Do you know Norwegian food? Spoiler: you’re going to be surprised!
Alright. You’re getting ready for your internship in Norway, and beyond dreaming of fjords, the northern lights, and hikes through snowy forests, you’re probably wondering about the BIG question: what do people eat there? Let’s be honest—when you head abroad, discovering the local food is a core part of the adventure.
Fortunately for you, International Horizons is here to give you the grand tour and get you ready for Norway’s culinary scene. And trust me—it’s far more varied and surprising than you think.
Spoiler: Norway isn’t only about smoked salmon (even if it’s excellent).
Obviously, Norwegian salmon is world-famous. It’s delicious, super fresh, and Norwegians eat plenty of it. But limiting Norwegian cuisine to plain salmon means missing out on a whole range of original dishes that are deeply rooted in the country’s culture.
Norwegian cuisine is deeply connected to nature, the sea, and the changing seasons. Naturally, with a climate like theirs, you have to make do with what’s on hand at each time of year. And you’ll quickly discover that they’ve developed specialties you rarely encounter elsewhere.
Norwegian lamb: the free-range superstar
Norwegian lamb: the free-range superstar
Let’s start with the meat. Norwegian lamb is a true institution. Why? The animals roam free in mountains and pastures, grazing on exceptionally rich, aromatic grass. The result: ultra-tender, juicy, and deeply flavorful meat.
There are many lamb-based dishes. For example:
Fårikål, considered Norway’s national dish: a long-simmered lamb-and-cabbage stew—simple, rustic, and wonderfully comforting during the cold months.
- Grilled lamb chops, served with steamed potatoes and lingonberry sauce.
You’ll see—in Norway, cooking revolves around simple, high-quality ingredients. It’s not flashy cuisine; it’s real, authentic fare from the land.
Game: moose, reindeer, deer… and even capercaillie!
Another key pillar of Norwegian cuisine is game. Once again, it’s rooted in the ever-present nature. Hunting and fishing have always been part of local tradition, and Norwegians know how to turn these ingredients into delicious dishes.
Among the game meats you can try:
Moose: tender, with a fairly subtle flavor, often served as steak or in stew.
Reindeer: slightly richer, a meat with real character. It’s very common in the north of the country.
Deer (hjort): flavorful and refined.
Capercaillie (a local bird): a bit rarer, but an absolute delicacy.
In many traditional-style restaurants or even family-run inns, you can try these meats served with creamy berry sauces—a real winter treat.
The famous brunost: cheese with a caramel flavor.
Here’s where you’ll be surprised. Norway’s most famous cheese has nothing to do with Camembert or Comté. Brunost (“brown cheese”) is made from caramelized whey, which gives it its brown hue and slightly sweet, caramel-like flavor.
At first, it’s a bit surprising—but honestly, it’s delicious. Norwegians eat it for breakfast, often on a slice of bread with a little butter. It’s sweet-savory, melt-in-the-mouth, and keeps you full before heading to work or out on a hike—perfect energy for braving the cold.
And honestly, it’s one of the culinary memories you’ll bring back home with you.
Aquavit: to help you digest it all!
On ne peut pas parler de la table norvégienne sans évoquer l’aquavit. C’est un peu la liqueur nationale.
Fabriquée à base de pommes de terre distillées, elle est aromatisée avec diverses épices : cumin, aneth, coriandre, fenouil… Chaque marque a ses petits secrets de fabrication.
Traditionally, aquavit is enjoyed at big festive meals, especially at Christmas or weddings. It hits you fast, so drink in moderation, of course. But it really warms you up after a hearty dinner in minus-10-degree weather!
Ribbe: the star of Christmas meals.
Norwegians have a real talent for hearty winter dishes, and ribbe is the perfect example.
It’s roasted pork belly, served with:
- sauerkraut,
- steamed potatoes,
- Christmas sausages,
- meatballs,
- a hearty homemade brown gravy.
The whole spread is usually served around 4–5 p.m., because—as you’ll discover in Norway—people dine early! It’s super hearty and family-style, and you leave the table stuffed, ready for a stroll under the Christmas lights.
Stockfish: dried (and rehydrated) fish
Another great classic of Norwegian cuisine: stockfish.
It’s cod that’s air-dried for several months—the famous hanging cod you see in photos of the Lofoten Islands. Afterwards, it’s rehydrated, sometimes in baths containing a mixture of water and sodium hydroxide (careful: that turns it into lutefisk—a whole different experience!).
The result is a fish with a very distinctive, slightly gelatinous texture. It divides foreigners—some love it, others are less keen. But it’s definitely worth trying at least once; after all, it’s a specialty that’s been around for more than a thousand years!
Middag: Norwegian dinner, a true daily ritual.
Middag is the name for the hot evening meal. In Norway, people don’t really eat hot food at lunchtime, so dinner becomes THE main meal of the day.
In general, it’s eaten early—often between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. You’ll have to get used to the Scandinavian pace!
On the plate, you’ll almost always find:
- a protein (fish or meat),
- steamed potatoes,
- cooked vegetables (lots of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts…).
It’s simple, effective, and perfectly suited to the local temperatures.
The slightly more “extreme” dishes for adventurers
If you’re the adventurous foodie type (and your stomach can handle it), there are a few even more quintessential specialties:
Rakfisk: fermented trout. It smells strong and tingles the nose a bit, but it’s a true Norwegian tradition.
Mølje: cod served with its liver and roe—very rich, very briny, and much loved along the coast.
Lutefisk (already mentioned above): the famous dried fish rehydrated with lye. This is definitely a dish for connoisseurs!
Don’t worry—you never have to taste it, but many expats leave Norway having tried it at least once. And it always makes a great story to tell when you get back.
And for dessert?
Norway isn’t necessarily famous for highly elaborate desserts, but there are still a few sweet treats worth trying:
Multekrem: a dessert made from Arctic cloudberries and whipped cream. It’s quite rare and pricey, but absolutely delicious.
Kanelboller: cinnamon buns you’ll find in cafés everywhere, often still warm—perfect with a coffee on a rainy afternoon.
The Norwegian coffee break: a way of life.
It’s impossible to talk about Norwegian cuisine without mentioning coffee. Norwegians are among the world’s biggest coffee drinkers, and here the coffee break is sacred.
They call it a “kaffepause,” and it happens several times a day. You’ll soon notice that—whether at the office, at home, or even on a hike—every moment is an excuse to pull out a thermos and down a cup of black coffee.
Norwegians love it—it’s practically a social institution. Get ready to become addicted to that little coffee break in the snow yourself.
A few practical tips for eating smart in Norway
Because let’s be honest: Norway is great, but it’s pricey. Here are a few tips to enjoy it without blowing your intern budget:
Do your grocery shopping at Kiwi or Rema 1000 (the local discount supermarkets).
Favor local and seasonal products—fish is often more affordable.
Cook at home: eating out can quickly cost €20–30 per meal. It’s better to make your own meals and save restaurants for special occasions.
In summary: Norway will also delight your taste buds.
You’ve got it—your internship in Norway won’t just immerse you in breathtaking landscapes and enriching encounters. It will also introduce you to a new culinary culture, blending tradition, nature, and the occasional unexpected discovery.
And as always, International Horizons is here to support you before, during, and after your internship. We’ll find you the placement, handle your Erasmus+ paperwork, help with your CV, and—above all—prepare you for a unique adventure, right down to what’s on your plate.
So, ready to try rakfisk and brunost? Contact us and we’ll organize your stay in the land of fjords and unexpected flavors!