Kimberly Geswein

Senior, English Major

*Kimberly is from Kansas City, and Professor "Jayne" Marek is from ???

"You simply cannot leave Oslo without trying kebab!" While these words might sound a little bizarre, they were written in by Norwegian native Britt Ellefsaeter. Sure, Norway is known for traditional foods, like reindeer, lutefisk, and lefse, but kebab remains an unexpected gem in the culinary world of Norway. 
Of course, travelers to Norway must also be sure to get their fair share of authentic Norwegian dishes during their stay. Some kind of reindeer dish is a must for everyone. From reindeer stew to reindeer burgers to the side-street reindeer hot dog, there's a reindeer for every kind of person. Similar to venison, reindeer is a tasty, hearty meat with lots of flavor and very little fat.
Salmon lovers will find Norway a true delight. The Norwegians, with their enormous coastline and fishing, have a wide array of fish dishes, with salmon being their specialty. Bergen is the city to hit for salmon; adventurous travelers may even find interest in the fresh fish market on the the fjord coastline. 
Those who enjoy a nice crepe will find the Norwegian lefse a particularly satisfying treat. Lefse is a thin, rolled crepe-like potato pancake lined with butter, sugar and cinnamon. While certainly not a health food, lefse, accompanied by a large mug of hot cocoa, is a great afternoon snack for a weary traveler.
In true European fashion, the Norwegians have perfected the art of excellent chocolate. The Freia brand Melkesjokolade bars are a classically rich, sweet bar of milk chocolate. Other varieties under the Freia brand are all excellent in quality and flavor. Hershey fans need not apply; Norwegian chocolate is for those who will settle for nothing less than the highest quality.
Norwegian cheese, like Norwegian chocolate, is a must-have for every traveler. There are two basic varieties that should be tried. Brunost, or brown cheese, is perhaps the more unusual variety. It has a flavor similar to peanut butter with a cream cheese like texture. It is best eaten alone or on bread. 
The second variety of cheese is the "Swiss" style cheeses. The most common types of these are Norvegia and Jarlsberg. Jarlsberg is a slightly nuttier version of Norvegia, which is referred to as the cheese for non-cheese lovers. A savvy cheese-loving tourist might sample both cheeses and try to pinpoint the subtle nuances that separate the two cheeses. 
The Norwegians, of course, have their "interesting" foods that may not appeal to the international traveler.
Lutefisk is one of those foods Apparently, lutefisk is made by taking cod fish and soaking it in lye. No, that wasn't a typo, it is really soaked in lye, as in the stuff soap is made of. While lye is normally poisonous, the lutefisk is rinsed thoroughly before being served, which removes all traces of the poison. Lutefisk can be found at nicer authentic Norwegian restaurants.
On that same list falls the squeezey cheese with unusual additives. As if squeezey cheese alone weren't sacrilegious enough, the grocery stores in Norway stock small tubes of yellowish cheese with chunks of caviar, shrimp, and ham inside. Supposedly, the cheese is served on crackers and bread for a snack. 
Perhaps the Norwegians most challenging food for foreigners to encounter is their breakfast pickled fish relish. Those who stay in hotels with full breakfasts will most likely encounter this unusual breakfast food. Little chunks of fish are served in a variety of pickled relish bases to serve on bread. 
As for that kebab, well, kebab is a true Norwegian delight. The Norwegians claim it is a Turkish food, but this traveler has never seen it anywhere else in the world! From Hong Kong to Hungary, there have been lots of interesting international foods, but kebab has only surfaced in Norway. Indeed, the streets of Oslo are packed with kebab stands. From the seedy Dennis Kebab to the highly acclaimed Beirut Kebab, it is an easy to find, inexpensive meal on the go. Be sure to order a fork though, as it can get a bit messy.
With its juicy bits of lamb, spicy paprika-laden sauce, fresh tomatoes, and-- in true Norwegian fashion-- corn, kebab is a party in a pita. Ellefsaeter's advice is right on the money-- Norwegian, Turkish, whatever ethnicity you'd like to apply to it-- if you're in Oslo you must have kebab.
 

Dennis Kebab, nearby our hotel in Oslo.

Pickled fish breakfast at our hotel in Bergen. Also served at our hotel in Oslo.

Squeezey cheese with, from top, bacon, ham, and shrimp.