Top 10 culinary specialities in Helsinki

When we talk about cuisine, we tend to praise French, Italian and Mexican dishes… But what about Finnish specialities? Well, their dishes are primarily inspired by Swedish and Russian cuisine. What’s more, most Finns are particularly fond of vegetables, which feature prominently in both lunchtime and evening dishes. If you’re planning a trip to Helsinki, here’s a short list of the best dishes you’ll find there!

What to eat in Helsinki

1. Karlajan Piirakka

It’s impossible to talk about Finnish cuisine without first mentioning the delicious “Karlajan Piirakka”! These are little tarts made from rye and filled with rice, carrots and potatoes. The very first savoury tarts were made in the kitchens of the Karelia region. It didn’t take long for them to spread throughout Finland, all the way to the capital. They’re a real star in Finland!

2. Korvapuusti

Watch out friends, this little pastry inspired by Swedish cuisine could well break your heart, it’s so delicious! These round cakes, no bigger than the palm of your hand, are actually cinnamon and cardamom buns sprinkled with pearl sugar. If you’re travelling in Finland, you may come across larger ones: they’re idolised by children and eaten with relish by older children. Very easy to cook, you’ll find them absolutely everywhere: small stalls; supermarkets; restaurants…

3. Ruisleipä

If you’re wondering what the staple food of the Finns is, the one you’ll find at every table morning, noon and night, there’s no doubt about it: it’s the delicious bread known as “Ruisleipä”, a rye bread. Quite heavy and hearty, it goes well with all kinds of dishes and fillings: it can be eaten sweet with jam or chocolate, or savoury with cheese or meat. Some people even enjoy eating it in soup. A real treat!

4. Salmon soup

It’s often said that salmon is the “king of the oceans”. Well, one thing’s for sure: it’s the king of Finnish salmon soup! Along with a few slices of the Ruisleipä mentioned earlier, this is one of the best creamy dishes you’ll ever taste. It’s an intoxicatingly creamy white broth into which we’ve added chunks of onion, potatoes, salmon of course, and a light handful of dill. Yummy!

5. Leipäjuusto

We talked about bread above. What goes perfectly with this one? Something white and creamy, with a thin crust that crushes under your teeth? Yes, cheese! And be warned, we’re talking about something really big: “leipäjuusto”, nicknamed “squeaky cheese”, is as much fun as it is delicious to eat. It’s THE star dairy product in Helsinki. Made from curdled cow’s milk that has been baked in the oven, it has a reputation for being very mild. Easily recognisable thanks to its little black and white spots caused by cooking, it’s a dish that everyone loves.

6. Berries

If you get the chance to wander through the majestic forests of Finland, keep your eyes peeled and on the lookout. A treasure no heavier than a pen is hiding there: fresh, juicy berries. A real treasure of the country’s forests, they are usually picked in abundance. These sweet, natural treats, whose juice invigorates our blood vessels, are real pearls of happiness for anyone who eats them. In jam form, they are one of the most exquisite dishes you’ll eat in the capital.

7. Game meat

Don’t be fooled into thinking that in Finland we don’t eat meat: people from all over the country enjoy delicious steaks cooked medium rare with a few vegetables or mashed potatoes as much as we do. The star dish? Rennes meat! It’s a particularly lean dish with a low percentage of fat. Many describe it as “an exquisite meat that will stay with you for a long time”. Will it stay with you?

8. Fish

We mentioned salmon earlier in this list. Finland is also a fish-eating country: tuna; sardines; roe; marinated Baltic herring; perch fillet… White meats, most of which are rich in Omega-3s, which contain just as many vitamins and nutrients! Isn’t life great? These fresh products, bought at the market by the restaurants from fishermen, are always a hit with visitors.

9. Kalakukko

This is a unique dish, which combines both white and red meat, in a happy mixture of siegle crust, which has been cooked in aluminium foil. Original, isn’t it? The meat in question is in fact succulent salted whitefish, with a nice slice of fatty pork. Kalakukko”, which translates as “fish rooster”, is a unique kind of pie, which at first glance looks like a sandwich. From the very first bite, you’ll be enveloped in a torrent of flavours, so this dish will be one of your greatest discoveries in Helsinki.

10. Kotikalja

Let’s end this ranking with a touch of the traditional, but also slightly fruity. In Finland, and especially in Helsinki, the star drink is none other than Kotikalja: a beer made from delicious fermented berries that is often served in inns to give travellers courage. Cheaper than wine, it accompanies almost every Finnish meal. It’s a drink rich in flavour, which on the palate brings an explosion of flavours to the taste buds.