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Don’t miss trying these traditional foods of Finland. Local. Fresh. Authentic. Delicious. This guide provides a list of what foods to try to experience the Finnish culture of the region.

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Traditional foods of Finland

Rye Bread

Rye is a dark and heavy sourdough type bread. The most popular type in Finland is called reikäleipä.

It is a rye bread made with a hole in the middle. In the past, you could find this bread hanging from poles in Finnish homes.

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.

Traditional Foods of Finland. Delicious cakes, pastries and baked goods in the markets of Helsinki. Helsinki is part of the designated UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Here are the top things to do in Helsink Finland a City of Design. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Delicious cakes, pastries and baked goods 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 and look like a small lobster. 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 is plentiful. Herring, salmon, octopus and fish roe are favourites.

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

Traditional Foods of Finland. Fresh seafood with offerings of smoked salmon, pickled herring, mussels and more in the markets of Helsinki. Helsinki is part of the designated UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Here are the top things to do in Helsinki, Finland a City of Design. 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. You will find it in many dishes including pates and soups. Bear and elk meats 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. Helsinki is part of the designated UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Here are the top things to do in Helsink Finland a City of Design. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

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 is for those who crave the salty taste of liquorice. Look for small, medium and large candy boxes. Liquorice is also a popular ice cream flavour.

Salmiakki – Traditional foods of Finland. Photo Credit: Marimekko and Fazer

Frazer Blue

Frazer Blue is for chocolate lovers. Finland’s iconic Karl Frazer milk chocolate in the blue wrapper has been around since 1922.

Fresh Summer Berries

Bilberry, lingonberry and cloudberry are a must to try.

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

Cloud berries - Traditional Foods of Finland. Photo Credit: Hannu Laatunen, Visiti Finland.

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

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