These are the top five traditional Norwegian dishes that your host family will eat many times per week.

#1. Salmon and Cod

These are some of my favorite fresh fish. I guarantee you’ll be enjoying this fish at least once a day with your host family. Don’t forget to get online dissertation help to focus more on preparing foods.

#2. Bread with Palegg in Norway 

This is the norm for breakfast and lunch. Although we don’t eat Palegg, there is no English term for it. It can be anything you’d put on bread. Peanut butter, jelly and other lunch meats are all possible. If you travel to Norway, this will be a staple food that you will eat daily. This bread is not meant to be eaten as a sandwich. It must be eaten in two pieces. Although I do not like Palegg bread, I believe it is part and parcel of the flavor.

#3. Brunost (or Norwegian-Brunost)

It is a type of brown cheese. It is a combination of goat and cow’s milk and is a sweet, brown cheese. The milks are boiled over high heat for several hours. After that, the water evaporates. It turns the milk sugars into caramel, which gives it its brown color. Brunost is definitely something that takes some getting used to, and I find myself somewhere in the middle. I’m still not sure what I think of the cheese. I suspect my taste buds are still getting used both to the sweet flavor and the sticky texture.

#4. Potatoes

This is an easy one. Norwegians love potatoes and will eat them as a side dish with every meal. Expect to see them boiled in no seasoning, in vessels, mashed, and served in just about any way you can imagine. If you think you are eating spaghetti and meatballs for dinner then you might be wrong. You could also be enjoying red sauce, meatballs, or potetbater (potato boat). This is definitely something that you will be having every night!

#5. Norwegian Meat

It is moose, reindeer lamb, lamb and elk with brown sauce. I call these meats “Norwegian Meats” since they are something I have not eaten before I moved to Norway. People probably have had lamb before they arrived in Norway. I hadn’t. Reindeer is my favorite meat, and it’s the only one I enjoy eating. It is usually served with Norwegian brown sauce or Brun sauce. I’m not entirely sure what it is made from. It is a sweet and creamy sauce, which is brown. Norwegians LOVE brun saus! My host family even eats it with spoons after they have finished the meal.

These are traditional Norwegian dishes that you’ll eat often with your host family. Even though they may not be the same as what you’re used to, it’s important to try them all. You might be surprised at how different they are! 

This is the fun bit. Norwegian sweets, baked goods, and desserts are amazing! They’re experts at baking! These are the 5 best sweets to try in Norway.

#6. Freia Melkesjokolade Freia

Freia is Norway’s Hershey. But 100 times better. Norway has excellent dairy so milk chocolate is delicious. This is a must-have dessert and one that Norwegians will always eat, whether they are “gap tur” skiing or not. Freia is so good that, if one stands at Karl Johans Gate and looks down at Freia, you’ll see the Freia logo. This logo was needed by Freia because the king loved it so much.

#7. Boller

Boller can be described as a sweet bun. It is popular in Norway. There are two options for them: with raisins or without. Personally, I prefer them without. They are easy to find and they are delicious. They are easily found at all grocery stores.

#8. Skoleboller

Skoleboller is a Norwegian dessert that uses coconut. Coconuts don’t naturally grow in Norway. They are a variant of the traditional Boller. It’s a Boller stuffed with custard and topped with coconut flakes. These can be found in every grocery, bakery, convenience store and more across the country.

#9. Waffles

Norwegian waffles can be very different to American waffles. They are crispier, thinner, and come in smaller shapes. They can also be eaten without butter, syrup, and a knife or fork. Norwegian waffles may be served with jam, brunost, butter, sugar, or both. These can be enjoyed with your hands just like pizza. These are very popular to have with friends when you grill or go “ga pa Tur” with them.

#10. Norwegian Pancakes

They are quite different from American pancakes. Because they are thin, these pancakes are similar to French crepes. Norwegian pancakes are not usually topped with butter or syrup. They were a favorite of my mother, who made them for me and my siblings throughout our lives. I would always eat them with maple syrup and jelly. You can eat them with sugar, lemon, or jelly in Norway. It sounds strange to use sugar and lemon, but it’s really good!

The last group includes random foods that Norwegians all eat. These foods do not include traditional Norwegian foods that all Norwegian families will eat on an everyday basis. Here are 3 non-Norwegian foods you can enjoy with your host family.

#11. Fredagstaco, a Friday Taco 

Norwegian Fredagstaco was probably the first thing I have eaten almost every Friday since arriving in Norway. 8.2% of all Norwegians eat tacos on Friday. It’s a Norwegian-inspired variation of the traditional taco. It is one of my least favourite foods that I have tried in Norway. They usually contain flour tortillas and ground beef with taco seasoning, Norwegian avocado and a little bit of lime, corn, and tomato paste. While I don’t mean to sound too spoilt when I say this, I think I am used to a more traditional taco. I like something more traditional and less bland.

#12. Grandiosa Pizza

Before Fredagstaco became a huge success in Norway, Norwegians had pizza Fridays with Grandiosa frozen Pizza. Although it is not traditional, Grandiosa frozen pie is very similar to the taco. Jarlsberg cheese, a Norwegian cheese, is used in the making of these frozen pizzas. It is also a Norwegian-inspired pizza. There are many toppings available, including a Fredagstaco-style pizza. The pizza is good, but not great.

#13. Polser

Polser is a Norwegian hot dog. While they could be called sausages or hot dogs, they are still not sausages. While you’re grilling with friends and family, you’ll be enjoying Polser. They can be enjoyed in the same manner as hot dogs, but they are served in hot dog rolls with mustard, ketchup, and/or crispy onion. Although I enjoy hot dogs, they are not my favorite food. When you’re out with friends, it is fun to grill them!

Norway offers a variety of traditional and nontraditional foods that are enjoyed every day. Norwegian traditional food is brown and has little flavor. Non-traditional Norwegian foods, however, are very random and mix Norwegian cuisine with other cuisines. These are all food you should try when you visit Norway. 

Adrian Lomezzo