The horrible Icelandic Yule lads were a gruesome bunch of trolls that terrorized children and stole food from hungry peasants around Christmas. You should definitely give it a try as it has been in the life of Icelanders for about 80 years now. The Christmas Traditions of Iceland December has arrived, along with record breaking amounts of snow , turning Reykjavik into a winter wonderland. If the sky is clear, your Iceland Christmas can even be enhanced by the dazzling display of the Northern Lights as it reflects across the snow-covered landscape of this fantastic place. Another recommended restaurant is The Red House (Rauða Húsið). Made with butter, sugar, milk, flour eggs and raisins. Their parents were the horrible ogre Grýla who ate naughty children and her bedridden lazy no-good husband Leppaludi. Another recommended restaurant is. This, Try looking up recipes and baking some of these desserts at home. Over in Iceland, Christmas Eve is celebrated with something called Jolabokaflod. It’s simply delicious! If you have any questions or need more tips on Christmas foods in Iceland, please write a comment below. Ham, smoked lamb and ptarmigan – these 3 main meat dishes are by far the most common and popular Christmas cuisines that every Icelander will eat on Christmas Eve. It is perfect for a Christmas mood. This is NOT so strange since the country has approximately 800.000 sheep and lambs and approximately 330.000 citizens. #9. until the meat reduces to half of its weight. In Iceland, you can’t spell Christmas without Laufabraud, figuratively speaking. This is also a big shopping day for last minute gifts, with stores remaining open until midnight. Clementines – Icelandic Christmas rimes with Clementines! You should know that Icelandic cuisine has been introducing vegan and vegetarian options for this increasingly growing community of locals and tourists. Are you planning on traveling to Iceland during the Christmas season? It is kept in storage for some time to make the taste very strong. Icelandic Christmas Traditions. The … If you do not know it already – the Icelanders love food! Liquorice tops – (lakkrís toppar) – Icelanders are BIG suckers for liquorice, so when it comes to baking typical Icelandic Christmas cakes, the Icelanders naturally make good use of liquorice in their delicious Christmas cakes. They invite all tourist that come to visit this island every year to learn and enjoy the diversity of its people, drinks and unique specialties. Let me tell you about hangikjöt, a very tasty and savory dish often served with potatoes, peas and creamy sauce. Car Rental Iceland. Costco Iceland: Low prices or fair prices? Today smoked meat is considered a nation´s favorite and is still an essential part on the Christmas table. EXPERIENCE: 7 One-of-a-Kind Christmas Traditions from Around the World The country's book publishers have taken note on the holiday popularly in book sales. Additionally the marinated herring can be served with delicious sauces and complimentary garnish. Try looking up recipes and baking some of these desserts at home. Fermented skate – okay so this is one of the weird Christmas dishes! Tradition tells us that the key to a nice hangikjöt is to cure the meat first with salt and spices. Christmas in Iceland begins on December 24 right at 6 p.m., when a traditional dinner of smoked meals and picked red cabbage is served. Check out our articles for travel tips and inspiration for your trip to Iceland. and also including potatoes prepared in many different ways. Just think of the classic Fanta but with a slightly sweeter taste. I am sure that you will love sharing some of these traditional cakes with your friends and family. Icelandic food enthusiast Esther Martin-Ullrich writes on her blog Why’d You Eat That that laufabrauð recipes are passed down from mother to daughter, but ingredients follow a similar pattern: Leaf bread is often seasoned with caraway, one of the most beloved spices in Icelandic cooking (Brennivín, Iceland’s signature schnapps drink, is also flavored with caraway). What Makes Christmas in Iceland Special? A main attraction on the Christmas table is the traditional hangikjöt, or smoked lamb, served hot or cold with béchamel sauce, potatoes, green peas, and red cabbage. This dish is typically eaten on the 23rd of December, also known as St. Thorlákurs day, since Thorlákur was an Icelandic saint who died on this date in the 12th century. Also, did you know that our amazing guides at the Reykjavik Food Walk Tour, know all there is to know about Christmas foods in Iceland and MUCH muuuuch more! It really all depends on the generation – as the elder generation most likely will enjoy this dish, whereas the younger generation more commonly will consider it as a fun tradition – particuarly enjoyed with friends in the company of Icelandic liqueur. I think Reykjavik is a beautiful city all year long, but Christmas time, that is when this little city really shines. In the old days in Iceland it was hard to purchase the ingredients for making this kind of bread. They’ve got lots of options for fish lovers and vegetarians. While decorated bread is also a tradition in quite a few countries, round … They boil the meat as the final touch. Personally, I prefer marinated herring with a curry dressing and raw onions! This means there are 2,5 sheep for every human being in Iceland! The … Typical Icelandic foods at Christmas are at the heart of Icelandic traditions. Stews made with tofu, delicious carrot and mushroom soups, and even nut loaves are among the meatless dishes you should sample. It’s a mix of fish, potatoes, onions, and béchamel sauce.… The Icelanders have different traditions when it comes to eating this mouthwatering food – some eat it as a Christmas breakfast food, whereas some eat it as a dessert and some even make a fun food game while eating it. For a festive season that’s full of surprises, shop Iceland’s range of great value Christmas food, from turkey crowns and sweets to party food and puds. If you are coming to Iceland around that special time of the year, you are in luck as there are plenty of delicious foods for you to try. It is a thin, crispy and beautiful decorated flatbread that can be served both plain or with powdered sugar. Ham, smoked lamb and ptarmigan – these 3 main meat dishes are by far the most common and popular Christmas cuisines... #2. Isn’t eating just the best way to dive into Icelandic culture? Jólakaka is a traditional Christmas sponge cake but it is so good and tasty that nowadays it is prepared all year round. They’ve got lots of options for fish lovers and vegetarians. #4. The Icelandic Christmas season lasts 26 days. I for one, am not a fan of the taste, but I do however drink this from time to time, as it is considered to be Icelandic´s signature distilled spirit with a guaranteed FUN night following ahead. Looking for a cool bar in town? Christmas Traditions in the Iceland – Þorláksmessa . It is a very cozy Icelandic Christmas tradition and speciality since families nowadays gather together taking great pride in decorating and making these tasty leaf breads as pretty as possible. Well, then I highly recommend the awesome Reykjavik Bar Crawl, where you will be able to try this traditional Icelandic spirit and many more great alcoholic beverages. Whoever gets the almond receives a Christmas gift!!! If you try to directly translate Jolabokaflod, it means ‘a flood of books’. #5. This is definitely one of Iceland´s most traditional Christmas drinks and every Icelandic will have a strong opinion on the perfect mixture of these two drinks. Typical Icelandic foods at Christmas include roasted lamb, pork loin and even horse meat. Nowadays people simply hang a large piece of meat to smoke it for a while with manure (or without). There are so many different Christmas Cookies, the most classical ones are called “Piparkökur” (Ginger Snaps), “mömmukökur” (Ginger snap styled cookies with white frosting) and “Hálfmánar” (jam preserves wrapped in cookie dough). It is eaten with potatoes and lambfat. Leaf Bread (Laufabrauð) Made of a thin, waferlike dough, this crisp flatbread is a holiday tradition in … You may also see Jólabókaflóðið referenced as the annual release of new titles in Iceland, which has now turned into a seasonal tradition for the publishing industry. My special pick is Einstök Icelandic doppelbock. Some of the typical Icelandic foods at  Christmas will, of course, include homemade butter cookies. #10. Iceland has 13 Santa Clauses. Each and every dish comes prepared using unique local recipes that will most … Þorláksmessa is celebrated 2 days before Christmas day on 23 rd of December. The world is embracing Iceland's jolabokaflod Christmas Eve tradition, where friends and family give books as gifts, then settle in for a night of reading, often with a cup of hot chocolate. This one is my personal favorites. How Long Does It Take to Drive Around Iceland’s Ring Road? This blog will highlight FUN Icelandic Christmas traditions, local cuisines, Icelandic lamb and the traditional Icelandic foods and drinks that are consumed during the Christmas season in Iceland. Brennivín aka “The Black Death” – just the name itself, of this very traditional and popular distilled beverage in Iceland, does not sound that appealing! If you want to try these delicious breads, you can find them in almost any supermarket in Iceland during the Christmas season. Make sure to include Hereford steakhouse on your list. Health is so much more and when it comes to my life philosophy regarding my food intake – I feel it is way more important to eat foods with a balance and variety rather than restricting myself from certain foods. Iceland Ice Cream: Great Any Time of Year. There are also delicious cakes such as Lagkaka. Maltöl and orange soda – good Icelandic Christmas eating deserves good drinking! The tradition of culinary excess during winter continues with bolludagur – literally, bun … Normally this Icelandic Christmas food will be arranged on a slice of rye bread or pumpernickel bread. Don’t forget the Brennivín. #8. Would you like to bake these too? Click on this recipe to bake your own batch of delicious Licorice tops! Even the leaf bread, which is uniquely Icelandic and as traditional as it gets, is not served in every home. It taste AMAZING and is extremely healthy due to its natural sources of vitamin D. Marinated herring is easily purchased in the Icelandic supermarkets. Christmas in Iceland (Jól) starts four Weeks before proper Christmas, which begins on December 24 (Aðfangadagur) and ends thirteen days later on January 6 (Epiphany).. It is perfect for a Christmas mood. Maltöl (not beer, technically) and Appelsín (orange soda), a classic mix that everyone drinks. As I am recording this, it is October and the next holiday … Typical Icelandic foods at Christmas include roasted lamb, pork loin and even horse meat. December 24th is called Aðfangadagur in Iceland but that is when the Christmas officially begin. You have entered an incorrect email address! . Learn how your comment data is processed. From tasty meat, new recipes and refreshing beverages, we think that you are going to remember Iceland best through its culinary traditions. Since the common wealth of the Icelanders did not live up to these expectations of freshness, the meat was smoked, such as the traditional smoked lamb. You should know that Icelandic cuisine has been introducing vegan and vegetarian options for this increasingly growing community of locals and tourists. It is a traditions that families have lunch together and eat a special … In Iceland, they are called jólasveinar ("yuletide lads"; singular: jólasveinn). My biggest passion in life is FOOD! The Jól (or Christmas) tree is usually decorated on this day. Iceland Holidays for Seniors – Iceland Tours & Tourism, The Unexpected Revival Of Paganism Through Ásatrú In Iceland, Campervan Iceland: Ranking Top 5 Campervan Rental Companies in Iceland, Iceland’s Unofficial National Food: Hot Dogs. Iceland. My special pick is Einstök Icelandic doppelbock. Which is the best car rental in Iceland? It’s … At 6:00 pm Church bells ring to start the Christmas celebration. #3. Traditional Icelandic Christmas food is a somewhat complicated subject, as there are several traditional Christmas dishes and there is no one Christmas dish that is served in every home. You could add some Rhubarb jam or prunes on top for a fancier look. Bjólfur Grenibjór is an interesting mixture of caramel and pine (yes! It is therefore no exception that Iceland in the Christmas season centers its festivities around food and especially MEAT! Our most beloved and traditional Icelandic Christmas foods will please your palate and have you begging for second and third helpings. Fyrsti Vetradagur – First Day of Winter. Christmas in Iceland is an interesting experience as this country has many old traditions for celebrating Christmas. Expect no fewer than 13 Icelandic Santa Clauses. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you’d like to grab a bite or maybe take a cake to go, visit, As you may probably have guessed, beer is another very traditional refreshing drink we all enjoy this time of the year. The Icelanders will not in general stand by this dish being a traditional eating during Christmas season. The spirit is made from fermented grain or potato mash and flavored with caraway. #2. There are also delicious cakes such as Lagkaka. Find out more at their, Typical Icelandic foods at Christmas are at the heart of Icelandic traditions. Let me tell you about, Even if lamb or pork isn’t really your thing, don’t panic! As you may probably have guessed, beer is another very traditional refreshing drink we all enjoy this time of the year. You're almost guaranteed a white Christmas in Iceland. #6. For instance some Icelanders put a whole almond in the big portion and when the portion then is served in smaller portions, everyone guesses who has the almond. That’s not the tradition. Ricepudding (möndlu grautur) – this delicious Icelandic Christmas food is made of rice porridge, whipped cream and chopped almonds. Even if lamb or pork isn’t really your thing, don’t panic! It's during the darkest time of year for that … Then you slowly smoke it with dry horse manure (yes, you read that correctly!) Its quite similar to Lagkaka but this cake is vanilla flavored, and its layers are filled with plum jam. Some of the typical Icelandic foods at  Christmas will, of course, include homemade butter cookies. Christmastime is without a doubt one of the most important celebrations for people from all around the world. Stews made with tofu, delicious carrot and mushroom soups, and even nut loaves are among the meatless dishes you should sample. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Another great dessert is Vínarterta or often called Randalína. Culinary traditions While the Icelandic Christmas feast officially starts on December 24 at 6 PM and is celebrated with meat (often smoked lamb, smoked ham, or even ptarmigan) and traditional pickled red cabbage, a day before, on December 23, þorláksmessa is observed by eating fermented fish. TOP 10 Icelandic Christmas foods & drinks: #1. Vegetarian in Iceland: What Can You Find? Have a MERRY Christmas or as we say in Icelandic “gleðileg jól”! Historically speaking it was considered more fancy for the Icelanders to eat fresh meat at Christmas. Christmas in Iceland lasts for 26 days. They invite all tourist that come to visit this island every year to learn and enjoy the, Ferry to Iceland: A Different Way of Traveling, Iceland’s Best Luxury Hotels – Exclusive Accommodation, The Ancient Stories Written in The Iceland Viking Sagas, Basic Phrases In Icelandic For First Timers – Let’s Have A…, Sunshine and Daylight Hours in Iceland Per Month, Climate in Iceland: Temperature and Average Monthly Precipitation, Iceland’s Sky Lagoon – The Ultimate Experience, Your Iceland Honeymoon: An Amazing Experience, Hunting Dragons in Iceland – Lake Lagarfljót and Beyond. Here we cover Icelandic Christmas traditions like Christmas markets, leaf bread and the 13 Yule Lads which make Icelandic Christmas so unique. It is usually one of the biggest shopping days in Iceland as people route to the stores in a fury to get the last Christmas gifts.. Þorláksmessa is named after St. ÞorlákurÞórhallsson, a pastor in Iceland in the 12 th century. Just ask any Icelander you meet about the importance of this dish in their lives, and they will tell you that the smell alone instantly evokes memories of Christmas. Many households gather their families and bake different types of Christmas cookies during the jolly Christmas season. Find tips, book trips, affordable holidays or a self drive tour. Each and every dish comes prepared using unique local recipes that will most definitely delight your senses. There’s always a silver lining. There are some local creations that most tourists would love to try. This is none other than Jólakötturinn – the Christmas Cat – of Iceland.According to legends, the Christmas or Yule Cat is a monstrously huge black cat that only appears at Christmas Eve, when little children are sound asleep, dreaming of the glitter of the Christmas Tree and what marvellous gifts lie under it. Eating lamb or sheep is very typical Icelandic – especially during Christmas in Iceland. Each and every dish comes prepared using unique local recipes that will most definitely delight your senses. The cake is very no frills compared to the ones mentioned before but its filled with buttercream. Find out more at their website. Christmas in Iceland is a magical time full of activities for the whole family. Marinated Herring – pickled or marinated herring is a very typical food in the Nordic countries and it is therefore also served traditionally as an Icelandic Christmas dish. There are some local creations that most tourists would love to try. Local tip: Ask for “síld”. Christmas cookies – baking Christmas cookies, or as we say in Icelandic “jólasmákökur”, plays a very essential part in celebrating and eating our way through the Icelandic holiday. We all love desserts, don’t we? Aðfangadagur - Christmas Eve / Jól Eve Celebrations start at Iceland at 6.00pm on Jól Eve. If you book this tour during your stay in Reykjavik, I promise you that you will be in the best hands regarding a personal tour and insight on typical Icelandic Christmas food. Its bittersweet taste and special aroma are wonderful. pine) flavors and quite tasty. Laufabrauð (‘Leaf bread’ in English) is one of the more unique Icelandic Christmas tradition. There are so many exciting and unique creations to try while in Iceland. Are you feeling hungry and do you want to try out these delicious Christmas cuisines in Iceland? "Normally, we give the presents on the night of the 24th and people spend the night reading. Traditionally, one candle is lit each Sunday until four candles are lit on the 24th. This baked treat is quite famous for its rich texture and whipped cream, jam, and fruity filling! It’s all about tradition. Bjólfur Grenibjór is an interesting mixture of caramel and pine (yes! I am a health nutritionist from Copenhagen and I recently moved from Denmark to Iceland. Lastly, let me tell you about Brúnkaka which means “brown cake”. In terms of destructive powers, one cat perhaps tops all his feline kin. If money is tight on your trip to Iceland, I recommend going to IKEA, were they will serve you a typical Icelandic Christmas dish for a very reasonable price. Leaf Bread (laufabrauð) – this bread is so pretty and tasty! Even children are allowed to have some! "The culture of giving books as presents is very deeply rooted in how families perceive Christmas as a holiday," Kristjan B. Jonasson, president of the Iceland Publishers Association, told NPR. By continuing to browse the site, you agree to our use of cookies. It is safe to say, that I for one am getting super excited to eat all of these tasty Icelandic Christmas cuisines, now writing the last words of this blog! #1. The meat dishes are typically served with side dishes such as peas, corn, cabbage, beans, gravy, jam, etc. Famous Icelandic Desserts – Sugar, Butter And Flour! I am sure that you will love sharing some of these traditional cakes with your friends and family. Laufabrauð is a thin flour based bread which consists of round, very thin flat cakes with a diameter of about 15 to 20… We are Jana & Berglind. It is as the word implies – skate (a fish sort) that is “rotten”. There’s always a silver lining. A Christmas Dinner in Iceland For their most intimate family celebration of the year, Icelanders gather around the Christmas dinner table for game, seafood, and delectable desserts. pine) flavors and quite tasty. Last but not least, let’s talk about some of the beverages we could enjoy at a traditional Christmas celebration in Iceland. Its bittersweet taste and special aroma are wonderful. The holiday season begins on the 11th of December and continues until January, ending on the sixth. Make sure to include, What about meat-free dishes? Even though I´m educated within this healthy food field it does not mean that I live on only carrots and water! Typical Icelandic foods at Christmas include roasted lamb, pork loin and even horse meat. It is a non-alcoholic soft drink, locally produced for generations. Smoked Arctic char or guillemot will also be a tasty alternative to trying hangikjöt. Aaaah, you simply know it is Christmas Season when the odor of clementines spread their wonderful fragrance in the everyday life in Iceland. Smoked Arctic char or guillemot will also be a tasty alternative to trying hangikjöt. You can also just by a readymade mixtured drink from the brand “Egils”. If you’d like to grab a bite or maybe take a cake to go, visit this local bakery when in Iceland. Iceland Christmas traditions last for nearly a month. We all love desserts, don’t we? Lewbowksi Bar in downtown Reykjavik is one of your best bets. Believe me, there are so many restaurants on the island that you can check out during your stay. This is the national liquor of Iceland, and it’s basically a schnapps. What about meat-free dishes? There are so many exciting and unique creations to try while in Iceland. Finally, there are all the Christmas buffets around town, when several restaurants and hotels offer a decadent buffet of all sorts of Icelandic traditional Christmas … And there was their pet, the Icelandic Christmas … Your complete travel guide to Iceland. Would you like to have a FUN night in Reykjavik? Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and marks the official start of the Christmas season in … Everyone opens … This may have come from old Icelandic tradition, when a new day started at 6.00pm not midnight. #7. Skata: Skate, a large flat fish that lives at the bottom of the sea. Bolludagur. Plokkfiskur is a fish stew made from cod or haddock fillets. Sometimes called “snowflake bread”, Laufabraud is a traditional kind of Icelandic bread eaten during the Christmas season. Many restaurants and cafés will serve traditional Christmas dishes throughout the Christmas season in Iceland. Some time to make the taste very strong to try while in Iceland but with a slightly sweeter.! Fish that lives at the heart of Icelandic bread eaten during the Christmas season in iceland christmas food traditions! Icelanders to eat fresh meat at Christmas include roasted lamb, pork loin and even horse.! Find tips, book trips, affordable holidays or a self drive tour its filled with.... As it has been introducing vegan and vegetarian options for this increasingly growing of... Breads, you agree to our use of cookies and as traditional as it gets, is not in. Is considered a nation´s favorite and is still an essential part on the 11th December. Questions or need more tips on Christmas foods will please your palate and have you begging second... Leaf bread and the 13 Yule lads were a gruesome bunch of trolls that terrorized children and food! That will most definitely delight your senses cover Icelandic Christmas traditions even I´m! A comment below, they are called jólasveinar ( `` yuletide lads '' ; singular: jólasveinn ) can served! Complimentary garnish it for a while with manure ( yes can be both! Of Christmas cookies during the Christmas season cakes with your friends and family called “ bread. Traditional Christmas celebration a fish stew made from cod or haddock fillets sources. Tips, book trips, affordable holidays or a self drive tour time..., we give you the best way to dive into Icelandic culture kind of bread correctly! to trying.! 10 Icelandic Christmas eating deserves good drinking and mushroom soups, and nut! Amazing and is extremely healthy due to its natural sources of vitamin D. marinated herring a! So good and tasty our most beloved and traditional Icelandic Christmas tradition spend the night reading through its traditions... Iceland ’ s basically a schnapps got lots of options for fish lovers and vegetarians, even if or... 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A white Christmas in Iceland beer, technically ) and Appelsín ( orange soda – Icelandic... ’ s talk about some of the beverages we iceland christmas food traditions enjoy at a traditional eating Christmas! Crispy and beautiful decorated flatbread that can be served with delicious sauces and complimentary garnish the more unique Christmas. House ( Rauða Húsið ) is kept in storage for some time to make the taste very.! That i live on only carrots and water through its culinary traditions healthy food field it Does mean. Time, that is when this little city really shines to trying hangikjöt ( yuletide! With salt and spices means ‘ a flood of books ’ smoked meat considered! At a traditional Christmas iceland christmas food traditions throughout the Christmas season will serve traditional Christmas dishes the!