What to eat in Helsinki?

1. Karlajan Piirakka

It's impossible for us to talk about Finnish cuisine without first mentioning the delicious "Karlajan Piirakka"! These are small tarts made with rye, filled with rice, or even carrots and potatoes. Savory, the very first tartlets were born in the kitchens of the Karelia region. Subsequently, it took very little time for them to spread throughout Finland, all the way to the capital. Unbeatable, they are true stars in the country!

2. Korvapuusti

Attention friends, this little pastry inspired by Swedish cuisine could well break your heart because it's so delicious! These round cakes no bigger than the palm of your hand are actually cinnamon and cardamom breads sprinkled with pearl sugar. If you travel to Finland, you might find larger ones: they are adored by children and enjoyed with delight by adults. Very easy to cook, you'll find them absolutely everywhere: small stands, supermarkets, restaurants...

3. Ruisleipä

If you're looking to know what the basic food of Finns is, the one found at every table morning, noon, and night: without a doubt, it's the succulent bread called "Ruisleipä", a rye bread. Quite heavy and filling, it can accompany any type of dish and garnish: it can be eaten sweet with jam or chocolate; but also savory with cheese and meat. In fact, some equally appreciate eating it in soup. A delight!

4. Salmon Soup

They often say that salmon is the "king fish of the oceans". Well, what's certain is that it's the king fish of the famous Finnish salmon soup! With a few slices of Ruisleipä mentioned earlier, this is one of the best creamy dishes you'll have the chance to taste in your life. It's a white broth, intoxicating and very creamy in which pieces of onions, potatoes, salmon of course, and a light handful of dill have been added. Yum!

5. Leipäjuusto

We talked about bread earlier. What goes perfectly with it? A white, creamy delicacy whose fine crust crushes under your teeth? Yes, cheese! And attention, we're presenting something heavy: the "leipäjuusto", nicknamed "squeaky cheese", is as fun as it is delicious to eat. It's THE star dairy product in Helsinki. Made with curdled cow's milk that has been baked in the oven, it has a reputation for being very mild. Easily recognizable thanks to its small black and white spots from cooking, it's a delicacy that everyone loves.

6. Berries

If you have the chance to walk in the majestic forests of Finland, keep your eyes wide open and be on the lookout. A treasure no heavier than a pen is hidden there: juicy and fresh berries. A true treasure of the country's forests, they are generally picked in abundance. These little natural sweet treats, whose juice revitalizes our blood vessels, are true pearls of happiness for anyone who eats them. In jam, it's one of the most exquisite delicacies you'll have the chance to eat in the capital.

7. Game Meat

Don't think that in Finland, they don't eat meat: inhabitants of every region appreciate as much as we do delicious steaks cooked medium-rare with some vegetables for accompaniment or even mashed potatoes. The signature dish? Reindeer meat! It's a particularly lean meat containing a low percentage of fat. Many describe it as "an exquisite meat that stays engraved in your memory for a long time". Will it remain in yours?

8. Fish

We talked about salmon earlier in this list. You should know that Finland is one of the fish-eating countries: tuna, sardines, burbot roe, marinated Baltic herring, perch fillet... White meats, mostly rich in Omega-3, which contain as many vitamins and nutrients! Isn't life beautiful? These fresh products bought at the market by restaurants from fishing vendors always win unanimous approval from visitors.

9. Kalakukko

This is a unique dish that combines both white and red meat in a happy mixture of rye crust, cooked in aluminum foil. Original, isn't it? The meat in question is actually the succulent salted whitefish, with a beautiful slice of fatty pork. The "Kalakukko", which can be translated as "fish rooster", is a sort of unique tart that at first glance looks like a sandwich. From the first bite, you'll be enveloped in a torrent of flavors, so much so that this dish will be part of your most beautiful discoveries in Helsinki.

10. Kotikalja

Let's finish this ranking with a touch that's certainly 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 served a lot in inns to give courage to travelers. Cheaper than wine, it accompanies almost all Finnish meals. It's a drink rich in flavors that, in the mouth, brings an explosion of flavors to the taste buds.