Finnish cuisine celebrates tradition. It celebrates using ingredients that are fresh and that come from the local forests, waterways and fields. Dishes tend to be on the healthier side with a focus on vegetables, fish and grains. Here are 10 typical foods you need to try in Finland.

1 – Karjalanpiiraka (Karelian pie)

Karjalanpiirakka is a Finnish pastry made up of a thin rye crust that wraps around a variety of different fillings. Traditionally it is formed into an oval shape with the filling exposed from the top. The filling can consist of rice porridge or mashed potato. After it is baked, each piece is dipped into melted butter and finished with munavoi, a creamy butter and egg spread.

2 – Ruisleipä (Rye Bread)

Ruisleipä, Finland’s rye bread is made from 100% rye flour and comes in a variety of shapes. They can be found in sandwich style rounds or larger whole loaves in a rectangular or rounded shape. Most ruisleipä sandwiches are eaten open faced and topped with ingredients such as butter, cheese, cucumber, cold meats or cured salmon.  

3 – Kalakeitto (Salmon soup)

Kalakeitto is a fish soup that consists of melt in your mouth chunks of salmon and earthy vegetables that soak amongst a buttery, rich fish broth. Potatoes, onions, leeks and carrots are the most common vegetables found in Kalakeitto. The most common fish used in this recipe is salmon, however other varieties of fish can also be used including rainbow trout, vendace or pike. Cream and butter are traditionally mixed into the soup and then seasoned with dill, bay leaves, salt, pepper and allspice.

4 – Poronkaristys (Sauteed reindeer)

This dish is a must try for everyone visiting Finland. The reindeer meat is thinly sliced, spiced with salt and pepper and then sautéed with onions in butter. Beer or fish stock is added and is left to simmer until the reindeer meat becomes tender. It is traditionally served on a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes topped with lingonberry jam and a side of pickled cucumbers.

5 – Salmiakki (Salty liquorice)

Liquorice lovers are in for a real treat and those who aren’t fans are in for an authentic Finnish culinary experience! Salmiakki is a unique black liquorice that has been spiced with ammonium chloride to give it a salty flavour. It can be eaten alone as a lolly or can also be used to flavour alcoholic drinks, ice cream and even meat. Many say that unless you have been accustomed to the acquired taste since childhood, the flavour can be quite strong.

6 – Leipajuusto (Bread cheese)

Leipajuusto can sometimes be known as Finnish squeaky cheese because of the squeaky sound it makes against the teeth when it’s eaten. It is a fresh cheese that is made from goat’s milk, reindeer milk or a cow’s beestings; the rich, first milk expressed by a cow who has recently given birth to a calf. It is baked in the oven and served in slices as a side dish with coffee or with cloudberry jam.

7 –  Kalakukko (fish pie)

Kalakukko is a fish pie made up of a hearty filling of fish, pork and bacon encased in a crispy rye bread loaf. The loaf is cooked in the oven for hours until the dough rises and the filling has fully cooked through. When the bones of the fish become soft and the meat juices melt through the filling mixture, you are left with a crispy outer crust and a soft, flavourful centre. Fish that can be used in this dish include salmon, perch and vendace. 

8 –  Korvapuusti (Cinnamon buns)

Korvapuusti is a Finnish cinnamon roll made of a fluffy dough spiced with cardamon and sprinkled with pearl sugar on the top. It is usually served beside a cup of coffee and can be found at every cafe in Finland. There is a similar cinnamon bun that exists in Sweden however the shape of the Finnish Korvapuusti is unique to Finland.

9 –  Muikku (Fried vendance)

Vendance is a species of freshwater fish and can be found in abundance in Finland due to being surrounded by sea and lakes. This white fish can be prepared and served in many ways however a popular way to eat it is breadcrumbed and frying it in butter. The bones in vendance are so small and soft, the entire fish can be eaten.

10 – Mustikkapiirakka (Blueberry pie)

Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy a slice of Mustikkapiirakka, Finland’s answer to blueberry pie. During the summer months, the forests of Finland are brimming with bilberries which are said to be the cousin of the more commonly known blueberry. Mustikkapiirakka has a crumbly base made up of rye flour and all purpose white flour. Encased within the base is a creamy custard filling dotted with blueberries throughout. It’s found in most Finnish cafes and is best enjoyed beside a cup of milk or coffee.