Iceland’s dark cuisine is world-famous—fermented shark (Hákarl), singed sheep head (Svið), blood pudding (Slátur), and ram’s testicles (súrsaðir hrútspungar)—just hearing about them can be off-putting; but in fact, Iceland also has delicious food. Let me share my favorite dishes!
1. Fish
Fish is a very common main dish in Iceland, typically cod and salmon. Arctic char (salmon living in the Arctic Circle) is especially delicious—tender, juicy, and rich in flavor. Highly recommended!!
2. Traditional Icelandic Dish: Plokkfiskur
Plokkfiskur came about because Icelanders didn’t want to waste food and would preserve leftovers. It’s a dish made by mashing together cod, potatoes, onions, and white sauce, usually served with bread and butter. Nowadays, it’s mostly made with fresh fish, making it one of the more approachable traditional Icelandic dishes.
3. Hamburgers
You can find hamburgers all over Iceland, with almost every gas station having its own burger joint, and Reykjavik has countless specialty shops. Hamburgers are my favorite, so of course I had to try them in Iceland. The fish burgers are definitely tasty, but even the beef burgers from gas stations are no joke—they’re juicier and more flavorful than those at fast-food chains in Hong Kong.
4. Lamb
Lamb is one of the most expensive meats in Icelandic restaurants, with an incredibly tender texture and absolutely no gaminess. Even friends of mine who are usually sensitive to the smell of lamb said they could handle it—and they ended up eating it for several meals.
5. Lobster Soup
Icelandic soups are usually rich in ingredients—not just clear broths—and can be paired with bread for a full meal. One of the most famous is lobster soup, made with lobster, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and more. The lobster flavor is intense, with a tangy and spicy taste that’s very appetizing. The soup also contains sweet, tender, and springy chunks of lobster meat—definitely worth a try.
6. Beef
Although Iceland isn’t known for producing a lot of beef, Icelanders are very skilled at cooking it. One dish I tried that really impressed me was charcoal-grilled beef—the outside has a delicious charred aroma, while the inside remains tender and juicy, with a strong beefy flavor.
7. Traditional Icelandic Dairy Product: Skyr
Skyr is a famous traditional Icelandic food, made from low-fat milk. Its texture is similar to yogurt—thicker but not overly sweet. It’s said to have extremely low fat content, and I could easily eat a cup of it every day. It also helps with digestion. My favorite flavor is blueberry, because the original flavor has absolutely no sweetness. It’s even better with fruit pieces added (unfortunately, none of the Skyr flavors come with fruit bits).
8. Ice Cream
Icelanders love ice cream—even in the cold winter, it doesn’t dampen their enthusiasm, so many ice cream shops remain open year-round. This time, I even tried eating ice cream in the snow, and the beer-flavored ice cream was the most unique.
Pixsoul Iceland 10-Day (8-Night) Deep Nature Exploration Tour - October 2019
https://www.pixsoulhk.com/Activity/IcelandDetails/IcelandSchedule10D/n-Cs5dsD
Want to know my latest updates? Follow Pixsoul on IG Story :)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixsoulhk
Don’t miss our posts—follow our page to get the first look :p
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pixsoulhk
Website: https://www.pixsoulhk.com