Traditional Food In Denmark

1. Smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches)

Smørrebrød are open-faced sandwiches topped with a variety of ingredients served on rye bread. Danish people enjoy these delicacies for lunch. Various options are available from shrimp, mayo, and parsley to tuna or egg salad, vegetarian along with many other choices. Michelin star restaurant Amalie in Copenhagen serves up a shrimp, mayo, smoked salmon, tuna, and bacon version for lunch.

2. Stegt flaesk med persillesovs (pieces of pork with potatoes and parsley sauce)

The national favourite of all dishes in Denmark is stegt flaesk med persillesovs. This traditional dish, loved by all of Denmark, is made of pork belly, seasoned with salt and pepper, and fried until crispy. It is accompanied by boiled potatoes and a parsley sauce. Visitors can find this specialty in various restaurants in Copenhagen. Sometimes served on restaurant buffet menus. Sopremenaden in Copenhagen is one location where bacon lovers will get their fill and more.

3. Krasenkager (marizpan ring cake)

Krasenkager is a ring cake enjoyed during special occasions in Denmark. It is made with marzipan, eggs, and almond paste. It is a towering masterpiece of layered rings varying in size. Decorated with white icing. Served with coffee or champagne depending on the occasion.

Bakeries in Copenhagen serve it by the slice for visitors to sample. While exploring Copenhagen, why not give your tired feet a break at one of the many bakeries in the city, to enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of krasenkager. One such bakery is Konditori La Glace.

4. Boller i karry (dumplings in curry)

Boller i karry is a dish consisting of pork meatballs in a thick curry sauce with apple slices. It is accompanied by rice and cucumbers which have been pickled. It is another example of the variety found in Danish cuisine. It can be enjoyed on a cool day at Grøften’s in Copenhagen.

5. Æblekage (apple charlotte)

Æblekage (apple charlotte) is comprised of stewed sweetened apples layered with roasted bread crumbs and crushed almond meringue, topped with whipped cream and sometimes redcurrant jelly. In Denmark, this sweet treat is served cold. A perfect parfait of yumminess on a hot summer day touring around Copenhagen.

6. Frikadeller (meat balls)

Frikadeller are mincemeat of pork and veal pan-fried meatballs sometimes served with potatoes and other vegetables. In other instances, the meatballs are served alongside rye bread and pickles. Sometimes they are also presented alone on a dish. They are usually served cold, but on occasion, they are enjoyed as a hot dish. Stop in for a home-made meal of traditional Danish cuisine at Husmann’s Vinstue.

7. Kanelsnegl (cinnamon roll)

Kanelsnegl is Denmark’s cinnamon bun also known as the cinnamon snail. The main ingredients are flour, cinnamon, sugar, and butter, which provide a robust and sweet flavour. Denmark’s version has a light glaze instead of icing as in North America. The version pictured is topped with dark chocolate which would make it similar to a pain au chocolate cinnamon roll. You can find these delicious pastries in bakeries throughout Denmark.

8. Pandekager (a thin, crepe-like pancake)

Pandekager is basically Denmark’s version of crepes. They are similar to France’s sweet crepes, but with the consistency of a thin pancake. They are topped off with strawberry jam, confectioner’s sugar (icing sugar) and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Another variety available to order is Nutella and banana. They are an especially popular dish on Shrove Tuesday in Denmark. In fact, the day was renamed “Pancake Day” in 2006 showing how much Danish people love their pandekager.

9. Rødgrød

Rødgrød is a traditional dessert made of potato starch to achieve a creamy, starchy pudding texture comparable to tapioca. The essential ingredients are red berries such as redcurrant, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, stoned black cherries, blackberries, and bilberries. The berries are thickened and stewed by a double heating process to create a compote. Rhubarb is added to the berry compote to reduce the sweetness of the berries and sugar. This traditional dessert is served hot or cold as a dessert with milk, a mixture of milk and vanilla sugar, vanilla sauce, (whipped) cream, vanilla ice cream, or custard to balance the refreshing taste of the fruit flavours.

10. Æbleflæsk

Æbleflæsk (apple-pork) is a traditional Danish dish consisting of cured or salted pork belly, fried with apples, thyme, chopped onion, and sugar. Chopped onion is often fried with the apples. This dish is eaten for breakfast by the Danish people. There are many versions to enjoy while in Denmark. One version is a sweet apple mash with small cubes of bacon. Another version consists of larger slices of lightly salted and fried pork, arranged with the fried apples and onions on a dish. The most common version today is where the pork belly is fried first in a skillet until crisp just like bacon and then followed by pieces of tart apples. While the apples fry, they are mixed with salt, pepper, thyme, and sugar. This dish is presented hot or cold. Once the pork and apples have finished cooking, it is made into a sandwich with rye bread. It is a popular dish for pre-Christmas buffets.

Exploring Denmark's traditional food scene

These examples are just a small selection of the traditional dishes enjoyed by Danish citizens. Please be sure to enjoy as much as possible of Denmark’s cuisine while exploring this country so full of lovely people, delicious food, beautiful nature, and culture.