Norway

The Eating Guide to Ålesund & Sogndal, Norway

Norway

In the wilderness of the Norwegian countryside, it’s important to get warmed up in the cold climate. One of my best memories in Norway is curling up with a warm bowl of fish soup after getting a little bit too freeze up from the cold. The fish soup is the quintessential Norwegian dish that everyone must try.

It was also in this country that I got the chance to try such a large variety of fish. Every time I scan the menu in a café or a restaurant, there would always be a fish name that sounds foreign to me. The pristine waters along the Norwegian coastline makes it a great environment for marine life. Fish are in an abundance there, particularly salmon and cod. Dive into the wonderful world of Norwegian cuisine filled with freshly caught seafood and buttery flavours.

Look forward to: Fish soup 

Lyst

Region: Ålesund
Where: Kongensgate 12, Ålesund
What: Fish
For: A classy dining experience

Lyst is an unexpected find, as most establishments are closed on Mondays in the sleepy town of Ålesund. Complete with classy table settings and a small vase of fresh flowers on every table, the price range is slightly above average but the ambience is worth every penny. Upon viewing the menu, I was thrilled to see a number of local Norwegian dishes. The food, as pictured above, is a grilled chicken with a fresh lemony aftertaste, and a bacalao stew with bread. Bacalao is a type of salted cod fish, and in this case, it’s cooked in a tomato base stew which is a classic local dish in Northern Norway.

Lyspunktet Café

Region: Ålesund
Where: Kipervikgata 1A, 6003 Ålesund, Norway
What: Homemade cakes and fish soup
For: A quiet café

Lyspunktet Café is a cosy café that boasts a mouthwatering selection of homemade cakes, sandwiches and soups. The café prides itself on cooking from scratch. There is a comprehensive coffee menu, with coffee beans sourced from Precious Bean Roasters. This is the place to go if you want to hide your nose in a book as you wile your time away in the quiet ambience, sipping a cup of coffee.

Caffe Prego

Region: Sogndal
Where: AMFI Sogningen Storsenter, Hovevegen 4 – 6, 6856, Norway
What: Grilled chicken with pasta
For: Norwegian styled pastas

After many days of eating fish, I needed a break from the routine. Caffe Prego was a great find for pastas, and located within a shopping centre. Most of the pastas are cooked with either a delicious cream or tomato sauce. The winner for me is the grilled chicken accompanied with a side of creamy pasta. If you’re going for dinner, you might want to head there early as the café closes early.

The Eating Guide to Oslo, Norway

Norway

Amidst the Norwegian natural landscapes of endless fjords, towering mountains and pristine lakes, lies the vibrant city of Oslo. The capital of Norway is a city that boasts modernity, state of the art infrastructure and chic city dwellers. Despite the fact that it’s in late May, strong winds cutting through the streets is so common that most locals sport a leather jacket. On the other hand, I fear getting swept off my feet whenever I get close to Aker Brygge, the hip area for youngsters. To get warmed up, I escaped into the restaurants to try what the city had to offer.

Look forward to: Fish and seafood

Fiskeriet

Where: Fiskeriet Youngstorget, Youngstorget 2b, 0181 Oslo
What: Fish and chips
For: Seafood lovers

Fiskeriet needs no introduction. Locals frequent this tiny little shop that promises great seafood. Half of the shop is occupied by the fishmonger that sells fresh seafood. The other half is made up of bar counter seats and and a few tables. If you’re looking for a quick bite, swing by this place for their takeaway fish and chips. If you love seafood, all the more you should make a stop at Fiskeriet. The menu is small but is everything you can dream of if you’re a seafood lover. Choose from the classic fish and chips, bacalao or fish soup. For those who are into raw food, sashimi is also available accompanied with a generous helping of bread.

Olivia

Where: Stranden 3, 0250 Oslo, Norway
What: Norwegian Italian food
For: CBD crowd lovers

While you’re admiring the sea views of Aker Brygge, pop into Olivia, Oslo’s version of an Italian restaurant. Despite being a large restaurant, this place was packed since 7 in the evening. A mixture of businessmen having dinner, working women meeting up after work and the sound of wine glasses clinking; the atmosphere at Olivia is a good break away from rural Norway.

The food is a great example of how Italian cuisine can be redefined to suit the Norwegian taste. Spaghetti al Profumo di Mare is a seafood spaghetti with a lemon, buttery cream taste. Another dish to try is the Carpaccio di Tonno, which is a starter of sliced raw tuna topped with sea salt, rockets and olives.