There are only a handful of days left until Christmas and its Eve… But how is this end-of-year celebration experienced in Sweden—a Scandinavian country that’s the perfect place to soak up the magic of the season?
And above all, what do we eat on New Year's Eve?
Here's what we discovered in our first year here.
A Christmas buffet in Sweden: Sharing and indulgence at the heart of tradition
While in France we often prefer a single, refined meal – capon, seafood, or crusted dishes – in Sweden, the Julbord, a large buffet, is at the center of the festivities.
This iconic meal, made up of many classics, is an opportunity for everyone to compose their plate as they wish and to come back as many times as there are dishes left on the table.
The Julbord, literally “ Christmas table", can be enjoyed from the end of November in restaurants, but it is above all the highlight of Christmas Eve, shared with family in a warm atmosphere.
Julbord’s must-haves: A Swedish Christmas feast
Fish: Marinated herring, salmon and other seafood delights
A Christmas meal in Sweden would not be complete without the famous marinated herring, available in a multitude of flavors: mustard, dill, onion or even curry. The gravlax salmon, served with its sweet and sour dill sauce, is also a star of the buffet, known and appreciated far beyond the Swedish borders.
Other seafood products enrich the buffet depending on the region and the family: cod, shrimp, smoked eel, and even Swedish caviar (löjrom), a delicacy often served on blinis or crusty bread.
Cold starters: Salads and cold meats
Swedes love to accompany their cold dishes with a variety of salads: beetroot in sauce, carrot pickles or marinated cabbage. Boiled eggs with filling, savory cheesecakes or a selection of local charcuterie complement these flavors.
Hot dishes: Ham, meatballs and gratins
The meatballs (köttbullar) are essential, available with beef, chicken, game, or in a vegetarian version. The Christmas ham (julskinny), usually roasted and glazed, also occupies a central place, sometimes accompanied by pork ribs or other meats, such as Prince sausages (prinskorv).
In terms of accompaniments, we find the Janssons Frestelse gratin made with potatoes, anchovies and cream, as well as root vegetables. The whole thing is enhanced by typically Swedish condiments such as lingon sauce.
Sweet and spicy treats: Black bread, cheeses and Christmas desserts
To accompany the meal, various breads such as black bread (vortbrod), crackers or spicy breads are offered. Cheeses are often enjoyed as starters, while desserts round off the feast: cinnamon or spiced shortbread, and the traditional Malta Rice, rice pudding served cold with red fruit jam.
Where to enjoy a Julbord in Sweden?
The Julbord bloom in almost every restaurant in Sweden from the end of November. You will easily find them in big cities like Stockholm or Gothenburg, but be careful: these festive buffets have a cost. On average, you should expect to pay around €70 per person, often cheaper at lunchtime than in the evening.
For a more affordable version, why not try the IKEA Christmas buffet ?
A fun option, perfect for discovering this Swedish tradition without breaking your budget. We found the price-quality ratio to be quite correct!
What if you cooked your own Julbord?
Now that you know everything about the traditional christmas meal in sweden, maybe you'll want to try the experiment at home?
Whether you are in Scandinavia or elsewhere, recreating a Julbord is a great way to share a friendly moment and explore Nordic flavors. And don't panic if the number of dishes seems overwhelming, Julbords made as a family are generally less ambitious than those offered in restaurants!
Share your experiences and culinary discoveries with us!
