Hej Friends!
I hope this blog finds you well. My name is Rita Pham and this summer, I’m studying abroad in Scandinavia. A little about me, I’m entering my senior year at the University of Kansas as a political science and Chinese student. Cooking and food are important outlets of mine to navigate the mundaneness of life through self-expression and celebration of culture. As part of this once-in-a-lifetime journey, I wanted to challenge myself in a creative sense and thus, that’s why you’re reading my thoughts right now.
This article is going to entail all of my food recommendations, along with overall culinary thoughts during my stay in Sweden for 3 weeks!
Swedish Meatballs
A classic Swedish meal, Swedish meatballs are an iconic cuisine that as an Ikea-loving American, I really wanted to experience it at least once. In fact, I got to try this dish twice!
Svenska Gardskok – $
I had lunch at Svenska Gardskok during my first day of class and decided that I wanted to try out the classic meal. Since it was a smaller restaurant, they only offered veal meatballs as the main protein option, but I was more than happy to try something more traditional. Along with these meatballs, my meal came with a side of the creamiest mashed potatoes with gravy and raw stirred Lingonberries and gherkins. The meal ended up totaling $22.28 since I also had an order of garden french fries, a nachos-style connection with spicy mayo on top!
Overall, I enjoyed the meal and thought it was well-balanced and flavored, at least better than the ones in the American IKEAs. I would say the side was too large for a single person and I recommend sharing it with 2 plus folks. 8.5/10 Happy Rita.
Meatballs for the people – $$
The next time I had some Swedish meatballs was during my second week, at the highly acclaimed restaurant, Meatballs For The People. I ended up ordering something less traditional, which was a simple spaghetti and meatballs. I once again chose the veal option. However, I must note that there was a large variety of proteins you could’ve picked from, from pork, beef, and chicken to more exotic ones such as reindeer. Although it was an excellent experience, from the bar top to getting to see the chefs work in real-time, I found that the food was much less exhilarating than I anticipated. Perhaps it was my fault for choosing pasta but even the meatballs were not what I was expecting. It was a little too salty for my liking but I think that’s simply personal preferences!
The cocktail was strong and delicious though! I also stole a bite of mashed potato from my friends and it was delicious! 7.7/10 Happy Rita.
Lunch
Bla Porten Restaurant & Cafe – $$
We were going to the ABBA Museum that day and my gosh, I was starving before we even started exploring. The group was looking for a decent sit-down spot and stumbled upon this gem! A well-decorated garden full of luscious greenery, Bla Porten was an outdoor restaurant and cafe that had a variety of options from staple Swedish pastries and lunch items such as pre-made sandwiches, seasonal soup, salads, and even fish! I got one of the prosciutto sandwiches and it was yum! Additionally, I ordered a garden salad with couscous, zucchini, and other fresh greens.
The ambiance was very refreshing and a great place for a few pictures. 9.1/10 Happy Rita.
One more Vietnamese Smak – $
By far, one of the more affordable places I went to during this trip. I only spent $17 bucks here and got both an appetizer and a main. I ordered a Pork Bun Thit Nuong, a Vietnamese vermicelli noodle salad with cucumbers, fermented carrots, mints, and grilled pork. I also got some spring rolls to start the party! After finishing my meal, I felt a little lackluster as the fish sauce was a little bland and it was missing the “body” for lack of a better word. Maybe that’s simply because I have had high standards as a Vietnamese who has eaten Vietnamese food my whole life, but it felt like the flavor profile was more catered to the Swedish palette. The owners were super sweet though, a husband and wife duel in a small hole-in-the-wall spot. I do recommend taking it to go since there isn’t much space in the restaurant and enjoying the meal in the park! 7.5/10 Happy Rita.
Elviras – $
Near the canal and main shopping area of Uppsala, a historic town north of Stockholm, Elviras was a place where my friends and I spontaneously sat down for a restful and hearty meal. I ended up getting a Caesar salad despite my self-proclaimed need for something heavy, however, I promise it was still a scrumptious meal! Topped with a huge piece of fried chicken and the softest parmesan cheese, the salad was one of the best and most enjoyable Caesars I had ever indulged in. I highly recommend getting this salad if you have the chance to explore Uppsala for a day trip. Otherwise, the Vodka pasta that a few of my gals got was also highly enjoyable, at least from the few bites I had from their plates. 9.1/10 Happy Rita
Rosendals Trädgård – $
The garden at Rosendals is a small-scale organic garden and farm that’s focused on sustainable living and nutritious foods. Both for sightseeing and for a relaxed lunch in the rain, I had a peaceful day to myself exploring this beautiful place. Similar to Bla Porten, it’s a wonderful spot to grab food and snap a few pictures while you’re at it. Instead of ordering a full entree, I just picked up a hummus plate and some strawberry shortcakes from their premade table. It was indeed the best hummus I’ve ever tasted in my life. Sometimes, I struggle with hummus tasting bitter or too saturated with olive oil. However, this hummus was as smooth as peanut butter and refreshing with cucumbers, olives, radishes, and other greenery. The cake was also a delicious pairing with my Sencha green tea! Side note, I sat outside and enjoyed my lunch with a light sprinkle under an umbrella and undoubtedly, it was very purifying for my mental health. 9.4/10 Happy Rita.
Nha Trang Restaurant – $$
Another Vietnamese restaurant on the list! By this point, I was getting a little homesick and needed some Vietnamese food. Unfortunately, I don’t think this spot scratched the itch for me. I rarely care about customer service but the atmosphere did not feel very welcoming. I also felt that the food was not particularly special, and was missing some freshness. Maybe I was just having an off day so I hope this doesn’t put anyone off trying. 7.1/10 Happy Rita.
Oktav – $
A restaurant within a bustling building, Oktav was the restaurant within my program building where I went to school every day. During our break, I would often stop by for a quick lunch with my usual choices being a chicken salad or the item of the day with a side of their bread and garden salad. Not only were the meals affordable, but it was very well made, fresh, and seasoned. I highly recommend stopping by for a short lunch. Their Caesar renewed my craving for Caesar salads during my stay with the most scrumptious and soft chicken. 8.7/10 Happy Rita.
Dinner
Trattoria – $$
Located in the heart of Gamla Stan, where the iconic buildings and the Nobel Prize Museum are located, Trattoria is an Italian restaurant gathered to hungry tourists. I must admit I was too hungry to think and sat down at the first restaurant with pasta without looking for a review or the menu. The food was delicious. I ordered the Spaghetti Frutti Di Mare which was pasta with seafood such as octopus, scampi, mussels, and white wine. It was more expensive than the average Swedish restaurant, which may be due to my cup of mojito, but even then I feel that there are other cheaper restaurants nearby with similar quality. 8.7/10 Happy Rita.
Thai Boat – $$$
Probably one of the best meals I had during my stay in Sweden. Thai boat is authentic Thai food on a boat, hence the name. I ordered your classic shrimp pad thai, and let me tell you, it was a seasoning bomb, fresh, the noodles were perfectly cooked and the sauce was not too sweet. In fact, it was so good that I had a cocktail and 3 other shots during the duration of this culinary experience. If you get motion sickness easily, you should take some medicine before getting on the boat since it was slightly rocking. I ended the meal by splitting banana pancakes topped with chocolate syrup with a friend. Truly a must-try. 9.5/10 Happy Rita.
Glenn Miller Cafe – $$
Unlike what the name suggests, Glenn Miller is not your simple cafe. Located in Hortoget, Glenn Miller is a haute French restaurant with a live jazz band every night! We went there without a reservation on a Sunday night expecting it to not be busy, however, upon arriving I was sorely mistaken. We then returned on a Monday with 6 people and enjoyed one of the best experiences I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. I got to try Ratatouille for the first time! Although I usually don’t enjoy vegetarian dishes, I thoroughly, and I mean, thoroughly enjoyed this dish. Truly, I felt like the critic from the Ratatouille movie. Moreover, I might’ve been slightly biased as I stayed long enough for the band to play the Girl From Ipanema, a French remix with the smoothest voice. I couldn’t have been any happier with dinner. Note that the band is on every night after 8 pm, but you do need local cash to pay the band. 9.6/10 Happy Rita.
Aifur – $$$
Also located in Gamla Stan, Aifur is the iconic Viking-themed restaurant that is great for those who love a good theatrical dining experience. Upon walking into the restaurant, the name of the person who booked the reservation will be proudly announced after gathering the attention of all present guests through a Viking horn and followed by applause by guests to warmly welcome the party. Not only that, the menu in itself is quite fun to read, with each main entree with its own backstory tying back to Viking tradition and stories. I went with “Indulgence of the Raven Lord,” a flat steak with parsnip cake, Brussels sprouts, and pork belly topped with a wine sauce. The steak was perfectly cooked, and the ambiance was pure joy as each table was talking and laughing in the low light. Additionally, I would say a drink is a must. Although I had a non-memorable cocktail, my girlfriends all tried a different flavor of their housemade mead, and need not say, they were raving nonstop about it. Please note it’s not the best place for a vegetarian. 9.2/10 Happy Rita.
Overall, my culinary experience in Sweden has been a pleasant and rather short experience that I will continue to think about as I move through my transfer to Copenhagen as my next European destination. As I finished writing this blog, I came to realize how truly important food is to my understanding of my surrounding environments, the way I perceive culture, and how the memories of certain events and people are withheld within these meals. I hope that my review was slightly entertaining to read and mostly helpful for anyone looking for a good meal! adjö!