The people of Sweden like simple meals, basically prepared from the freshest ingredients. Food in Sweden is very much similar in many ways to the cuisine of the other Nordic nations. Potatoes play a big role in the country’s national diet. It is observed that there are many particular dishes and eating habits that play a large role in the life of the Swedish people. Sweden gets a good supply of excellent fish and seafood as well as some of the worlds finest freshwater fish from the many lakes spread throughout the country, thanks to the Northern seas bordering it. If one is visiting the country during the month of August, then one must make it a point not to miss out on the Kraftskivor, also known as Crayfish which becomes the national dish at this time of the year.
The food from Sweden has some of the most famous of Swedish dishes such as Smorgasbord, which is a sort of Swedish Tapas. This dish is served mostly at lunch, and only at special occasions. Smorgasbord is a selection of anywhere between 40 and 100 dishes ranging from smoked herring through to Reindeer. Another traditional favorite is Surstromming, fermented herrings. One of the peculiarities of the food in Sweden is the Thursday diet of yellow pea soup followed by pancakes. This comes from the times past when Thursday was the day that the maid had off, this tradition is something that flourishes throughout Sweden. Then there’s Kottbullar, Swedish meatballs, another very traditional Swedish dish and something worth trying during your stay.
The food in Sweden served in the Swedish restaurants is a vital part of the "Modern European" food trend towards knowledgeable, innovative cooking, which it has borrowed from the best of a variety of European traditions. These borrowed traditions are proficiently mixed together with local raw ingredients and traditional dishes. In the recent years Stockholm has become one of Europe’s hottest restaurant towns. One finds the top-class restaurants in Sweden fairly expensive, but even the smallest towns have reasonably priced self-service restaurants and grill bars. Of the many restaurants all over the country offer a special dish of the day at a reduced price which includes main course, salad, soft drink and coffee. Waiter service is common although there are many self-service snack bars. |
