Culinary journeys to Finland
Unique cuisine with natural flavors appeals to Koreans
By Kang Seung-woo
An appealing holiday destination thanks to its natural attractions, Finland is now seeking to take Korean travelers on a gastronomic journey with its unique Finnish cuisine that aims to bring nature to the dining table.
Sari Hey, public relations manager at Visit Finland, speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Visit Finland
Visit Finland, an organization promoting tourism for the North European country, held a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday, to introduce Finnish cuisine the essence of which lies in pure, simple and local ingredients prepared to accentuate natural flavors.
“Being avid travelers, Koreans are increasingly exposed to diverse cultures worldwide and now seem to seek something new and more wholesome. Finland will prove to be the perfect destination for these experienced travelers,” said Sari Hey, public relations manager at Visit Finland.
Jani Toivanen, the program coordinator, said Finland is a haven of clean and naturally nutrient-rich foods.
“The long summer days and cool temperatures enhance the aromas of and pigments in wild berries, while clean soil, clean air and clean water of Finland's northern location nurture the best ingredients,” he said.
Also, Toivanen said Finns appreciate simplicity and honesty in all things and are deeply rooted in cooking.
“Everything starts with clean ingredients and less is usually more,” he said.
“Whether it is Arctic char or a mushroom, you must be able to taste every ingredient by itself as well as the harmony with other flavors on the plate.”
Finnish mushroom soup
As for its focus on going local, its food is always local and seasonal, drawn directly from the natural surroundings.
“Local produce being the staple choice among Finnish shoppers can be credited to Finns' love for wild food and access to nature's superfoods,” he said.
“Each region in Finland therefore has its own delicious character in ingredients and recipes.”
Among three factors, innovation in dining culture that is quietly sweeping through the country has thrust Finnish cuisine into the limelight, Toivanen added.
He cited examples of Kyro Distillery and HKScan -- the former produces alcoholic drinks by distilling 100 percent whole-grain rye and the latter developed premium quality Omega-3 pork.
“Innovative technologies and exotic ingredients are being used for delicious, healthy and sustainable eating.”
Experimental restaurant Ultima that opened in May in Helsinki grows its own ingredients through a top-quality hydroponic system and bio-design technologies, with the aim to reinvent how restaurants source ingredients.
The country's emphasis on those factors has already gained global recognition as CNN recently referred to Helsinki as Europe's hottest new food destination, describing its food as “vibrant, ingenious, inventive, fresh and fun.”
In addition to its unique food culture, a wide range of culinary events help Finland establish itself as an emerging travel destination for foodies.
On Restaurant Day, anyone can open a pop-up restaurant anywhere. For the annual Baltic Herring Market ― a tradition dating back to 1743 ― fishermen from seaside towns gather in Helsinki carrying thousands of kilograms of herring and other islander-style delicacies.
Meanwhile, Finland is becoming one of the fast-growing tourist destinations for Koreans.
According to Visit Finland, Korean arrivals in Finland grew over 30 percent between January and July this year compared to a year before, one of the fastest growth rates among all countries. In particular, the number of visitors to Lakeland, a place known for its seafood, pure water and forests, increased by over 400 percent year-on-year.