Classic Norwegian, or Nordic cuisine is based around staples of fish, meat and seasonal vegetables. Due to its strategic location by the Norwegian Sea, the freshest catch, such as the Norwegian salmon, are incorporated into traditional dishes as well as a speciality.
We’ve scoured the city of Oslo for the greatest food places to try their authentic cuisine and now we present to you a list of 8 beloved Norwegian delicacies and where to find them.
Smoked Salmon, also known as Røkt Laks
Salmon is hands down, the proudest staple of Nordic produce and cuisine. Half of the world’s farmed salmon is produced in Norway and 14 million meals of Norwegian Salmon are consumed in more than 150 markets around the world!
The most common and tastiest technique to prepare this salmon is by smoking it. Traditionally, the salmon used to be hung when smoked but in modern times, the salmon is laid down for the workers to smoke more at one time. This process of smoked salmon has been done for thousands of years and Norway did it the best! Get
Where to try Røkt Laks
There are many great places to eat smoked salmon, or Røkt Laks, in Oslo, depending on how you would like it to be. The Salmon, by its name, is one of the best salmon places and they offer salmon prepared in a variety of ways - raw, hot or cold smoked, gravlax and even sushi. The salmon cuts are delivered fresh every day from their own smokehouse and the fish is smoked in the traditional way of hanging!
If you want to purchase the smoked salmon itself, you can go to Fenaknoken, a shop that sells Norwegian specialities as well as Jackob’s smoked salmon in supermarkets like Meny and Ultra.
Norwegien Hot Dogs (Polse)
Norwegian love for hot dogs, or Polse, cannot be underestimated! It is estimated that Norwegiens eat about 100 of hot dogs a year per person! Norweign hot dogs, or Polse, is a boiled sausage usually served in a potato pancake and topped with simple ingredients like ketchup, mustard and relish. For a speciality Polse, brunost - a sweet, brown goat cheese - is added to the hot dogs for a perfect touch.
On National Day, 17th of May, it is a known tradition among the locals to eat a pølser in celebration of their country.
Where to try the Polse
Hot dog kiosks used to be all over Oslo as they were quick bites and great grabs before and after work or school. It was a staple of life, but sadly, this hot dog stand tradition is dying as more people get their hot dogs in convenience stores and supermarkets.
Currently there is only one Polser stand left in central Oslo and this stand belongs to Syverkiosken. As it is the “lasting standing stand”, Syverkiosken has become a symbol of Oslo’s past, and older generations of Osloites might recognize it by its former name: “Joss sin”. There are always crowds flocking to Syverkiosken for its hot dogs as well as the nostalgia it provides. The recipe behind their delicious hot dogs is a family secret and of course, all hopes for it to be passed down for generations so that this stand will remain standing as it is.
Address: Maridalsveien 45
Opening Hours: 9am-11.30pm Mon-Fri, from 11am Sat & Sun
Kjøttboller (Meatballs)
There is one dish that the Scandinavian countries do best and that is meatballs. Even though the better known meatball is Swedish meatballs, Norway equally has a big appetite and pride for their own version of meatball, the Kjøttboller.
According Norwegian tradition, the Kjøttboller was supposedly invented during the 18th century. Kjøttboller were also associated with the upper and wealthy classes, being made with a grinder – an expensive piece of kitchen equipment during that time.
Compared to the Sweddish version, Norwegian meatballs are typically larger and flatter and their seasoning differs as well. This dish is not complete with a serving of mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, lingonberry jam and rich, brown gravy...do i hear stomachs gumbling? Come and have a taste of these delightful meatballs and you will find that the Kjøttboller is as good as the meatballs from Sweden!
Where to try the Kjøttboller
Restaurant Schøder is one of the best restaurants in Oslo, serving traditional and classic Norweigian cuisines and it is even mentioned in Jo Nesbø’s fictional crime novels about Harry Hole, where this place is the favourite hangout for detective Harry Hole. Among their meat dishes like the schnitzel and sausage, the Kjøttboller is also a regular favourite among their customers. The dish is served in large portions with everything that needs to be there with the meatballs - the sour cabbage, boiled potatoes and lingonberry jam!
Address: Waldemar Thranes gate 8, 0171 Oslo, Norway
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 12am-11pm
Raspeballer (Potato Dumplings)
Raspeballer are traditional potato dumplings that are often served warmly as a side dish with salted or boiled meat, or as a main itself coupled with jam or spread. Originally made of grated potato mix and seasoning, the dumplings are revolutionised with many versions that incorporate other ingredients as well - salted and boiled pork, lamb meat, carrots or even sour cream.
klubber, Raspeballer or just Boller, this potato dumpling goes by many regional names. As simple as it looks, the Raspeballer are reminiscent of the traditional Norwegian lifestyle, where simple foods made from basic ingredients can easily satisfy and fill you for the day. It has its humble beginnings as well, dating as early as the 1800s where the potato was introduced to Norway as a cheaper alternative to the more expensive flour. The shift from flour-based dumpling to potato-based dumpling started from then on and till now, it remains as a mainstream dish loved by many!
Where to try the Raspeballer
Kaffistova is a long running restaurant that has been serving traditional Norwegian food for more than 100 years. First opened in 1901, this restaurant business has captured the hearts of many locals as well as foreign guests all over the world, from Japan to American tourists, that yearned to try the best of Nordic cuisine. Kaffistova focuses on Norwegian specialities such as Rømmegrøt ( sour cream porridge) and Boknafisk ( salted cod) and one of them is their renowned Raspeballer. This dish is served in generous portions, with the smooth consistency of the raspberries and lamb slices that fall off the bone!
Address: Rosenkrantz' gate 8, 0159 Oslo, Norway
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am-6pm, closed on Sundays.
Check out their website for more!
Pinnekjøtt
The Pinnejjøtt is a seasonal Christmas dish to have on dinner tables and consists of ribs of lamb along with mashed kohlrabi. A tradition that emerges from a time of harsh winter, preservation as well as festivities, this meal is full of flavour from the saltiness and richness of the ribs blending perfectly with the sweetness of the kohlrabi.
For preparation, the meat is first soaked in water to remove the excessive salt and then salted, dried and sometimes smoked. It is then steamed over birch branches until the meat is tender and soft and comes off the bone easily.
Where to try the Pinnekjøtt
As this is a very hearty and rich dish as well as it takes a great deal of time to cook through , this is not often in many restaurants or cafes but there are some places that do this often and with skill.
When December comes, Sofie’s is one of the best places to get traditional Christmas dishes such as ribbe (steamed pork ribs) and lutefisk (whitefish soaked in lye) and none other than the Pinnekjøtt. Although a little far from the Oslo city center, it is worth a trip down for these delicious food and excellent service!
Address: Sofies gate 15, 0170 Oslo, Norway
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 3-9pm
Check out their website for more!
Fiskesuppe (Norwegian Fish Soup)
Being the world’s greatest seafood port, what is better than to create a soup from the finest fishes ever? This is what the Norwegians did and Fiskesuppe is one of the tastiest traditional dishes ever. The Fiskesuppe is a great, comforting dish to eat in Norway on a cold winter day or a rainy summer to warm you up. There are many versions of the Fiskesuppe and one common way to prepare this dish is with cod, mussels, vegetables and herbs cooked in a rich broth of butter, milk and cream to produce a creamy texture.
The Fiskesuppe is native to Norwegian coastal areas where the catch is fresh but it is considered as a national speciality to be enjoyed by all. The dish is usually accompanied with slices of toasted bread or a drizzle of lemon juice over the soup for a little tanginess.
Where to try the Fiskesuppe
With over a thousand reviews by satisfied customers, Fiskeriet Youngstorget is a high-in-demand seafood restaurant that serves top notch dishes of the best catch! Their fish and chips are the popular dish in this place but another show-stopper speciality is their creamy Fiskesuppe as well!
Address: Youngstorget 2b, Oslo 0181, Norway
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 11am-8pm, Saturday, 12pm-8pm, Closed on Sundays
Check out their website for more!
Norwegian Waffles
Searching for delicious breakfast options? You must try Norwegian waffles, a favourite wake-me-up treat among the locals. Norwegian waffles are eggy with a hint of sweetness and vanilla, and they are served in the heart shapes. The three essentials of making a Norwegian waffle is that they must be thin, heart-shaped and softer than any classic pancakes.
The way how Norwegians enjoy their waffles is uniquely different - they do not eat them as a dessert with whipped cream but a meal itself, in fact, served with a cup of afternoon coffee. The waffles are usually sweet as well instead of savoury and the best way to eat this is to top it with any milk product - yoghurt, cream, buttermilk or even sour cream!
Where to try Norweigian Waffles
Haralds vaffel is a waffle café built from love and passion by Jonathan Larsson. Originally from Sweden, he was so captivated by the waffle tradition after moving to Oslo that he started his mini waffle business from his bedroom window!
The love for waffles grew and so did his dreams. In 2013, he finally opened his own cafe. His creative menu includes waffles with tasty ingredients like blue cheese, sausage, coconut and even vegan and gluten free waffles! Come to Haralds Vaffel and also check out his personal favourite - waffles with butter, sour cream, and the classic Norwegian sweet brown cheese.
Address: Olaf Ryes Plass 3 , 0552 Oslo
Check out his website for his story and more!
Kaviar in a tube!
Can you believe it - in Norway, you can actually have Kaviar in a tube (as well as various flavours of soft cheese spread). It is a genius way of making caviar travel-friendly and accessible. Want an extra something to your bruschetta? Just whip out your Kaviar and generously spread it across your toast for a finishing touch! These packages are best for train rides, mountain hikes, camping or any trip you plan.
Norwegiens make their sandwiches open-faced to add whatever meats and sauces they want and with Kaviar, it has just makes sandwiching even more exciting. This product is made by sugar-salting smoked cod. The design and the idea to even store caviar in an easy-to-use item still astonishes me till today and to you that is going to Oslo, you have to buy this life-changing Kaviar spread!
From Christmas dinners to appetising fish soups, it is no wonder why Norwegian cuisine is the comfort food treasured by the locals. You can’t deny that Norway indeed has so many delicious dishes waiting for you to try!
