The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Icelandic Foods. If you manage to be in an Icelandic restaurant or you are visiting Iceland, I recommend the following:
1. Pylsur
It is a variation on the well-known American hot dog. This dish can be eaten at any time of the year and simply consists of a piece of bread stuffed with a sausage, onion pieces and various unusual condiments such as apple ketchup and remolaði. Remolaði is an Icelandic sauce made from mayonnaise, vinegar, onion and some pickles. The meat in the sausages can be of three different types: lamb, pork or beef.
2. Harðfiskur
This dish is made with small, thin pieces of dried fish, which can be cod, whiting or even halibut. The impressive thing is that it is prepared using one of the oldest preservation techniques in history. For this, the water is extracted from the fish by evaporation and dried in the sun for a couple of months. The dish is one of Iceland’s most recognisable foods because it can be found in any restaurant or market on the island regardless of the time of year.
3. Rúgbrauð
This dark, sweet-tasting rye bread is very popular in Iceland. It is traditionally baked in a pot placed in the embers of a dying fire and then covered with grass overnight, although it can also be baked by burying it next to a hot spring (in which case it is called ‘hverabrauð’). It is usually served with fish dishes, such as plokkfiskur.
4. Whale Meat
Whales are part of Icelandic food. Since Viking times, it has been one of the most popular dishes. However, the younger generation does not eat it as much, and the debate is raging in society. It is most commonly seen in restaurants in Reykjavik and Husavik.
5. Kjötsupa
One of Iceland’s most iconic traditional dishes is kjötsúpa. This is a lamb soup with various herbs and vegetables. Oats, barley and even brown rice are usually added for a creamier texture, and the dish can be served with bread. On the other hand, kjötsúpa can be eaten all year round, but is ideal to keep you warm during the cold winter.
6. Plokkfiskur
Plokkfiskur, which literally means “plucked fish”, is a hearty fish stew. A popular Icelandic meal, it is usually made with cod, haddock or halibut, along with potatoes, onions, butter and milk. It is served with a side of dark rye bread and a little butter.
7. Hákarl
Hárkal, or fermented shark, is one of those traditional dishes that are now almost only eaten by tourists. Greenland shark is poisonous when fresh, so it is buried in a hole to ferment for 6-12 weeks before being eaten.
8. Hrútspungar
Lamb testicles cooked in sour milk and served in blocks or thick slices. This typical Icelandic food is very common in every household. In addition, there is a festival held once a year called Þorrablótt where only these parts of the lamb are eaten. And the lucky ones will get this dish.
9. Svið
This is one of the main and most traditional recipes for Icelandic dishes. The dish consists of cooking a sheep’s head that has been cut in half and the fur and brains have been removed. This recipe is usually accompanied by mashed potatoes and the eyes of the animal, which are considered the best part of the animal, are kept. This meal is part of the buffet that is prepared for the Þorrablót celebration, so it is mostly eaten in mid-winter.
10. Skyr
Icelandic skyr is very similar to the tangy Greek yoghurt. There are many different flavours such as blueberry, strawberry, banana and vanilla. It is placed on top of graham cracker base to make a skyr cake, which is like a low-fat cheesecake, often topped with blueberries.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.