I recently spent a week in Copenhagen determined to discover what hygge is all about and try as many traditional Danish specialties as possible…
Danish cuisine, like everywhere else in the world, is directly correlated with geography as well as climate. Danish winters are long and cold. Potatoes and meat are traditionally eaten then, and when summer comes, everything possible is eaten from the Baltic and North Seas, which surround more than 400 islands.
Such an offer taught the Danes to enjoy the freshness of local seasonal products.
That is why Danish cuisine is one of the best in the world today.
In this post, I’ll share my suggestions for what you must try in Copenhagen as a budget traveler. Thanks to this choice, I never once felt like I was eating in one of the most expensive countries in the world.
1. Smørrebrød a traditional Danish classic
This “open” sandwich is probably the most famous Danish classic when it comes to food. Smørrebrød consists of a slice of rye bread with various combinations such as roast beef, pickled herring, eggs, which are covered with mayonnaise, shrimps, avocado or fried onions.
The sandwich originated back in the 19th century when it consisted only of bread, lard or butter.
Since then, smørrebrød has progressed at lightning speed and the sandwiches you can find today are a real masterpiece.
Danes eat this sandwich with a fork and knife, while most tourists try to conquer these towers of food with their hands.
The best sandwiches can be found in Torvehallerne, the food hall.
This hall is a real gastronomic gem and is a favorite of both tourists and locals. It consists of two buildings connected by a garden, where you can sit and eat what you choose. The halls are full of food counters and the choice will not be easy.
Another good suggestion for eating is Tivoli hall.
The offer here is different and has a more international character.
2. Frikadeleller – danish meatballs
These meatballs are very popular in Denmark.
They can be eaten for lunch or dinner, and today they can also be found in a sandwich as part of smørrebrød.
They are made quickly and easily from: meat, eggs, onions and spices, but today there are other versions of this famous Danish classic.
3. Danish pastries
It would be a real shame to miss a visit to a Danish bakery, which is full of sticky, sweet delicacies.
Danish pastries are known all over the world, but in fact they are not Danish at all. Namely, when the Danish bakers went on strike around 1850. they were replaced by bakers from Austria, who brought new skills with them.
They brought with them the technique of making dough with 27 layers, which we know today as puff pastry.
When the strike ended, local bakers adopted this technique but increased the amount of butter and eggs and a legend was born. Later, many Danes crossed the Atlantic and thus the fame of Danish pastries spread further.
4. Burgers
Danes take burgers very seriously. That is why it is not difficult to find a good burger in Copenhagen. If you are tired of fancy food in the city, which has a large number of Michelin-starred restaurants, then look for a burger on one of the street corners.
What distinguishes a good Danish burger?
Quality meat cooked at the right temperature and the right ratio of spices. Well-chosen toppings must not suffocate the juiciness and softness of the burger. Of course, there is also a carefully selected bun, which must be baked so that it does not become soggy to soon.
A burger is not complicated. It is food that will protect and comfort you on a rainy day when all you want to eat is something familiar and unpretentious. Burgers in Copenhagen have never disappointed me.
Many people associate Denmark with beer, but this time, I decided to try cedar juice. It was excellent and went perfectly with my juicy burger.
5. Danish donuts – æbleskiver
The name of these airy donuts literally means “apple slices”, with which these airy donuts were once filled. At some point the filling was gone and we now have donuts like the ones you can find under the Round Tower in the very center of the city.
They are eaten hot, with jam, honey, chocolate and dusted with sugar.
These donuts are made from fried dough. This is done in a special tray with holes. You can buy it everywhere in Denmark, but it is harder to find outside of Denmark. That’s why here is a souvenir that will remind you of Denmark forever.
6. Danish national dish – Stegt flæsk
If you thought that smorrebrod was the national dish, you were wrong. A few years ago, a vote for the national dish was organized in Denmark. The winner is Stegt flæsk whose name translates to fried pork strips or slices. The dish consists of crispy pork with potatoes and parsley sauce.
The victory did not surprise anyone because this traditional dish has been warming the soul and stomach of many Danes for centuries. In every restaurant you can find this dish on the menu and at an affordable price, so don’t hesitate.
7. Danish hot dog
Kiosks selling hot dogs are considered part of Danish cultural heritage.
Hot dogs have a long tradition in Denmark and they are also taken very seriously. There are many variants on offer. The hot dog can be in an open bun, or served the French way, in a bread hole, or else it is wrapped in bacon and topped with: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, remoulade and sprinkled with fried onions or cucumbers.
Today there are also many modern versions, so it is difficult to decide. Even the Danes can’t agree on which version is the best. A hotdog is usually accompanied with chocolate milk, but you can also drink beer.
You can find kiosks everywhere where there is a large concentration of people such as stations, bus stops, popular squares. Some kiosks are mobile and leave with their owners when the working hours are over.
8. Oysters
“When in Rome act like a Roman”. Denmark is surrounded by the sea and makes ample use of that fact. Everyone should try oysters at least once in their life.
The Danes have loved them since the dawn of time. They love them so much that they have oyster safaris as well as numerous festivals dedicated to these fruits of the sea.
Today, oysters are associated with luxury and fancy restaurants, but here in Denmark you can treat yourself to a plate like this with the addition of sparkling white wine for relatively decent money in Torvalhalla.
Drizzled with lemon and chili sauce, they carry all the freshness of the sea, from which they were pulled just a few hours ago.
In addition, oysters are considered an invasive species in Danish waters, so by eating them I did something good for Mother Nature.
9. Mussels
Speaking of seafood, be sure to try the mussels on Broens Island.
Juicy, meaty, served in a pot that you have to return if you want your deposit back, they’re some of the best things you can eat when you’re in Copenhagen.
There’s nothing better than knowing that they traveled a very short distance from the sea to your stomach. So enjoy this specialty in a relaxed atmosphere.
10. Fish and chips
Simple, fresh and delicious.
Unpretentiously served in a fišek, as befits quality food, which does not need any additional flavors.
One of the best fish I have eaten in my life.
11. Lobster
Do we need to waste words on this?
Served simply to highlight the natural beauty of this unique food. How can you not take advantage of the opportunity and dive into everything that the seas around Denmark have to offer?
12. Dessert
If you thought it was easy to choose something sweet in Copenhagen, take a look at these pictures.
There’s no better way to end the day than to choose one of these specialties and go watch the water.
Conclusion
And finally, if the Danes eat like this every day then it’s no wonder that “hygge” is their patent. That’s why I want to be a Dane in my next life.
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Have you tried these specialties?
Did I miss something?
Traveled and enjoyed,
Marko Veličković
