Sample traditional Nordic delicacies like a true Viking here in Iceland. These delicacies are easily attainable and you can find them all in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Return home and brag about all the exotic food you’ve tasted on your trip!
Skyr
To begin with, try a Nordic yoghurt—skyr (pronounced as “ski-er,” like how you would call a person who skis) for breakfast or a midday snack. It tastes similar to most regular Greek yoghurt, but its texture is dense and creamy, imagine eating velvety cream cheese out of a tub. Skyr has a higher protein content and lesser sugar compared to the regular yoghurt. This traditional cultured dairy product makes a great snack at any time of the day. Dairy fridges in local supermarkets retail skyr from 125 ISK (US$1). You can also find Siggi’s skyr in supermarkets—such as Cold Storage—in Singapore.
Fish Stews
One of the local and tourist favourites is Plokkfiskur (pronounced as “plock-fis-kuur”). A traditional creamy fish stew essentially made out of fish, potatoes, onions and milk, its taste resembles the clam chowder that you can get back home. Locals would serve this soft and creamy stew in a bread bowl or douse a plate of fluffy basmati rice with all that goodness.Visit Salka Valka for a hearty portion of this comforting stew (2,400 ISK/US$18) that will warm you up in no time. This must-try dish is easily found at most restaurants in the town of Reykjavik as well.
Fermented Shark Meat
Much like the dried codfish snack we had in our childhood, Iceland has its version of the traditional fish jerky. Hákarl (pronounced as “hau-kart”) is a gutted and cleaned Greenland shark that is left to ferment under a bed of sand and stones and left to dry. This tedious process lasting several months was believed to come from the time of the Vikings. Visit Café Loki right at the heart of Reykjavik and order the Icelandic Braveheart (1,900 ISK / US$14) sampler from the menu which consists of a shot of local Brennivín liquor, rye bread, dried fish and a portion of fermented shark. First-timers to Iceland’s national dish are advised to try the cubes of meat with traditional Icelandic rye bread before consuming it on its own. Expect pungent odour and extreme saltiness from the fermented shark. Down a shot of Brennivín to neutralise the flavours while you’re at it!
Whale and Puffin Meat
Book a whale watching tour and learn about Iceland’s marine wildlife and local birdlife from your nature expert guide. Gaze in awe at the beautiful surroundings as you listen to interesting facts like how puffins (a seabird) are one of the primary sources of protein in Iceland. Puffins taste briny and fishy. On the contrary, whales taste gamier. Locals smoke or broil the meat to make it palatable. Visit Íslenski Barinn for dinner, a local restaurant and bar that serves a plethora of exotic meats, from smoked puffin and fin whales to horse heads and reindeer burgers. Order the Fin Whale Crumpet and Puffin in a Jar (1,690 ISK/US$12.50) paired with Icelandic blueberries, skyr, pickled red onions and herbs.
Try the Local Brew
While you are at Íslenski Barinn, grab a pint of crisp local beer (from 900ISK/US$6.50) to wash it all down nicely. Fun fact: Beer was once banned in Iceland and it was only in the early 2000s that their first microbrewery opened. Ever since the reinstatement, the beer culture in this Nordic town has boomed and evolved rapidly. There is even a dedicated “Beer Day Festival” on the 1st of March! Local popular beer brands include Kaldi, Úlfrún and Einstök. Supermarkets in Iceland are not allowed to sell alcohol. Head to one of the state-owned liquor stores like Vínbúðin or the many restaurants in town who are licensed to sell them.
Note: Tourists may find the peculiar traditional Icelandic food overwhelming. Sample these delicacies in the spirit of adventure and bear in mind that the animals mentioned are not endangered. Icelanders' source of protein comes from staples like horses, puffin and fish that are from nature or born and bred for consumption.
