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12 Worst Rated Scandinavian Saltwater Fish Dishes

Last update: Sun Feb 16 2025
12 Worst Rated Scandinavian Saltwater Fish Dishes
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Lutefisk is a Scandinavian dish made from dried whitefish that's been treated with lye, resulting in the fish having a gelatinous consistency and often, depending on the type of whitefish, a very strong, pungent odor. Both the Swedes and the Norwegians claim the dish as their own, but lutefisk is also prepared in Finland and in the United States, namely in the state of Minnesota, where it's predominantly consumed by Scandinavian immigrants.


After it's been cooked, the lye-treated fish is served with an array of side dishes. In Norway, it is typically served with boiled potatoes, mashed green peas, melted butter, and pieces of fried bacon, whereas a side of white sauce in combination with previously mentioned boiled potatoes and green peas is the traditional choice of Swedes and Finns.

MOST ICONIC Lutefisk

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Fiskeboller, literally meaning fish balls, is a classic Norwegian dish made from minced white fish, flour, eggs, and milk. A hearty dinner staple for most Norwegians, fiskeboller are typically served in thick white sauce along with steamed vegetables, usually carrots, and boiled potatoes.


Since they resemble dumplings, they are also commonly referred to as fish dumplings and are typically made from cod, haddock, or pollock. Eaten on their own, the fish balls have a very mild, almost bland taste, which is why a favored version calls for the addition of curry powder and shrimp to the plain béchamel sauce for an exotic twist to the dish and a more pleasing flavor. 
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Fried pickled herring is a Danish classic that is characterized by its tender texture and mild acidity. Herring fillets are dusted with breadcrumbs or flour, shortly fried until crispy, then submerged in a lightly sweetened brine that is often spiced and enriched with vegetables.


Pickled herring is a Danish staple that is typically served as a topping on traditional open-faced smørrebrød sandwiches, but it is also commonly enjoyed as a starter or a part of the buffet-style meal service and holiday feasts.

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Saltwater Fish Dish

WESTERN NORWAY, Norway
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Plukkfisk is a traditional fish dish originating from Norway and it's especially popular in coastal settlements of Western Norway. The dish consists of potatoes, pieces of fish, and onions cooked in a bechamel sauce. Cod is traditionally used, but some people like to use pollock instead.


There are many variations on the dish, but it's usually made with a combination of cod, potatoes, onions, leeks, chives, butter, salt, white pepper, bacon slices, and bechamel sauce (butter, flour, milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper). Once done, plukkfisk is often topped with crispy bacon, and the dish is served with a flatbread on the side. 
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Stekt strömming or fried herring is a hearty Swedish specialty consisting of herring fillets that are seasoned with salt, white pepper, and fresh dill, coated with flour and breadcrumbs, then fried in butter until crisp and golden brown on the outside.


There are many ways to eat and serve these delicious fish fillets, but usually, they are accompanied by mashed potatoes, lingonberries or lingonberry jam, red onions, or pickled cucumbers. Another way to consume fried herrings is by topping them with a mixture of vinegar, sugar, allspice, and chopped red onions, which is also used in another Swedish fish dish known as inlagd sill (pickled herring). 

MOST ICONIC Stekt strӧmming

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Persetorsk is a traditional fish dish originating from Bergen. The dish is usually made with a combination of cod, sugar, salt, dill, bacon, and a sauce consisting of shallots, green peas, crème fraîche, vinegar, and dill. The cod is pressed for a long time in a solution of sugar and salt, and the fish is then cut into pieces and fried in bacon fat until the skin becomes crispy.


The fried pieces of cod are served on a plate and the sauce is poured over it. The dish is traditionally served with munavoi, a mixture of hard-boiled eggs and butter.

MOST ICONIC Persetorsk

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Inlagd sill or pickled herring is a Swedish fish dish that has long been served in Sweden at Midsummer, Christmas, and Easter celebrations. The dish consists of cleaned, skinned, and salted herring that is soaked in a marinade of vinegar, sugar, chopped onions and carrots, allspice, bay leaves, pepper, and crushed peppercorns.


Before serving, the fish is cut into thick slices and it is traditionally garnished with minced red onion and sprigs of fresh dill. As always, Swedish snaps (shots of strong alcoholic beverages) are more than welcome to accompany this dish.

MOST ICONIC Inlagd Sill

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Stegt rødspætte is a traditional fish dish consisting of pan-fried plaice. The dish is usually made with a combination of plaice, rye flour, olive oil, butter, lemon, parsley, salt, pepper, and new potatoes. The fish is patted dry, seasoned with salt and pepper, and coated with rye flour.


It is then fried in a pan in a mixture of olive oil and butter on both sides until fully cooked. In another pan, butter is cooked with lemon slices and parsley. The fish is served on a plate and it’s topped with butter, lemon, and parsley. Boiled new potatoes make a classic accompaniment to this fish dish.

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Danish fiskefrikadeller are traditional pan-fried fish patties. They are made with a creamy mixture of ground white fish fillets, eggs, milk, onions, and various spices and fresh herbs. Some varieties often incorporate cream, breadcrumbs, and other seafood ingredients such as salmon and shrimps.


These nutritious fish cakes are enjoyed as the main course and are usually accompanied by buttered boiled potatoes, Danish rémoulade, and lemon wedges.

MOST ICONIC Fiskefrikadeller

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Sursild is a Norwegian pickled fish delicacy that is traditionally consumed during the winter holiday season, particularly on Christmas. The dish is usually made by combining slices of salted herring, onion slices, and a variety of spices such as allspice, black peppercorns, and mustard seeds in a jar, which is then filled with a boiled vinegar-based mixture.


A common breakfast meal, the pickled fish is usually consumed with slices of fresh bread, smeared with butter, and topped with onion slices, or with a side of boiled potatoes as a part of a large dinner. In Norway, jars of pre-made pickled herrings are also sold in numerous supermarkets in the country.

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Scandinavian Saltwater Fish Dishes