Top 5 Finland Foods & Drinks: A Delicious Guide

Thinking about a trip to Finland? That’s so cool, because it’s a land just overflowing with stunning scenery, very interesting traditions, and, get this, some seriously great food and drinks. That said, Finnish cuisine could be more about surviving harsh winters than, let’s say, wild experimentation. Still, the Finns have really become quite good at turning simple, locally sourced ingredients into wonderfully heartwarming dishes, very enjoyable drinks. In this guide, anyway, we’re gonna check out five absolute must-try foods and drinks that should definitely be on your radar.

1. Karelian Pasty (Karjalanpiirakka): A Savory Start

Starting things off with a classic, you should so check out the Karelian pasty. Like your basic open-faced pie, these pasties are really everywhere in Finland, almost staples at any cafe or market. That said, what makes them special is the super thin rye crust with a filling that tends to be either rice porridge or mashed potatoes, could be both! They’re also often topped with munavoi, basically an egg-and-butter spread. If you ask me, the Karjalanpiirakka is a brilliant little snack or even a light lunch option, pretty satisfying, too. Very tasty especially with a hot drink during the chillier Finnish months.

2. Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto): A Taste of the Sea

Alright, so moving onto something quite heartwarming, let’s look at Lohikeitto, which, of course, is just salmon soup. Like your ideal comfort food, that, it’s pretty common across Finland. Lohikeitto generally contains salmon fillets, new potatoes, leeks, plus lots of dill, very creamy broth, as well. The potatoes just give the broth some weight and, as I was saying, it fills you right up. Many locals swear that it’s an ideal remedy for, let’s say, gray days and is honestly wonderful following a day spent out in nature. Try it with some crusty rye bread and you might think it makes an even more delightful meal.

3. Reindeer Stew (Poronkäristys): A Wilderness Delight

For those with perhaps slightly more, um, ‘bold’ palates, there is always the Reindeer Stew, or Poronkäristys. Poronkäristys is usually made with thin cuts of reindeer meat cooked until tender, which just melt, and then served alongside mashed potatoes, lingonberries and pickled cucumbers. Some find reindeer meat a bit exotic and maybe not so good looking. You’re going to see the locals enjoying it for special occasions. Plus, for you, it’s perhaps one of the best approaches for you to understand traditional Sami culture, which is so intrinsically linked to the wild landscapes of Northern Finland.

4. Salmiakki (Salty Liquorice): An Acquired Taste

Alright, so time to switch gears entirely with something very polarising; so you will either enjoy Salmiakki or, like, not. Salmiakki tends to be salty liquorice flavored with ammonium chloride. Just warning you, so some newcomers just find it like you know, straight up medicinal or even like detergent-esque, as they say. That said, for Salmiakki enthusiasts, like myself, you see that odd flavor just kind of builds and gets better with every piece, a thing about it, honestly. You can also find it in things like ice cream and even alcoholic drinks. That said, this might be a ‘try it once and decide’ sort of food. It’s really big throughout the Nordic countries, apparently.

5. Cloudberry Liqueur (Lakka): A Sweet Sip of Lapland

To top things off with a great drink, why not just enjoy Lakka. That’s a liqueur made with cloudberries, that, by the way, happen to be rare golden berries which grow specifically in arctic wetlands. Usually described to you, if you happen to have never enjoyed it, as somewhere like a mixture of caramel and apricot, could be both?, Lakka carries that special, really unique flavor which you should just find quite appealing and intriguing, honestly. It can often just be sipped neat following dinner, like some after dinner wine or sherry. People also say it adds depth, very subtle, too, should you add it in cocktails, as well. If you are really just up for something special and distinctly Finnish, anyway, Lakka just might be your choice. Don’t miss it!

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