Icelandic Cuisine
While we usually cook for ourselves on this dialogue, there have been tons of opportunities to try Icelandic cuisine. Each day at breakfast, we have Skyr–an Icelandic yogurt that’s denser than American yogurt. We also have Rugbraud, which translates to “ground loaf.” It’s typically cooked in the ground at a low temperature for a long period of time. It’s great with butter and honey on top and is one of my regular breakfast grabs.
Iceland is also home to a variety of meats that I’ve tried over the past couple of weeks. There are a lot of lamb dishes given the excess of sheep on the island. On the first day in Reykjavik, a few friends and I had lamb soup whilst taking shelter from the rain and cold, and it was delicious. During a fishery tour, we were able to try the famous Greenland Shark. This dish has to be fermented for weeks after it’s caught due to the toxins in the shark, so it’s not exactly pleasant. By eating it, I became an honorary member of “The Rotten Shark Club”–I was given a card and everything. Pro tip: don’t chew too long, just get it over with.
One of my favorite things to try so far has definitely been the reindeer burger (sorry, Santa). It has a similar flavor to lamb, only more tender. What takes it to the next level is the sauce served on it that gives it a sweet tang. Icelanders do a lot of things right, and their burgers are high on that list.
While in Reykjavik I’ve also had the opportunity to try whale and (don’t be mad) puffin. Yes, I ate puffin and yes, I visited a puffin colony before doing so. They’re adorable, but also delicious. Puffin tastes similar to steak and the whale was cooked with a teriyaki sauce with a hint of the ocean at the end. Both were very expensive and served in small portions, so I split a few bites with friends to lower the price. Trying puffin and whale was definitely more for the experience rather than eating them as an actual meal, and afterwards my friends and I got hot dogs.
Similar to its burgers, Iceland makes a mean hot dog. There are stands in most small towns and a friend and I split one for the first time when we stopped in Akureyri. Like the burgers, the sauce is the kicker. There’s also a great crunch factor from the fried onions on the bottom. You can find them in most towns for under five hundred kronor (about five bucks) and it’s a great option for something quick to eat.
When I wasn’t eating Iceland’s cutest inhabitants, I also tried the sweets the country had to offer. I’ve mentioned before the Iceland is also known for their ice cream. Almost every campsite we’ve stayed at has had an opportunity for ice cream, and we’ve definitely taken advantage of it. There’s also been an ongoing search for the best hot chocolate. After many tireless hours of research, I can confidently say that Skaftafell National Park has the best hot chocolate and I strongly recommend getting it with milk. The National Park also sold Icelandic Waffles. After growing up with America’s huge diner waffles, it’s slightly disappointing to see the thin Icelandic version. They’re still tasty, especially drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with Icelandic whipped cream, but I think America wins this round.
Definitely bring a food budget on this trip and an adventurous appetite. Given its location and culture, Icelandic food is pretty different than what we see in America, but it’s been a fun and delicious endeavor to try all the different dishes Iceland has to offer.
