Welcome to Finland. Glad you're enjoying your visit! I hope you get a chance to try my favorite Finnish food, Karjalanpiirakka with munavoi (Karelian rice pasty with egg-butter).
I moved to the US a few years ago with my American Grandparents that adopted me and haven’t been back for like 4 years. Karjalanpiirakka was THE BEST thing and I really miss it. Same with Pulla, Salmiakki, and rieska😭
Reindeer meat is more common dish in northern Finland where the semi-wild reindeers are herded. It's the most ethical read meat you get, the reindeers run free the most of the year. And it's low fat. Right now everything vegetarian/vegan is a big thing in Helsinki, an other Finnish thing is you always find lactose free and gluten free choices easily.
Just spent one month in USA visiting some family members. We almost did not eat at restaurants, but went to the supermarkets and cooked our own food. Now about two weeks back in Finland. The difference of quality in food is mind-boggling! Instead the bland and low-quality food in the US, even in the top-end supermarkets, the food here in Finland is so tasty! Fresh, tasty vegetables, fish you name it. Eye-opening, if not mouth-opening for sure.
This was for me the biggest culture shock when travelling in general! I’ve noticed that many countries outside of europe are rather lacking when it comes to super markets (though asia and South america has good fresh markets.).
What I miss the most from Europe the farmer's market where you can buy fresh fruits vegetables. I buy here in Toronto in the grocery stores vegetables or fruits but they don't have any taste.
That bread was not the "normal" rye bread what we eat everyday, we eat soft rye bread, I think that what you guys had must be "jälkiuuni" and it means that it has been left to the oven for after heat
Went to Finland to attend a friend's wedding! :) Was able to visit Helsinki, Haamenlina, Turku, Karinaa, Lohja, Uusikaupunki and Pyhamaa. It was a stunningly beautiful country and it was so awesome to have been hosted by a local the entire time. It definitely made the experience a lot more unique - we stayed in a remote cabin out in the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia.
You're not that far off when you said that the food reminds you of the war time food. I mean most people in Finland used to live at the country side (or be workers in the factories etc.) so they had to use food that was available and what was also filling. Being so far north as Finland is it's hard to grow many plants and it's probably also why many of our traditional foods has root vegetables, meat and berries. (+because of the long winters food had to be something that was preservable) :3♡
Its not unusual to fall in love with those crispy darkbreads called 'hapankorppu' . When you start to eat them with good butter, you cant stop before its all gone!
And some funny facts about restaurant dishes... Reindeer isn't a traditional food in Helsinki, since all the reindeers live in northern parts of the country. As Helsinki lays by the sea, food in Helsinki area tradionally has lot of fish in it... In fact in the 1600's there was a common clause in the contract of employment that stated the maximum amount of fish that labour should/would need to eat. Since fish was the easiest food for the employer to acquire.
In February there is two special day "J.L Runebergin päivä" and "Laskiainen". Runeberg is the national poet of Finland. At Runberg's day 5.2. we usually eat "Runebergin torttu" (Runeberg's tart) which Runeberg's wife used to bake. I think you can find the pastry already in cafes and grocery stores. Laskiainen is traditionally a day of sledge riding, eating pea soup and buns filled with jam or almond paste. It's 27.2. but buns are also already now available.
Oh! I second this. You definitely can find them in the stores already. Runeberg's tart is my favourite Finnish pastry and I can only get them at this time of the year. Definitely try them. Different brands do have some taste differences. Laskiais pulla is a bun that is filled with cream and jam, usually rasberry or starwberry. You can find some with chocolate flavoured cream as well, and almond ones. Personally I don't much care for them since I don't like cream all that much.
What is better than fresh pastries outside in the snow!???!!! I am from a northern climate and can't imagine not having all 4 seasons. Thanks for sharing your snow adventure. Love how full of life you 2 are and how much love you have for each other. Keep enjoying life!
Ravintola Kolme Kruunua is the name of the restaurant for anyone asking . did all the research myself ! i looked up the name on the street maps from the clip of them walking and was able to find the restaurant .
This was very heartwarming to watch. I like the mood and that you have clearly done some research about the foor you ate. As a Finn I didn't know bilberries have their own name in English − I've always just called them blueberries, which they are of course, but now I know their specific name too! Thanks!
Please please please go to Citymarket or Prisma and to the mixed candy isle! :D where you can pick from so so so many options, you buy by the weight! That seems to be odd for foreigners!
Unfortunately, tourists stay in the big towns and cities where the food is losing its traditional aspect and becoming more or less "international". For example, Reindeer is luxury specialty, but not everyday food to people living in the southern part of the country. Rye bread should be almost steaming fresh and soft... Sadly, you miss the true everyday living as you go to restaurants or public places which are more adjusted to tourism rather than going to real homes to see how people live and eat.
There is one minus about the hard crunchy rye bread. When a sharp piece of it positions itself just right in your mouth you impale your gums into it when you bite down. Not being hyperbolic here, you can actually draw blood with it.
I would like to point out that its not maybe the best way to eat pastries containing fat and sugar if its really cold because in many cases it changes the taste and texture radically. Usually room temperature or slightly warmed would be ideal for the real taste and texture. Its a huge difference, so if you try something like cinnamon rolls for the first time and they are cold, dont judge a pastrie by its temperature! :)
we never thought we were that finnish.....until my mama went to visit my sister who moved to Florida and took with her Koskenkorva vodka, salmiakki, rye bread and daggers for our nephews (they're scouts). THAT is the most finnish thing anyone could ever do tbh.
I am so thankful you guys make content so often! Just got a notification and I’m like YES! It’s like Netflix and getting the next episode😂 also your shop and online website is so beautiful!
Awe! We are so glad you are enjoying our videos! :D Thanks for checking out our website as well! Good luck on your future van adventures! Feel free to reach out at anytime!
Ryebread has been around only couple of hundred years. It was barley for thousands of years before that. P. S. Ryebread in Finland comes in many forms. All from super soft to totally dry. Ovenfresh soft one is Amazing!
Rye bread is so important for finns simply because that's what keeps us alive. In the north we can't grow wheat, and as rye and barley are the grain that grows here, that's what we use the most. Some warm southern parts of the country also produce some oats too.
Oats and barley (and rye) can be grown in west up to Oulu, in east not that north. Oats is only one that doesn't get upset if ground is cold or if there is few nights below zero in spring/summer. (There is saying "kylmä kauran kasvattaa" ) Wheat only grows well In think somewhere south from Seinäjoki-Jyväskylä.
Hi From Finland (Kuopio) Joo, our food is normally very old fashion, we eat the same that our grandparents ate, so Chad you are right. With more days here you will get used to the cold and you will be able to remove some of the clothing.
Finnish food culture is nothing special but it does what it's supposed to do: remove your hunger until the next time! For me (ofc my opinion is biased because I'm Finnish) it's the perfect food, nothing fancy but you will be full after the meal.
Like others have said that ryebread was like crispbread and people mostly eat soft and fluffy ryebread. Also foods are simple because.. well we don't have that much fancy veggies, species or plants growing here. Potatos are extremely important because it's basic only thing that grows here well.
If you are still in Helsinki you could try the Finnish restaurant called "Savotta", it has a nice atmosphere with some local old music playing in the background and great local food.
Outside of Finland I buy "finncrisp" because I can get them in german supermarkets. I like the sourdough taste and the crispiness together with butter.
Thats more like piece of Näkkileipä :). Ruisleipä is best freshly eaten, and is soft. Old times Finns use to do rye bread at summer/autumn season and put it to dry on the top of the room "hanging". So when the harsh winter came and the food was hard to get, dried bread suit them well. Thanks for visiting here, lovely videos. Enjoyed them all.
Hi Claire and Chad, I enjoyed your video a lot. So nice you had a lovely day and had good food. We finns do have many layers of clothes during wintertime. Waiting to see you next video, moi!
As usual another great video! Loved the sled in the middle of the lake. You are giving my wife and I travel fever for sure. Would love to see the prices of the meals and places you stay. Is that something you could add in the future videos or comments. Either way keep putting out great content!
Nice video. Rye bread comes in many forms, i'd say the crunchy type isn't the benchmark product. Instead go to any market (big or small, K-Market or S-Market, Sale or anuwhere) and pick up a small pack (4pcs/235g) of Reissumies rye bread. I'd say that for at least 1/3 of finns who enjoy rye bread, that's the bomb.
@@ChadandClaire and make sure to get the original version, there's a oatbread Reissumies and then a version called "Tosi Tumma" or really dark, that's for hardcore ryebread lovers 😉
@@jutimatias Dark one is not hardcore at all, it's softer, malty and sweeter and has less rye in it. Not Finnish rye bread style but nothing wrong with it.
Reissumies is bulk bread made by one of the biggest bakeries in Finland. Instead you should try some small local bakery's freshly made rye bread. It is a whole different world, I tell you.
How funny is it that you are freezing and talking about how we do NOT get that kind of weather in the south and here I sit waiting for an artic blast in the north Georgia mountains!!! Of course, Finland is able to deal with all that lovely snow, whereas there is panic everywhere you look as we await this weather system!!! So while you two frolic and enjoy all that beautiful snow, say a little prayer for us back home that we don't lose power or end up stuck in our houses for a week because the roads are frozen over!!!! Enjoy your time in that beautiful country!!! Safe travels!
Stay safe Holley! Hope you have plenty of food stocked up and can make the most of whatever storm comes your way! ❄️ Claire’s parents are right there in the storm with ya.
Awesome! I found out, and I love u guys so much! Thank you again for visiting Finland! Hope you guys can experience more outside the Helsinki area as well! Is cold these days, and stay safe! Bread in Finland has two kinds soft and dry ones - dried ones are usually meant to dip your soup so it will soup. In Finland, wintertime is the coldest and darkest of the year. Remember to take D-vitamin 'cuz you gonna need that rn! And dw, what are you wearing Chad is rlly good 'cuz is gonna be really cold during the day (you can't never know, it can be colder later on).
That "napakelkka" need more people to spin it for really good ride ;) Mustikkapiirakka is so good with vanilla sauce! You guys should try rye bread when it is just take out from oven and is warm, fresh and soft. That point rye bread is best!IMO It is glad to see young people to explore and experience Finland!!! I wish you two really good winter adventure here and a lot of good experiences! Remember take some of extra vitamin D because lack of sun! Cheers/Kippis!!
I can understand why Chad loves the dried rye bread. They even started making that dried rye bread as a sort of snack type thing as well. Kinda like potato chips but more healthy (unless you opt for the ones that are soaked in salt and stuff) and they are such a good snack when you're just craving something to munch on.
We migrated from Finland to Australia in 1968 and most of the stable Finnish foods ie:- rye bread, karjalan piirakat, and cinnamon roles etc I grew up with and make them all year round. Most of my Finnish friends also make all the traditional Finnish foods.
Great video. My mother is from Finland, and I love the different Finnish rye breads. And Helsinki is such a beautiful city. But the language is strange 😛
Assumed Chad was a Finn until he started speaking 'merican. As much fun things to do there as a Michigan Winter. Same here, with snow only a 70 mile drive up the Sierra Nevada, then can sit in warmth at home by orange trees in the evening. They eat a lot of salmon - sauteed, fried, souped, mixed in bread, salted, aka Bubba Gump.
Did you visit eastern finland aka karelian region ? If you did hiw did you like the food ? If you didn't, it's a area of finland that has very amazing food, people and hospitality :)
Fun thing about rye bread is that even though it tastes sour, just keep chewing on it for around a minute and you can literally taste when your saliva starts to break down the sugars in it.
You can build that sledge so that it goes on wooden circle and has like wheel from wheelbarrow etc. We had one those in local childrens adventure park where I did work younger.
I'm sorry you guys are experiencing Finland during some of the worst Covid restrictions we've had since the start of the pandemic. Almost everything is closed after 18 now :/. I hope you still enjoy your trip! Those sleds are actually crazy when it's on clear ice instead of snow and the sled is on skates instead of skis. The friction is so much smaller that you can get such a high speed that it's impossible to stay in the sled ^^.
Glad you enjoyed Finland! When in Europe, always finish with the sweet stuff and eat anything else first :) That rye bread has been roasted in oven after being baked and sliced.
What a beautiful couple, I love your experiences and adventures, specially food jejeje, I will expect for next video soon 😉 Regards from Barcelona city
That’s amazing! We were just in Finland. Stayed one night in Helsinki enroute Rovaniemi. Thanks for this video because we were thinking we had to visit Helsinki again from the little we observed. Looks like you had a great time with the food 😊
Loved watching this. Finns have always downplayed our food culture for some reason, so this really makes me feel good to see you guys appreciating it :)
Well -25celsius and working outside is cold. Even when wearing good warm clothes. And at that temperature we are allowed to keep extra breaks to get warm. I had a coffee in thersmos bottle and time to time take a sip and all fine again
You forgot to get a cup of coffee after dinner. That is also a Finnish tradition. It helps you to not get sleepy after a hefty meal. I haven't had poronkäristys in a while. I have to do it again someday. Thanks for the great video.
Chad being a total Chad, pushing that sled Conan the Barbarian style. lol That salmon pie looked really good, I'll have to keep an eye out for it... maybe my mom knows how to make it...
Very nice surprise looking at my phone and seeing there was a new video from the two of you. Finland looks amazing and very cold. Love love love your breakfast food. Cool seeing ppl out in that cold weather eating breakfast. You two looks amazing Didn’t know the sunsets so early there. Dinner early preps you for senior yrs 🤣. The sled ride looks like slot if fun. Chad did very well pushing the handle You two stay safe and have lots of fun. Thank you both for sharing your adventure with us and explaining everything. 🥰 Places I will never see Can’t wait for your next video. Get some rest 😙
Hey Corena! So happy you enjoyed the video! We feel so honored to share our experiences with those that will never be able to visit personally. Thanks for cheering us on, we couldn’t be doing this without your support :D
No way I didn’t realise yous were in Finland. I’m on my way to Helsinki on Monday! Wouldnt be surprised if yous have already moved onto your next place or something but I hope yous have a good time :)
