Top 10 Foods to Try in Iceland

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Lately, Iceland has become one of the hippest destinations to travel to. This small island nation is located in the North of the Atlantic Ocean. Breathtaking sceneries such as the Strokkur Geyser, Vatnajokull glacier, Reykjadalur Hot Springs, and Bardarbunga volcano put the country on the map. However, to truly experience any country, it is important to try out the local food. Fortunately, Iceland food and Iceland restaurrants do not disappoint in this area.

Being so remote, if the locals wanted to eat foreign foods, they had to import it. This made healthy foreign food extremely expensive. Therefore, the local culinary culture has developed in an extremely unique way by using local ingredients in new and interesting ways not usually found anywhere else. Make sure to check out some of the top 10 foods to try in Iceland below, the next time or first time you visit.

#10: Skyr

Skyr is one of the most popular Icelandic dishes. In fact, it is so popular that it is one of the biggest exported Iceland food to other countries.^[1]Extreme Iceland – Iceland Bucket List: Food It is a type of dairy product, and is technically a type of cheese; however, it is very similar in both consistency and taste to yogurt. In fact, it actually has a slightly milder taste than Greek style yogurt.

Skyr is the traditional Iceland food. However, it originally came from Norway over a thousand years ago when the Viking originally inhabited the island. However, while it slowly faded away from the other Scandinavian and Nordic countries’ cuisines, it has remained a staple on the table of the Icelandic people. Traditionally, locals serve it with some sugar on top and a glass of cold milk on the side. However, much like other styles of yogurt, and in order to broaden its appeal, many local manufactures of Skyr have added additional flavors such as vanilla and berries.

#9: Icelandic Lamb

The Icelandic sheep is one of the purest breeds of domesticated sheep in the world today. Over 1000 years ago, Vikings originally brought them. Farmers have tried to interbreed the local Icelandic breed of sheep with other types of domesticated sheep. However, it always resulted in disaster. Therefore, the Icelandic government has actually made it illegal to import other varieties of sheep to Iceland in order to protect the local sheep population.

Due to the sparse and wild vegetation native to Iceland that the local sheep eat, they develop a very unique and tasty flavor. As such, according to Dr. Clair Terrill of the Department of Animal Science at Oklahoma State University, the Icelandic lamb is highly sought around the world.^[2]Oklahoma State – Breeds of Livestock – Icelandic Sheep While normally reserved for special occasions, it is possible to find lamb in all types of local foods such as: slow roasted lamb with mushrooms, lamb soup, and even sheep’s head (known as Svið locally). When visiting Iceland and eating Iceland food, make sure to try out the local lamb stew and smoked lamb sausages, both of which are to die for.

#8: Fermented Shark

In modern times, Icelandic people don’t normally eat fermented shark, also known as Hakarl to the locals.^[3]The Mystery of Hakarl: Rotten Shark Meat Delicacy From Iceland However, as the national dish, it is a must try for all people coming to visit Iceland. However, be careful as many people have a hard time actually eating it. In fact, Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern described it as “some of the most horrific things I’ve ever breathed in my life,” and that fermented shark is “…hardcore…not for beginners.”

Reactions such as this are mostly due to the preparation process of fermenting the Iceland shark. Due to this process it has a very strong and unique flavor. Normally, locals make it with a Greenland shark. They specially ferment it and leave it to dry for at least four months. Generally, locals serve it in small cubes on a toothpick which is most likely due to the fact that it has a strong fishy and ammonia smell.

#7: Hot Dogs – Iceland Food?

When visiting Iceland, and specifically Reykjavik, make sure to get some hotdogs. This is a great starting point for many visitors, especially those who are not particularly adventurous in their food tastes. On the other hand, most visitors may wonder why the hot dog is a must try Iceland food? However, it is not just not any hot dog! It is the Icelandic hot dog from the world famous Bæjarins beztu Icelandic hot dog stand. This hot dog stand has been faithfully serving hot dogs since 1937.^[4]bbp – Bæjarins Beztu in English In fact, the hot dogs from this stand are so popular that it is only half-jokingly called “the Icelandic national food”. When visiting this stand, make sure to get the hot dog with “the works”. This includes sweet mustard, raw onion, ketchup, fried onion, and to top it off remolaði (a mayonnaise-based sauce with sweet relish).

#6: Rye Bread

Locals call the rye bread rugbraud. It is a great Iceland food to try for visitors to the country. It is possible for you to get versions of this bread that are made in the oven. In order to get a truly unique experience, make sure to try out the rye bread made in the tradition fashion. This includes burying the bread in a wooden box next to a thermal hot spring in order to cook it.^[5]BBC – The Icelandic bread that’s baked in the ground

The bread is rather sweat, lasts a long time, and goes well with things such as butter and fish. It is possible to find it in all of the local Iceland grocery stores. Therefore, it is a great thing to stock up on for food when leaving Reykjavik to explore the rest of the country. However, a word of warning, while this bread is very tasty, don’t eat too much of it. The bread causes flatulence, giving this bread the nickname þrumari (thunderbread).

#5: Dried Fish

It should not come as too big of a surprise that dried fish is a must try food item when visiting Iceland. Especially seeing as it is an island country out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The locals call this type of fish harðfisk which literally translates to hard fish.^[6]Total Iceland – Why is dryfish so very loved in Iceland The drying process is the cause for its name. The fish dry for many months making them very hard, much too hard to chew as it is. Therefore, after the fish have dried completely, the people who prepare them hit them with mallets. This is to soften them back up making them ready to eat. However, if looking for a truly local experience, make sure to eat the dried fish like the locals by dipping it into some butter first.

#4: Salt Liquorice

The Icelandic people have a very big appetite for things with a taste of salt and ammonia. Salt liquorice is the greatest example of this. In fact, they like it so much that it is literally possible to find it in almost everything. This includes cakes, meringues, vodka, chocolate, cola drinks, meat, bread, and even ice cream.^[7]Shop Icelandic – CANDY Therefore, while visitors might not specifically be seeking out to try salt liquorice, it is most likely that they will still get a taste of it. However, for the real thrill seekers, make sure to try it in its raw form. But be warned, it is definitely an acquired taste and has been described as everything from tongue numbing to stinging.

#3: Fresh Fish

Some people may have wrongly heard that whale is a local delicacy, but it really is not. In fact, most Icelandic people do not really eat it that much. Generally, fishermen only hunt them to serve to visitors. In fact, according to Chef Ragnar Erikkson of Dill Restaurant in Reykjavík, Iceland, “When it comes to authentic Icelandic food I think about fish” and “Iceland is an island surrounded by fish from the cleanest oceans left on the planet.”^[8]culture trip – Who Is Eating Iceland’s Whales?

Being an island nation, Iceland is home to some of the best fish that you can eat in the entire world. Thus, visitors must to try some of the local Iceland fish that were probably caught just that day. For those visiting, there is a wide variety of fish to try. For example, consider eating the local cod, haddock, arctic char, halibut, monkfish, catfish, golden redfish, plaice, ling, scampi, mackerel, grey skate, megrim, and witch flounder. Needless to say, there will probably be a type of fish that will be to your liking.

#2: Puffin

Iceland is home to the largest population of Atlantic puffins in the world. In fact, visitors can find the largest single colony of puffins in the Westmann Isles. They are a group of islands that belong to Iceland. Technically it is not an endangered species. However, some countries still consider Puffins a protected species and thus it is not possible to hunt them.^[9]The Telegraph – BBC chef Tom Kerridge criticised for eating a puffin However, it is still possible to eat them in Iceland. Chefs generally prepare them in one of two ways. They either boil them in a milk sauce (known as Mjólkursoðinn lundi) or smoke them (known simply as lundi). This Icelandic delicacy can be found in many of the best restaurants in Iceland. Normally restaurants serve it as part of a tapas style dish or an accompaniment to other traditional style Iceland food.

#1: Sour Ram’s Testicles

Admittedly, Iceland don’t eat sour ram testicles, also known as Súrir hrútspungar, as much anymore.^[10]Atlas Obscura – Sour Rams’ Testicles However, it is a testament to the tradition culinary culture of Iceland food. However, visitors can still find it in many of the best restaurants in Reykjavik. They are popular especially in those that celebrate traditional Icelandic countryside dishes. It dates back to the times when Iceland was a very poor nation. Local farmers had to use every part of the animal to eat in order to survive. This was especially true, as the locals needed to preserve food over the winter in order to eat.