10 must-try Finnish dishes

A taste of the North

Finnish cuisine is a celebration of simplicity, seasonality, and connection to nature. Rooted in traditions, it reflects the Nordic way of life—slow, honest, and close to the land. From wild-foraged berries to freshwater fish and hearty breads, Finnish dishes are often built on local ingredients. If you're curious about what Finland tastes like, these ten traditional foods offer the perfect place to begin your journey.

The essential dishes

🥟 Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pie)

A thin rye crust filled with creamy rice porridge, traditionally served warm with a generous dollop of egg butter. This beloved Eastern Finnish snack is the very definition of comfort food.

🍞 Ruisleipä (rye bread)

Dense, dark, and full of character, Finnish rye bread is a national staple. Often sourdough-based, it’s the everyday hero of Finnish kitchens.

🐟 Kalakukko

This traditional bread-encased fish pie hails from the Savonia region. Whole fish like perch or vendace are baked inside a rye bread loaf, resulting in a deeply satisfying, portable meal.

🦌 Poronkäristys (sautéed reindeer)

Tender reindeer meat sautéed in butter and beer, then simmered until soft. Typically served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries—a Lapland classic.

🍲 Lohikeitto (salmon soup)

A creamy and comforting soup made from fresh salmon, potatoes, leeks, and dill. It’s simple, nourishing, and full of clean Nordic flavors.

🫐 Mustikkapiirakka (bilberry pie)

A summer favorite, made with wild bilberries from Finnish forests and a creamy custard base. Served with coffee, it’s the taste of summer in every bite.

🌿 Hernekeitto (pea soup)

This thick green pea soup is a Thursday tradition in Finland, often paired with mustard and pancakes for dessert.

🐟 Silakat (fried Baltic herring)

Crispy, pan-fried herrings served with mashed potatoes or rye bread. A humble coastal dish that packs flavor and tradition.

🧀 Leipäjuusto (Finnish squeaky cheese)

Mild-flavored and firm in texture, this fresh cheese squeaks when you bite it. Usually served warm with tart-sweet cloudberry jam.

🥘 Maksalaatikko (liver casserole)

This modest, traditional Finnish casserole is made from liver and rice. It is usually served with lingonberry jam or crushed lingonberries.

A food culture rooted in nature

What makes Finnish food so special? It’s not just the ingredients—it’s the landscape and lifestyle behind them. Foraging, fishing, and seasonal rhythms define much of what ends up on the plate and Finnish table. There’s a quiet integrity to the food here: nothing too fancy, but always full of flavor, meaning, and a deep respect for the environment.

Discovering Finland, one bite at a time

Whether you're wandering in Helsinki market hall, enjoying a lakeside summer cottage meal, or tucking into sautéed reindeer in Lapland, Finnish cuisine is a journey in itself. These dishes offer more than just sustenance—they tell the story of a place and its people. Try them with curiosity.