Bergen cuisine - the taste of the sea and the spirit of Northern Europe

Bergen, Norway's oldest port city, is not only famous for its rows of ancient wooden houses by the bay, but also for its unique cuisine, rich in the sea and imbued with the Nordic spirit.

Salmon is an indispensable ingredient in every Bergen meal. This fish is caught from the cold seas, where the clear and clean water helps the fish meat to be firm and fatty. One of the traditional ways of preparing it is gravlaks, or pickled salmon. People marinate the fish with salt, sugar, dill and black pepper, then leave it in the refrigerator for a few days to ferment slightly. When eaten, the fish is sliced ​​thinly, often served with rye bread and honey mustard sauce. The fish is soft, fragrant, slightly sweet and has a light fat content, creating a very typical taste experience of the Nordic region.

In addition to gravlaks, salmon is also smoked using the traditional method. The fish is cleaned, salted, and hung in a cold smokehouse, where oak or juniper smoke creates a distinctive flavor. The smoking process lasts between 12 and 24 hours, allowing the fish to retain its natural moisture, sweetness, and aroma. Smoked salmon is often served at a Bergen breakfast, accompanied by boiled eggs and rye bread.

Cod is also an iconic Bergen ingredient. Since medieval times, dried cod – called stockfish – has been exported from Bergen across Europe. Today, cod remains central to many traditional dishes. One such dish is bacalao – a Mediterranean-style cod stew – which Bergenians have adapted using local ingredients.

Dried cod is soaked in water until soft, then stewed with tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic and olives. The dish has a slightly salty, fatty and aromatic taste, very suitable for cold days. Another popular dish is fried cod cakes. The fish is ground, mixed with flour, eggs, onions and spices, then shaped and fried, served with boiled potatoes and sour cream sauce. The crispy outside, soft inside and the fragrant smell of cod create a dish that is both rustic and attractive.

Bergen cuisine is a harmonious combination of fresh ingredients from the sea and traditional Nordic cooking methods. Each dish is not only a taste experience, but also a cultural slice reflecting the people here's attachment to nature, history and the slow pace of life of an ancient port city.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/am-thuc-bergen-huong-vi-bien-ca-va-tinh-than-bac-au-716177.html