Food traditions in Northern Norway

Arctic Menu - with a taste of Northern Norway

The food is one of Northern Norway’s many temptations. Our rich pantry contains some of the world's best ingredients. The raw materials are naturally influenced by natural conditions such as the cold ocean, a lot of wind and weather, large temperature fluctuations and light summer nights.

Combined with the joy of creating and the knowledge of local food traditions chefs from Arctic Menu offer the best there is from the region. Arctic Menu is a network of enthusiastic restaurants, all with a focus on local food and offering the best ingredients for the season. You can visit an Arctic Menu restaurant between Brønnøysund in the south and Kirkenes in the north, including Svalbard.

"We must bring the history and experience to guests who visit us. We should say something about our bread and thus the Pomor trading who gave us the grain of such a quality that we had raised bread. Ships going to Bergen loaded with dried fish, oil and skin, which we exchanged with flour and spices from all over the world. The scent of Zanzibar and India spread in the squire’s living rooms and mixed with the smell of liver and dried fish on the racks. Knowledge of a world beyond the islands gave wanderlust, sailors to the ships and a healthy economy of the dried cod production. Young goat with its mild flavor marinated with local spices. The sharp taste of self-composed goat sausage dried in natural gut. "Barents Ham" marinated in home-brewed beer before the seal meat was smoked and dried. Reindeer meat, tongue and heart dried in various combinations, cooked and fried with different techniques. We want to let the menus reflect seasonal variations and our northern natural food combined with the kitchen's new technical solutions and the chef's imagination. We do not need to cook the porridge in the iron pot on open fire for three hours as it stands in some cookbooks that we should. Every day we combine new technology and knowledge with old recipes. The fisherman ate himself what he did not sell or whatever gave him least income; jaws, tongue, stomach, liver and roe. This he carried home, boiled and fried it in order to create food and culinary traditions - and our culture. This is what we must preserve for posterity, and that's what we want to show our visitors. It is what we hope guests will enjoy and talk about when they come home. We want to give something of our culture - the local customs, foods and food traditions. Bon appétit! ”

Author: Nils Harald Moe.

In large parts of northern Scandinavia cuisine is influenced by the Sami culture and the Sami way of life. This has provided many exciting and exotic dishes of fish, berries, venison and others. The Sami kitchen has been marked by easy cooking - like cooking on the open fire, the usage of little spice and ingredients with explosions of flavors. Some restaurants already serve exquisite dishes with origins in the Sami traditions, while others choose a more continental style. Through a project called the Sami Kitchen, we want to focus on the exquisite Sami cuisine and make raw materials available. Important partners in this work are Restaurant Storgammen at Rica Hotel Karasjok and Mountain Products in Kautokeino. In these you can find exquisite Sami dishes and ingredients of highest quality. Welcome to the Sami tastes in the north!

Source: Arctic Menu

Lofoten International Matfest in Svolvær

Tourism, events and local food from northern Norway meets local cuisine from Italy, Indonesia and Bavaria. Chefs from these areas will together with local chefs prepare and present the best of dishes based on North Norwegian food traditions.

North Norwegian Food Festival in Målselv

The exhibitors can offer local products made from berries, vegetables, fish, meat, milk and a variety of bakery products. The festival will feature exciting and traditional food and activities related to food. Festival with taste and market stalls. Welcome to the many activities and great experiences!

Lofoten has a lot to offer when it comes to food. At the festival you will see, experience and taste some of this. In addition, you will see and learn about how food is prepared, and maybe you'll try it yourself too. Entertainment, activities, contests and more.

Lofoten International “Tørrfisk” (dried fish) Festival in Henningsvær

Chef Competitions, dried fish buffet with exciting dishes - all made with dried fish as the main ingredient, “boknafisk” dinnerparty, cooking courses, wine courses, champagne courses, Babette's dinnerparty, cod liver oil production and much, much more.

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