelabb

Syltelabb is a traditional Norwegian dish and has been considered a delicacy since the first half of the 1900s. Back then the dish was typically served on Sundays and at Christmas time. Today, the delicacy is mainly eaten around Christmas.

The dish consists of boiled, salted and cured pig’s trotter and is traditionally served with beet-root, mustard and fresh bread. Syltelabb is very salty and is therefore often served with at Christmas ale or a strong spirit called aquavit to tone down the saltiness (or the taste).

3. Smalahove

Smalahove is another traditional Norwegian dish that is usually eaten around Christmas and consists of… a sheep’s head.

The first step in preparing the dish is to remove the brain of the sheep and then torch the fleece and skin. Afterwards, the head is salted and dried and then boiled for 3 hours. After boiling, the head is ready to be served with mashed potatoes and turnips.

In some regions, the brain is left inside the skull while being prepared. After cooking, the brain is then scooped out and eaten with a spoon…

The origins of this, to some, rather bizarre dish are still largely unknown. However, in earlier days the wealthier part of the Norwegian population enjoyed the fine parts of the sheep, while the not so rich were left with the not so fine pieces of meat – including the head.

In order to make it more edible, the head was prepared in various ways with whatever was available and somewhere along the way it turned into Smalahove as we know it today.

Today, Smalahove is no longer considered a poor man’s dish, but rather a delicacy.

4. Værballer

Ram’s testicles… Do you prefer them boiled or fried? Værballer is yet another dish that might make you think twice about tasting local specialities in Norway.

Even though it is a traditional Norwegian dish that goes back many years, Værballer is today mainly enjoyed only by the most dedicated food enthusiasts or as an aperitif to whet the appetite…

5. Elgtunge

In its traditional form, Norwegian cuisine is largely based on ingredients readily available in nature, which includes elk.

Throughout history, elk has been considered a great delicacy and a highly appreciated food source in Norway. The Norwegians love to eat elk and all parts of it – almost.

A very treasured part of the elk is the tongue, which Norwegians particularly like fried or boiled and with a bit of blueberry or parsley sauce. Another tasty part is the moose heart, which is considered a true delicacy when it has been smoked.

This list has been republished with the permission of Forbrukerliv.no. The original infographic can be found here.

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FOOD AND DRINK

Five dishes that every newcomer to Norway should try at least once

Even though Norway doesn't enjoy the culinary rep of other countries, it's home to plenty of hearty dishes and world-class produce. There are a number of fantastic dishes newcomers should try.

Published: 15 April 2024 16:11 CEST
Five dishes that every newcomer to Norway should try at least once

Norway’s culinary heritage offers a treasure trove of traditional delicacies waiting to be discovered.

Just as its landscape inspires a sense of wonder, so too do Norway’s time-honoured dishes, each telling a unique story of the country’s history, culture, and connection to the land and sea.

READ MORE: The Norwegian foods considered to be the best in the world

The cuisine reflects the country’s deep-rooted ties to its natural surroundings, from hearty stews made with locally sourced lamb and cabbage to exciting fish soups brimming with freshly caught seafood.

For newcomers eager to explore Norway’s culinary landscape, there are several must-try delicacies that The Local deems bucket-list worthy (we’re keeping it mainstream and steering clear of more extreme dishes such as smalahove, a sheep’s head dish, or rakfisk, a fermented fish dish).

Plukkfisk

A family enjoys plukkfisk at the Pingvinen bistro in Bergen, western Norway. Photo by: Robin-Ivan Capar / The Local Norway

Plukkfisk

A comforting, delicious, and filling dish, plukkfisk features cod or other white fish mashed into potatoes. In western Norway, it’s usually served with bacon, pickled vegetables, flatbread, and butter.

This dish holds a special place in Norwegian culinary tradition, as it pays homage to the resourcefulness of past generations.

In times past waste was not an option, plukkfisk emerged as a clever solution to utilise every bit of food available.

Leftover fish scraps from the previous day’s catch or meal were combined with mashed potatoes, ensuring that nothing went to waste.

This frugal approach to cooking reflected the practicality of Norwegian culture and underscored the importance of making the most of what nature provided.

Furthermore, potatoes and root vegetables – key elements of the dish – are fundamental staples in Norwegian cuisine, serving as essential sources of sustenance in a land where agricultural conditions above ground can be inhospitable.

You can try this dish in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, in several establishments that offer traditional cuisine, such as Pingvinen, close to the city centre. As of the time of writing, they offer the dish for 249 kroner.

Farikal pot

Fårikål is usually cooked in a large and deep pot and served with boiled potatoes. Photo by Frank Zhang on Unsplash

Fårikål

Considered one of Norway’s national dishes (voted as such on two occasions, the last time being in 2014), fårikål, a slow-cooked stew made with lamb or sheep meat, cabbage, and peppercorns, is a winter favourite in many Norwegian households.

The dish is usually cooked for hours and served with potatoes (boiled in their skins).

Autumn holds a special significance for fårikål enthusiasts, as it marks the traditional season for enjoying this dish. The last Thursday in September in particular is related to fårikål, as it aligns with the peak time for lamb slaughter.

This seasonal connection is rooted in Norway’s sheep farming traditions, where lambs born in the spring are ready for slaughter by autumn, making fresh lamb meat abundant.

The dish’s origins are somewhat uncertain, but it is believed to have been influenced by Danish culinary traditions.

Historically, fårikål likely gained popularity during the 20th century, coinciding with the availability of head cabbage and the tradition of using fresh meat.

Reindeer

A grilled reindeer fillet with brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and lingonberries served at Byrggeloftet og Stuene in Bergen. Photo by: Robin-Ivan Capar / The Local Norway

Reindeer steak

For a taste of Norwegian wilderness, many people opt to indulge in reindeer steak, a tender and flavorful meat usually served with lingonberry sauce, potatoes or parsnip puree, and perhaps a side of roasted vegetables or mushrooms.

This pricey delicacy embodies the rugged spirit of Norway’s northern regions, and it’s often found on restaurant menus during the Christmas season.

READ MORE: The traditional Norwegian Christmas foods you should know about

The dish is likely to cost anywhere from 400 to 650 kroner, and you’ll usually be offered red wine to accompany your meal.

In late November 2023, a grilled reindeer fillet with Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and lingonberries cost 525 kroner at the higher-end traditional restaurant Byrggeloftet og Stuene, located along Bergen’s harbour.

Looking beyond the price tag, if you’re big on steaks and meat in general, it’s well worth splurging and trying reindeer at least once, especially if it’s for a festive occasion (such as julebord gatherings and parties that take place throughout Norway in December).

READ MORE: ‘Julebord’: Norway’s Christmas party culture explained

Fiskesuppe

A plate of Bergen fish soup at the Enhjørningen seafood restauran in Bergen. Photo by: Robin-Ivan Capar / The Local Norway

Bergensk fiskesuppe

Hailing from the coastal city of Bergen, this creamy fish soup is made with a variety of locally caught seafood, including cod or pollock, salmon, and shellfish, and simmered in a rich fish broth with vegetables (carrots, leeks, and others) and herbs.

Its signature taste comes from the crème fraîche or sour cream, white wine vinegar, and white vine.

Both Byrggeloftet og Stuene and Enhjørningen are renowned for their Bergen fish soup, so visiting any of the two to try this dish is a safe bet.

Speaking from personal experience, this is the first Norwegian dish that really rocked my tastebuds after I moved to the country. The unique blend of fish, cream, and vinegar pairs incredibly well, creating a taste combo that was completely new and original to my Mediterranean diet-conditioned palate.

Another upside to preparing this soup yourself is that you can have it done really fast – it usually takes me around 45 minutes to prepare a pot of Bergen fish soup that can feed 4 to 5 people.

Pop a few baguettes in the oven to warm up while you put the finishing touches on the dish. Once they’re ready, slather them with salted butter and serve them alongside the soup.

Gravlaks

Gravlaks on offer at the Bergen Fish Market in the city centre. Photo by: Robin-Ivan Capar / The Local Norway

Gravlaks

Last but not least, we recommend gravlaks, a Scandinavian speciality of cured salmon marinated in a mixture of sugar, salt, and dill.

The term gravlaks originates from grav (dig) and laks (salmon), referencing the practice of burying salmon in the ground, as in the medieval era, gravlaks was prepared by fishermen who preserved salmon by salting and fermenting it, burying the fish in the sand above the high water line.

EXPLAINED: Why Norway is so obsessed with salmon

Today, fermentation is rarely used in gravlaks production. Instead, the salmon is typically marinated for a few days.

During this process, the moisture from the salmon transforms the dry marinade into a concentrated brine.

While this method can be applied to other fish, salmon remains the most popular choice.

Usually, it is sliced thinly and served on rye bread or with potatoes.

You’ll be able to easily find gravlaks in most Norwegian cities and towns – on fish markets, in most fishmonger isles at the higher end grocery stores such as Meny, and even as a meal staple in hospital cafeterias that prepare food for women who have just given birth.

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