Comments on: Norwegian Culture: 21 Must-Know Traditions In Norway

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:02:17 +0000

In reply to David Nikel. Keep adding to it! You build a beautiful picture

By: Dot

Dot — Thu, 30 May 2024 06:55:51 +0000

In reply to Kari Jevne. Thanks, Kari! This was interesting. My husband and I have lived in Bergen for 3 years now, and had wondered about this aspect of “foreign” food. I appreciate your integrating the aspect of the livable wage.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sat, 11 May 2024 21:52:22 +0000

I love all of your articles. 🥰 I am dreaming of visiting again in 2025 or 2026. I love the info about the television programming, relaxing.

By: Kari Jevne

Kari Jevne — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 21:48:41 +0000

Why are we Norwegians obsessed with tasteless tacos and frozen pizza?
I think the answer lies in the Norwegian model, which means that everyone should have a living wage in Norway, including those who “work at McDonalds”. The consequence is that it is expensive to eat out in Norway. A normal family therefore cooks most of its own food, because even ordering a pizza is expensive.
Frozen pizza and ready-made taco products are therefore an easy alternative after a long working week, when you’d rather sink into the comforter and relax. Traditional Norwegian food is not spicy, only salted for preservation and added a little pepper or other spices when cooking the meal. Norwegian raw materials are of good quality, partly because of the cold climate, partly because we use little medicine in agriculture. We don’t need to drown out the flavor of the fish or the meat with spices.
Nevertheless, we have had a “taste of the world” on our travels abroad, and taco came to the country with American oil workers. We have adopted what was foreign food, but adapted it to our Norwegian palates in order not to “burn ourselves in the mouth”.
When we buy a lot of “tasteless” tacos and pizza, it is because our children will eat the same food as the adults. Those who want it choose a stronger sauce at the table, or they add extra spices before frying the pizza or mincemeat. We still eat porridge, Norwegian meat cakes and fårikål/mutton cabbage, and season them in the traditional way, although garlic and chili are gradually creeping into many traditional dishes.

By: Kari Jevne

Kari Jevne — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 21:22:36 +0000

Your description of small trolls made me think that you actually meant nissen, because as a Norwegian, I will say trolls are always big.

By: Mildred Howard

Mildred Howard — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 14:08:14 +0000

Enjoying every publication. My ancestry is Norwegian.
Still looking for the place called DOBYN. Saw it on a Norwegian map.
Look forward to your news.
Mildred Howard

By: James Bussey

James Bussey — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 08:19:24 +0000

An important part of Norwegian culture is woodworking, from Viking ships and stavkirker, though to farm buildings like the stabbur and some railway buildings.
Another supernatural creature is the hulder, several of whom were seen in the Oslo Nordmark.

By: David Nikel

David Nikel — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 11:57:16 +0000

In reply to Stan Marrow. No, but I had to draw the line somewhere! A list such as this could go on forever.

By: Stan Marrow

Stan Marrow — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 10:45:51 +0000

Did you forget Nisse the little elf who helps farmers care for the animals?

By: Sandra Bestland

Sandra Bestland — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 14:03:19 +0000

Hi, David.

I am of Norwegian ancestry and just returned from a 12-day adventure through Norway. Every point you make about Norwegian culture is true. I spent Constitution Day in Trondheim and the parade, bunads, and church service at Nidaros Cathedral made for a magical day. Another thing of interest in Norway are the family-friendly open-air museums scattered around the country (Maihaugen, Setesdal, Folkemuseum near Olso). Many have farm buildings dating back hundreds of years and stave churches dating back 1,000 years. Thank you for a good read.