Today, we had the opportunity to taste some traditional Icelandic food at dinner. Some of these dishes were ones I never imagined I’d try in my life, but I’m really glad I did. We sampled four traditional dishes: Icelandic horse, Arctic char, lamb, and smoked puffin.
After seeing so many horses as we drove around all week, I was convinced I wouldn’t eat the horse because of how beautiful they are. It feels a little strange to see horse on a menu since eating it is somewhat frowned upon in the U.S. However, the tradition of eating horse in Iceland dates back to the Viking era, when they sacrificed horses to the gods and then consumed them afterward. Over time, this practice evolved into a lasting culinary tradition, and I’m glad it did because it was absolutely delicious.
Whenever I travel, one of the first things I like to do is try traditional foods. In my opinion, food reveals so much about a place, and this is especially true for Iceland. It offers insight into a country’s history, the sacrifices its people had to make in the past, and how those traditions have carried on. Food has always played a role in shaping connections between people and cultures. Throughout history, it has been at the center of important events, and even today, sharing a meal remains one of the best ways for people to bond and learn from one another. Something as simple as food can have such a profound impact.
Now, for my rankings of the traditional Icelandic dishes we tried, from my favorite to least favorite:
Lamb Tataki (8/10): Well-seasoned with a delicious mayo-based sauce.
Icelandic Horse Tartare (9.2/10): So flavorful and tender, with delicious sauces.
Smoked Puffin (8.9/10): A subtle smoky flavor that paired beautifully with a slightly sweet sauce.
Lightly Cured Arctic Char (8.2/10): Super fresh and flavorful, without being overly fishy.
Swanson School of Engineering 