Four Classic Norwegian Dishes To Put on Your Food List‍

Norway, one of the world’s most beloved treasures, is a country that has it all. Breathtaking scenery and abundant beauty all around make this Scandinavian country a must-see destination. When it comes to what is known as Norwegian cuisine, though, you’d be surprised to see how much of it has stood the test of time - much of the food you’ll enjoy during your Norwegian adventure is the same that Norwegian people throughout history enjoyed as well. While much of the cuisine has become modernized in recent years, the dishes we’re going to share with you today hold the true history and wonder that Norway is admired for. Take a journey with us as we explore five classic Norwegian dishes you should add to your food list (and how you can make them at home!).

Brunost

Known as brown cheese, you can’t enjoy Norwegian cuisine without trying Brunost (at least once). A tan-colored whey cheese with a taste reminiscent of caramel, Brunost is eaten all day by the Norwegian people who enjoy it. Its polarizing taste leaves some never wanting to try it again, while bringing others back for another helping. Interestingly, this “cheese” is not actually cheese; instead, the whey from goat’s milk is boiled, and the water is evaporated, allowing the sugars to caramelize. Once this process is complete, the leftover whey is cooled and packaged, leaving you with Brunost!

You can find a few varieties of Brunost within Norway (as well as at your local store or online) including the “original brown cheese” known as Gudbrandsdalsost. This cheese is made of a mix of goat’s and cow’s milk, leaving a much richer taste that many enjoy. If you’re looking for a lighter flavor, Brunost is also made with only cow’s milk, so you’ll likely want to opt for that version if the original version is a bit too heavy. Now you might be thinking, how in the world does one eat Brunost? Well, there are various ways to do so, including eating on toast, crackers, or with the infamous Norwegian Vafler (we’ll get to that in a bit)!

Fårikål

Fårikål, Norway’s national dish, captivates the true essence of all that makes Norway remarkable. This dish is hearty and delicious, made of lamb and cabbage, perfect for the cold and snowy Norwegian winters. Because of the amount of sheep and lamb the country has (in fact, there is one sheep for every six people in Norway), this dish has become a true staple in the diet of Norwegian people and even has a day named after it! Additionally, Norway’s humble past shows that many people also relied on cabbage, a staple crop that has provided sustenance for many throughout Norway’s history. 

While it may seem like a complicated dish to make, preparing Fårikål at home is quite simple. You’ll need some cabbage, lamb, salt, black peppercorns, and potatoes. Simply chop all the cabbage and brown lamb pieces in butter on all sides. Then take a pot and layer all of the lamb and cabbage in layers into the pot, adding peppercorns and salt during the process. Finally, fill the pot with water and let simmer on low-to-medium heat for three hours or so until the meat and cabbage become soft. It’s recommended to enjoy this with cider or beer and with family and friends for the ultimate Norwegian experience!

Fiskeboller

When it comes to seafood, Norway is one of the top in the world. Norway’s immense access to water, thanks to its long coastlines and plentiful fjords, makes it one of the richest sources of delicious salmon, cod, king crab, prawns, mackerel, and more. If there is one traditional dish that’s worth trying, though, it is Fiskeboller. Fiskeboller, also known as fish balls, is made of minced white fish, flour, eggs, and milk. Typically served with a white sauce with vegetables and potatoes, Fiskeboller is a dish that has been enjoyed by Norwegian people for over a century and is one that so many still find comfort in eating. If you’re looking to make this at home, you can find cans of Fiskeboller online or at specialty stores, depending on your location! 

Vafler

Moving on to the sweeter side of the Norwegian cuisine, you can’t enjoy a trip to Norway without trying the wonderful Vafler. These thin, decadent waffles have a distinct heart shape and make for the perfect Scandinavian breakfast (or a nice tea time snack!). Norwegian waffles are typically flavored with cardamom and vanilla and eaten with sour cream, Brunost, and jam, or even alone with some whipped cream. 

These waffles are quite easy to make; all you will need is some butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream, whole milk, canola oil, baking powder, ground cardamom, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, and a heart shaped waffle maker. Simply heat the waffle iron and mix the batter together (melted butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream, water, oil, milk, baking powder, and cardamom), and pour about a half cup of batter into the waffle iron. Finally, cook for about one minute per waffle and serve at hot or room temperature with your choice of toppings!