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Top Swedish Food and Drink

Yes, we know. Sweden equals meatballs – Köttbullar if you want to be precise – and sil (pickled herring). But that’s not all there is to Swedish cuisine and we’re here to prove any such assumption wrong! Like many countries, Sweden follows a traditional diet of meat, fish, and potatoes. However it’s their unique preparation methods and accompanying dishes that make such a dish a real Swedish platter. Here are some of our favorites; we hope you enjoy!

Savoury Dishes

Gravlax is thinly sliced, dill-cured salmon and can often be found on the Swedish smorgasbord, a buffet-style meal composed of both hot and cold dishes. Gubbröra is a common egg and anchovy salad. Kroppkakor are delicious potato dumplings and have been a staple of Swedish mealtimes for the past few centuries. Continuing on the potato theme, how about some raggmunk? Potato pancakes fried in butter and served with fried pork and lingonberries.

Gubbröra via Wikimedia / Wikimedia

Thursdays you’ll most likely be eating ärtsoppa och pannkakor (pea soup and pancakes) but another delicious meal option is the räksmörgås, an open-faced sandwich topped with prawn, sliced boiled egg, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. Knäckebröd (crispbread) is served alongside most main meals, as bread is such a staple in the Swedish diet. If you’re traveling to Sweden in early Autmn, prepare to eat Kräftor (crayfish) at a familiar kräftskivor (crayfish parties).

Photo_2 (51)Kroppkakor via Wikimedia / Wikimedia

Dessert

One typical Swedish dish that surely you already know about is the humble cinnamon bun. The Swedes are known for their sweet teeth, and we love them for that. Another sweet Swedish dish you are likely to find in winter is the humble semla, which is a simple cardamom-flavoured bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream. Our final sweet offering is the prinsesstårta (princess cake), which is a spongecake lined with jam and vanilla custard, covered with green marzipan, and topped with a pink sugar rose. It is normally served with whipped cream, so expect to have your full daily caloric intake in one dessert.

Screen Shot 2015-06-24 at 9.36.12 AMCinnamon buns via Flickr / Flickr

Drinks & Other Beverages

Coffee is a necessity for every Swede, or human in general as far as we can tell. Snaps (shots taken during a meal) are usually poured with aquavit, a caraway-spiced spirit. If it’s winter, warm yourself up with glögg, a delicious hot mulled wine. Starköl is the typical beer served in bars but there are, of course, many other brands offered. Alcohol is sold in the state-run Systembolaget, and you can also save money by seeking out the so called ‘after work’ – known more commonly to us as ‘happy hour’.

5200218267_2215c03778_o (2)Beer Sampler via Flickr / Flickr

As you can see, Swedish food is delicious and ranges in variety. But don’t take our word for it, plan your next holiday to Sweden and try these delicious dishes for yourself! Before you go, contact us about language courses in your city and find out more about the great course options in your area.