After my recent visit to Iceland, where I showed you some of my favorite Icelandic foods, I’ve teamed up with dealchecker to share with you ‘A Taste of Iceland’- an infographic detailing even more of the country’s unique offerings!
While I was able to try several of these, many are new to me.
I really enjoyed the smoked lamb, although I’m happy that I didn’t find out that one of the components used in smoking it is dried sheep dung until after sampling the dish. That may have affected how excited I was to have tried it. But don’t let it stop you from trying it – it really is delicious.
The pylsur, or Icelandic hot dog, is one of the best hot dogs I’ve ever had. It’s simple, yet delicious. I love that they don’t bog it down with too many unnecessary condiments like chili and cheese. Sometimes less really is more.
As both a scuba diver and a foodie, I was really torn about whether to try the minke whale during my visit. In the end, I had it twice- once as a steak and once smoked. I much preferred the smoked version. The steak had an interesting flavor, but the consistency proved a challenge for me.
I was surprised by how much I loved lundi, or puffin, meat. We tried it during a seven course tasting dinner, and it was served as thin slices of smoked meat. It was so good I had my portion and my friend’s!
Of everything on this list, what I regret missing most is the plokkfiskur- the Icelandic stew. I love anything with mashed potatoes in it, and pairing them with fish, bread and butter sounds amazing. It will definitely be on the top of my list of dishes to seek out on my next visit.
We tried the fermented shark tapas style, and I found it had a really interesting but intense flavor. I was glad to be able to try the small sampling portion before committing to a larger serving.
I would like to have tried the sviô, or sheeps head! I actually tried it during a visit to Morocco, although there it was roasted rather than boiled.
Hrútspungar, or rams testicles may sound off putting to most, but in Oklahoma, where I’m from, they’re called calf fries or Rocky Mountain Oysters. They’re considered somewhat of a delicacy, although they’re are from bulls or calves, not rams. In the future, I’ll try them pickled, as the Icelandic prefer them, but back home we serve them deep fried.
The bleikja, or Arctic Char, is one of my favorite finds from Iceland. Not only does it taste amazing, but the texture is some of the best I’ve ever had. I had it several different ways during my visit, including grilled and in stews.
I always mention that I don’t have a sweet tooth, but I really did enjoy skyr, especially when it was paired with granola and fresh fruit. While most compare it to yogurt, I actually prefer the texture of skyr, as it’s actually a soft cheese.
During one of our dinners, we were each served a shot of the famous brennivin, or black death schnappes. I can see how it got its name! The closest thing I can compare it to is the rakia I’ve had when visiting Eastern Europe. Brennivin is so strong that we all agreed you could likely use it as jet fuel!
A Taste of Iceland is a graphic produced by dealchecker.co.uk
I already had dinner but man I’m hungry again, these dishes all look so yummy! Awesome to see how adventurous you were with trying the different local food. I’m a huge fish person so if I ever make it to Iceland I’ll definitely have to add Arctic Char to the food bucketlist 🙂
For sure- that’s one of the dishes I would most recommend!
Really informative info graphic there, detailing the foods.
I’ve been to Iceland and must admit that I was conflicted about the minke whale meat, purely for personal reasons.
Maybe if I go back, I’ll try it.
If you go back I recommend trying it smoked!
Whoa! I love the infographic you made! What app/software did you use?
Anyways, the only thing I tried when I was in Iceland was their hotdog. hehe
That’s all you had?!?! How long were you there for? As for the infographic actually the company I teamed up with to make this post produced it. It looks really great though, I agree.
I remember I had fish & chips a few times when I was in Iceland as there was a good restaurant around the corner from where I was staying. I did try a few different things though, I had the whale, but can’t remember what else. I certainly would never be trying the sheeps head or the rams testicles!!
What did you think of the whale? One time I had it and hated it and the next time it was so good!
Oh wow that food looks so amazing! I’ve got many reasons for wanting to go to Iceland but i’ve never really thought about the food there before. Now I want to go there just to eat haha
I had heard the food there was no good but I found lots of good food while I was there! So many reasons to visit Iceland- including the food!
This post makes me so hungry. Everything looks yummy and enticing. I like it when a traveler not only visits the place but also very open to try different cuisine in that place.
Trying all the new cuisines is the main reason I visit a new place! I’ve literally gone to destinations just because I heard they had good food!
I cannot say I did try much of these when I visited Iceland a year ago! I did really enjoy the lovely fresh fish though, yummy
I think the Hrútspungar, hahaha, only joking! The icelandic hot dog is the one I’d go for. I visited recently and the icelandic fish and chips are pretty good too.
Interesting. Though I’ve read several travel blogs on Iceland, never a food trial of Iceland! Now, that’s interesting!
That said being a veggie, my options here looks very less. The Mondlykaka & Vinarterta looks like I could try! Skyr looks yummy as well!!!
Whale, shark, puffin, sheep head, ram testicles! I don’t think I can be that adventurous. Did you try all of the foods you have listed?
Love the infographic! I agree that pylsur is one of the best hot dogs I’ve ever had! Unfortunately we didn’t delve too deep into the Icelandic cuisine during our trip last year – we usually self cater, so visiting grocery stores and cooking for ourselves is our thing. Though it was definitely an immersive experience grocery shopping with the locals, and I did attempt to cook fermented shark myself when we were back in our apartment :D!
I didn’t know that Iceland is a foodies paradise. Will definitely have to try some Hakarl when I am there. Not so sure about the Svið though 😀
Come on, be adventurous! Yeah, Iceland really delivered on the food front when I wasn’t expecting it to at all.
I was a bit worried about food for vegetarians, but I see that I won’t have to struggle at all in Iceland. Otherwise, I can always survive on coffee and cake too 🙂
There’s always coffee and cake! And in Iceland, skyr also!
Being a vegetarian , I am not sure whether I can try these out. There is Vinarterta and Mondlukaka! 🙂 Very well presented. Can bookmark and share this with meat loving friends!
Very informative post. I for sure would try a pylsur, the Icelandic hot dog and for sure I would not be brave enough to try fermented shark tapas. Thanks for sharing!
Oh what a delicious adventure! My kinda adventure. I’d love to try it the hot dogs. In Australia hot dogs are terrible.
I didn’t know there was so many traditional Icelandic dishes. I rarely eat meat anymore and so most of these dishes do not appeal to my senses at all anymore. Glad you were adventurous in trying out some new dishes.
This infographic is beautiful! I would love to try the skyr and the bleijka, when I visit Iceland one day. They look like some really delicious dishes.
I will definitely need to go try the food in Iceland! Looks so good and different from anything I’ve had before. I guess when you live in such a cold place you don’t really have a choice 😀
Wow, I didn’t try any of these! To be honest, I don’t know if I would be brave enough to try them. Perhaps on my next trip back!
I liked the way the subject was introduced in your article. I am not a foodie but some of them looks quite delicious. I would definitely want to try black death schnappe (hahaha) and live tell the tale. 🙂
Hello dear,
I just love your infographic. Last year I had visited Iceland with my family. At that time we saw so many places like Drangey, Hvitserkur, Akureyri, Kerlingarfjöll, Port of Reykjavik etc. We had eaten so many Icelandic seafood dishes. I just love Skyr. We really enjoyed our trip with the help of Discover Iceland. I hope we will get a second chance to visit this place again and again.
Thank you! Yes, Skyr is awesome. I’m really wanting to visit again during the winter to see the ice caves.
I will definitely need to go try the food in Iceland! Looks so good and different from anything. Thanks for the yummiest post.
I was really surprised by how great the food was! I hope you make it there soon- you’ll love it!