Svið
Iceland's boiled whole sheep's head
Think of it as: Like a lamb roast, but you meet the lamb face to face
The sheep head stares back. Make eye contact.
What does it taste like?
Rich, gamey lamb. The cheeks are tender and the eye is soft and fatty.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureGelatinous and tender
What is it?
A singed, halved and boiled sheep's head. The cheeks, tongue and even the eye are eaten. It's a traditional dish of Þorrablót, Iceland's midwinter feast.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Eaten with knife and fork, cheeks first. Sometimes pressed into a jelly.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇮🇸Iceland
CapitalReykjavík
Populationabout 400,000UN estimate for 2026
IndustriesFishing, Tourism, Aluminum smelting (geothermal and hydro power)
Famous peopleBjörkWorld-famous singer
HelloHalló
CurrencyIcelandic króna
Fun factA country with no army. An island of volcanoes and hot springs
The flag🇮🇸 Blue is the sea and sky, white is the glaciers and snow, and red is volcanic fire.
From Tokyoabout 8,800 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Reykjavík
Getting thereabout 17 hours from Tokyo (with transfers)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeJune to August for the midnight sun, or September to March for the northern lights. Also tryLamb soupSkyrHot dogs (pylsur) More from here🦈 Hákarl
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeJune to August for the midnight sun, or September to March for the northern lights. Also tryLamb soupSkyrHot dogs (pylsur) More from here🦈 Hákarl
🇮🇸 Sounds & life in Iceland
HallóHello（Halló）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
Anthem"Hymn" (Lofsöngur)
MusicPost-rock Dreamy, epic layers of sound
SportSoccer (handball is hugely popular too)
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (strongman; 2018's World's Strongest Man) World HeritageÞingvellir National Park and more National flowerMountain avens FestivalÞorrablót (January-February, a midwinter feast of traditional foods)
MusicPost-rock Dreamy, epic layers of sound
SportSoccer (handball is hugely popular too)
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (strongman; 2018's World's Strongest Man) World HeritageÞingvellir National Park and more National flowerMountain avens FestivalÞorrablót (January-February, a midwinter feast of traditional foods)
Ingredients
- 1 halved sheep's head
- Salt
- Water
- Mashed potato and turnip, to serve
How to make it (one way)
- Singe the wool off over a flame
- Split in half and remove the brain
- Wash well and boil in salted water for about 2 hours
- Make a mash of potato and turnip
- Serve the head whole with the mash
⚠️ Very confronting to look at, and hard to prepare at home.