Four underwhelming Norwegian dishes – and what to eat instead

Local Norway

18-02-2025

Despite having access to excellent fish and game and producing countless Bocuse d'Or (kind of like the World Cup for food) winners, Norway doesn't enjoy a solid culinary reputation.
Some of the country's most famous dishes tend to lean on simple ingredients and recipes, meaning that they don't exactly set tastebuds on fire – even if they have a lot of history and tradition behind them.
Here's the (controversial, we know) list of four completely underwhelming Norwegian dishes:
Fårikål
We're going straight for the heavy hitters, and Norway's national dish is perhaps not worthy of its status.
Most recipes for this lamb and cabbage stew typically list just five ingredients: lamb, cabbage, salt, pepper and water. Therefore, it'd be unfair to expect too much.
Theoretically, it should summarise Norwegian cooking at its best because it uses great local and seasonal ingredients. In practice, it's underwhelming and will leave your kitchen stinking of cabbage.
Instead, you should try lapskaus. This dish, at its heart, is still a basic stew. However, the fact that it allows the use of stock, seasoning and more vegetables means that there's a lot more potential for flavours to develop.
Lapskaus isn't seasonal either, meaning you can try it all year round.
Lutefisk
One of Norway's most infamous dishes may interest the gastronomically curious, but those able to get over the pungent odour and gelatinous texture won't be rewarded with a flavour bomb.
Instead, the fish doesn't really have a strong taste and is more about the sides that are served with it. The sides include melted butter, bacon, peas and boiled potatoes – all things you can sample without trying lutefisk.
The reason it remains popular is that it is strongly linked to holidays such as Christmas, with the dish earning its space on the tablecloth due to tradition rather than taste.
Instead, if you want to sample Norway's world-class seafood, sample some seasonal Arctic cod (skrei).
Perhaps the best dish to try would be some traditional Norwegian fish soup. Fish soup makes use of seafood found in Norway's waters and has a comforting creamy flavour profile.
If you happen to be in Bergen, you can try Bergen fish soup, which has a slightly sweeter and sour taste.
Moose
Norway is home to plenty of produce that you can't in many other places, from moose to whale. Moose is popular with tourists and locals alike.
Before we put you off, it's worth pointing out that moose can be great due to its earthy and gamey flavour. Although, much will depend on the cut. Some cuts are really tough, so a burger or stew may be the best way to sample some moose.
When it comes to what to try instead, perhaps opt for some reindeer. It will typically be more expensive than moose, but its flavour can't be beaten.
Reindeer is softer and more tender and tends to have a slight sweetness to it. The filet is perhaps the best cut, but the rump or other cuts should also provide a good experience.
If you are on a tighter budget, then reindeer stew may be a better option. Bidos is a traditional Sami stew. The Sami are considered Europe's last indigenous population and have traditionally lived off reindeer herding and fishing.
Kransekake
Norway's number one party cake, which is saved for May 17th, weddings, confirmations, and Christmas, is probably more style over substance. While some find it chewy and dense, others will find it dry and bland.
Those with a sweet tooth should consider going for a plate of ' suksesskake' or success cake instead.