Surströmming
Canned herring, famously the world's smelliest
Think of it as: Like anchovies that went to a very dark place
Easy recipe. Finding a place to open it? Hard.
What does it taste like?
Intensely salty and sour. The smell is strong, but wrapped in bread and veggies it's surprisingly edible.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureSoft and mushy
What is it?
Salted herring fermented right in the can. It's called the world's smelliest canned food, and the cans bulge with gas. Locals eat it outdoors, piled on thin bread with toppings.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Open the can outdoors and roll the fish up in thin bread (tunnbröd) with potatoes and onion. It's traditionally eaten when the season opens in August.
Watch it
JapaneseTap to play (YouTube)This video is not in English. YouTube auto-translated captions can help.
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇸🇪Sweden
CapitalStockholm
Populationabout 10.7 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesCars and machinery, Forestry and paper, IT and music streaming
Common surnamesAndersson, Johansson, KarlssonFrom national statistics and surname surveys; rankings vary by source
Famous peopleABBAThe group famous for "Dancing Queen"Alfred NobelThe man who created the Nobel Prize
HelloHej
CurrencySwedish krona
And JapanThe birthplace of IKEA furniture
Fun factThe Nobel Prize ceremony is held in the capital, Stockholm (only the Peace Prize is in Norway)
The flag🇸🇪 A yellow Nordic cross on blue; the colors come from the blue and gold of the national coat of arms.
From Tokyoabout 8,170 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Stockholm
Getting thereabout 16 hours from Tokyo (with transfers)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeJune to August, with long, pleasant days, is best. Also tryMeatballs (köttbullar)Cinnamon bunsCrayfish dishes More from here🎂 Smörgåstårta
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeJune to August, with long, pleasant days, is best. Also tryMeatballs (köttbullar)Cinnamon bunsCrayfish dishes More from here🎂 Smörgåstårta
🇸🇪 Sounds & life in Sweden
HejHello（Hej）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
Anthem"Thou Ancient, Thou Free" (Du gamla, du fria)
MusicSwedish pop Nordic pop with melodies that stick in your head
SportSoccer (ice hockey is popular too)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (soccer; famous for acrobatic goals) World HeritageRoyal Domain of Drottningholm and more FestivalMidsummer (June)
MusicSwedish pop Nordic pop with melodies that stick in your head
SportSoccer (ice hockey is popular too)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (soccer; famous for acrobatic goals) World HeritageRoyal Domain of Drottningholm and more FestivalMidsummer (June)
Ingredients
- Surströmming 1 can
- Tunnbröd (thin flatbread) or tortillas
- Boiled potatoes
- Red onion
- Sour cream
How to make it (one way)
- Chill the can well in the fridge (this calms the gas)
- Go outside and make sure nobody is downwind
- Open the can inside a bucket of water so the brine doesn't spray
- Take out the herring, remove the bones and cut into bite-size pieces
- Pile potato, onion, sour cream and herring on the bread and roll it up
⚠️ If the brine gets on your clothes or in your home, the smell lingers for days. Avoid apartment balconies.
Get the ingredients (ad)
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