In Bizarre Foods Helsinki, part of the Delicious Destinations series featuring Andrew Zimmern, the host and his crew visited numerous restaurants in the city, showcasing a variety of unique and delicious dishes. Here is a convenient list of all the addresses and dishes highlighted in this exciting exploration of Helsinki’s food scene.
READ MORE: FINLAND: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN ON NO RESERVATIONS
DISH – Rapu
WHAT IS IT?
Rapu refers to freshwater crayfish that is boiled and served whole. Crayfish is rinsed then boiled with dill, salt and sugar. It is then chilled in its own broth with sprigs of dill up to 12 hours. A platter of rapu is typically served with stock left from the cooking, white toast, butter and dill.
WHERE IS IT?
Ravintola Särkänlinna
Särkkä Island
Helsinki, Finland
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Helsinki
Särkänlinna is an island-restaurant that can be reached through a 10-minute ferry ride from downtown Helsinki. It originated as an 18th century fortress to protect Helsinki from Russian invaders. Presently, it hosts rapujuhlat or rapu parties where diners enjoy platters of boiled crayfish.
DISH – Vorschmack
WHAT IS IT?
Vorschmack is a unique mix of minced beef, lamb and pickled herring. It is typically served as an appetizer or main dish. To start putting the dish together, roasting hand-cubed organic beef and lamb are roasted. The liquid is then drained for stock while the meat is left to cool overnight. The next day, garlic and onions are sautéed in a pan. Whole herrings are then cured in vinegar and sugar. These will then be ground together with the meat, garlic and onions. The ground mixture will then simmered for 2 days to slowly develop its deep, rich flavor. The mixture is occasionally stirred and topped off with water. Eventually, it will condense into a paste-like consistency. Once it looks stiff enough, it can be served with baked potato, beet root, pickles and a dollop of velvety Smetana (Russian sour cream).
READ MORE: COPENHAGEN: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS WITH ANDREW ZIMMERN
WHERE IS IT?
Restaurant Savoy
Eteläesplanadi 14
Helsinki, Finland
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Helsinki
The Savoy overlooks the Helsinki Esplanade and is known for its rooftop seating. One of its best known customers is Marshall Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, who is credited for bringing the vorschmack recipe to the Savoy. The recipe has not changed since it was first served in the 1940s.
DISH – Karelian Pie – Andrew Zimmern Helsinki
WHAT IS IT?
Karelian pie or Karelian pasty is a thin rye crust filled with savory porridge and crowned with eggs and butter. To make the pie crust, butter, sea salt and water are added to rye flour. It is mixed for about 6 minutes and left to cool for approximately 2 hours to make the dough more pliable and ready to be stretched. Rye dough must be very thin to make it crispy. The filling is a simple porridge made of rice, milk and salt. The pie is finished with a signature crimp before it bakes in the oven for 20 minutes. It is served with a side of munavoi or egg butter. Munavoi is chopped hard boiled eggs mixed with butter, salt and pepper typically spread over Karelian pies while they are hot.
WHERE IS IT?
Ekberg 1852 Ltd
Bulevardi 9
Helsinki, Finland
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Helsinki
Ekberg is the oldest pastry shop in Helsinki, baking for Finns since 1852. It bakes over 600 Karelian pies a week.
DISH – Muikku – Andrew Zimmern Helsinki
WHAT IS IT?
Muikku is a dish of fried small fish served whole. It is a popular on-the-go snack made with fresh muikku from local lakes. Muikku is a tiny white fish from the salmon family. Raw fish is coated with seasoned rye flour before it is fried in butter until brown. It is typically served with garlic sauce.
WHERE IS IT?
Lapland Food
Market Square on Eteläranta
Helsinki, Finland
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Helsinki
Lapland Food is one of the food stalls at the Market Square or Kauppatori. It sells up to 250 orders of muikku a day.
DISH – Poronkaristys – Delicious Destinations Helsinki
WHAT IS IT?
Poronkaristys is a Lapland braised dish made with thin slices of reindeer. A shank of reindeer is shaved into thin slices and cooked in butter. Water is then added before the cooked meat is placed in an oven for 2 hours to make it nice and tender. It is served with potatoes and tart, macerated lingonberries.
WHERE IS IT?
Restaurant Saaga
Bulevardi 36
Helsinki, Finland
NOTES – Delicious Destinations Helsinki
Saaga is defined by its Lappish fare, being a showcase for Sámi culture. Here, poronkaristys is served family style.
DISH – Kalakukko – Bizarre Foods Delicious Destinations Helsinki
WHAT IS IT?
Kalakukko is a pocket of fish encased in rye bread. The recipe varies per region and in Helsinki, the dish starts with a crust of sourdough rye. The dough is flattened into discs and loaded with fresh whole muikku. It is then dusted with salted and partially wrapped in dough to showcase the muikku instead of hiding it inside. After 10 minutes in the oven, the kalakukko is glazed with butter and served.
WHERE IS IT?
Rönttösrouva Oy
Päivöläntie 24
Helsinki, Finland
NOTES – Bizarre Foods Delicious Destinations Helsinki
Rönttösrouva bakery has been specializing in pies and pastries of eastern Finland since it opened in 1992. It makes about 200 kalakukko a week.
READ MORE: FINLAND: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN ON NO RESERVATIONS
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