Discover delicious traditional foods of Finland

Don’t miss trying these traditional foods of Finland. Local. Fresh. Authentic. Delicious. The Finnish food culture is healthy and natural from the sea and foraged in the forest. This guide provides a list of what foods to try to experience the Finnish culture of the region.

Traditional foods of Finland

Rye Bread

Rye Bread – Traditional Foods of Finland. Photo Credit: Elina Sirparantal, Visit Finland.

Cinnamon Rolls

Delicious cinnamon rolls, known as korvapuusti, are very popular and offered at bakeries and cafes. They are often served with coffee. They are not sticky or gooey as sometimes found in North America. The cinnamon roll is flavoured with cardamon and finished with pearl sugar.

Delicious cinnamon rolls, known as korvapuusti can be found in the markets of Helsinki. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Karelian Pies

Karelian pies are a traditional pastry found in Finland. These small savoury pies are called Karjalanpiirakka. They are also popular in Estonia and parts of Russia.

The crust is made with rye flour and filled with potato or a rice porridge mixture. The pie is served warm and often topped with a mixture of chopped eggs and butter.

Karelian pies – Traditional foods of Finland. Photo Credit: Raita Kuwahara, Visit Finland.

Potatoes

New potatoes, usually boiled, are a popular staple in the Finnish diet. Potatoes are often served with herring, fish roe or other fish.

Boiled Potatoes – traditional foods of Finland. Photo Credit: Visit Finland.

Crayfish

Crayfish are crustaceans that look like small lobsters. Crayfish season runs from the middle of July through to mid-September.

Crayfish – traditional foods of Finland. Photo Credit: Vastavalo Jorma Jamsen, Visit Finland.

Fish

Finnish people love most fish. Pickled, salted, smoked, poached, grilled, and canned fish are plentiful. Herring, salmon, octopus, and fish roe are favourites, especially marinated or pickled.

Fish is often served along with new potatoes or on a slice of bread.

Fresh seafood with offerings of smoked salmon, pickled herring, mussels and more in the markets of Helsinki. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Fresh seafood with offerings of smoked salmon, pickled herring, mussels and more in the markets of Helsinki. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Reindeer

Reindeer meat is called Poronkäristys. It is usually cooked medium rare and is used in many dishes, including pates and soups. Bear and elk meat are also popular.

Reindeer – traditional foods of Finland. Photo Credit: Hirvi Saara Linna, Visit Finland.

Explore traditional foods of Finland in the markets of Helsinki Finland. Cans of reindeer, elk and beer meat or pate can be found. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Salmiakki

Salmiakki licorice is the traditional confectionary food of Finland. Photo Credit: Marimekko and Fazer

Frazer Blue

Fresh Summer Berries

Bilberries, lingonberries, and cloudberries are a must-try.

• The orange-coloured cloudberry comes from the north and is found in the mountains of the Nordic countries.

Cloudberries – Traditional Foods of Finland. Photo Credit: Hannu Laatunen, Visit Finland.

• Lingonberry is a popular Scandinavian berry that is usually made into jam.
• Bilberry is a dark blue berry used for pies and other baked goods. It is also popularly served in a small dish with milk.

Lingonberries and blueberries are traditional foods in Finland. Photo Credit: Soili Jussila Vastavalo, Visit Finland

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