Top 5 Norway Food & Drink: Must-Try Norwegian Cuisine

Thinking of checking out Norway and curious about the local eats? Well, Norway’s culinary scene is something, a blend of down-to-earth goodness and unexpected flavors. From fish that’s been hanging around for months to sweets that’ll make you wanna dance, there’s quite a bit to discover. This list has some cool insight to those looking at experiencing a yummy trip!

1. Lutefisk: A Curious Culinary Adventure

Lutefisk, that’s something folks either love or kind of run from! That is, it’s fish that’s been treated with lye. In effect, it turns into this wobbly, gelatinous thing. It might seem very weird, yet for many Norwegians, specially during the holidays, it’s kinda a tradition, it’s like a must-eat deal. It has a unique look, the taste is something! You will probably find yourself thinking it has subtle, almost clean flavor, then people load it up with different stuff, things like bacon, peas, mustard, whatever they’re in the mood for. Lutefisk actually needs a bit of getting used to, still once you do? Maybe, just maybe, you will become one of those who simply adore it. It might become your fav! The making has quite a bit, the preservation is super historic. It makes for just an interesting eat!

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Check Availability)

2. Smalahove: A Head-Turning Dish

Okay, Smalahove! It means “sheep’s head”. Smalahove is actually a Norwegian traditional dish that, yeah, features a sheep’s head, it’s often singed, smoked, dried, and then, to top it off, either steamed or boiled. It seems, kinda intense right? Eating it is something of an event. People actually start with the ears and eyes, and then people move through to the rest. Certain people actually think that the fat from around the eyes? That’s the yummiest thing. Very traditional food it actually is mostly consumed around Christmastime. This really is not for the faint of heart. Yet it gives you such a fantastic glimpse to traditional Norwegian food ways, and it shows the respect people have when making use of everything of an animal.

Read our full review: Smalahove Full Review and Details

3. Aquavit: The Water of Life

Then, Norway’s special drink? That’d be Aquavit, “water of life”. Distilled liquor using caraway or dill, maybe both. So Norwegians are quite in love with it, they are very into Aquavit. Always present in celebrations, holiday meals, you can be sure it will come along with those, and of course, there are very many local kinds. What is special about Norwegian Aquavit, is the aging of the spirits in sherry casks when ships travel all over the world. What makes it distinctive tasting? As the ship does its rocking and rolling, with the shift in temps, you will end up extracting distinctive flavors out of that oak. Taste the history of Norway? In one glass you do!

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Check Availability)

4. Brown Cheese (Brunost): Sweet and Savory

Brunost, brown cheese! It’s maybe kinda unusual if you aren’t local. It actually tastes like something between fudge and caramel! A sweet, very a bit tangy, cheesy stuff, made from whey, cream, plus milk, so boiled all down ’til caramelized. Folks actually have it with waffles, crackers, and with open-faced sandwiches, too. A very cool treat it truly is and, basically, it captures Norwegian cuisine: kind of very unique. It is something that just feels extremely familiar, like childhood snack. And then its flavors? They surprise you.

Read our full review: Brown Cheese Full Review and Details

5. Krumkake: A Delicate Delight

Looking for dessert? Krumkake has you covered! What that is is delicate, very wafer-thin cookie which gets rolled up to be cones, made by patterned iron. Somewhat like a waffle iron, really, though special design makes a very crisp and just melt-in-the-mouth kind of feel. Flavors? Usually they feature cardamom; that spice brings warm bit! People would eat krumkake just as they are, top them with cream, maybe fruit. Festive dessert! That’s something I associate to holiday. It captures Norwegian food ways and approach that’s delicate and super special!

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Check Availability)