Gothenburg Street Food &

Local Markets

Gothenburg is a beautiful and peaceful Swedish city that should not be missed when heading to Stockholm. Although I only spent two days there, I enjoyed my time wandering through the parks and botanical gardens in between my searches for great Gothenburg street food. Although the city is on the more expensive end, the parks and botanical gardens are free and well worth the time exploring.

Due to a limited schedule and some vendors having been closed on Sunday, I was only able to explore a few meal options but I knew exactly where I wanted to go.

Travel Tip: Locals seem to appreciate if you attempt to pronounce Gothenburg the Swedish way which sounds like “yeh-te-BOR-ee”. You can also listen here.

Strömmingsluckan: Magasinsgatan 17, 411 18 Göteborg

Translating to “Herring Door”, Strömmingsluckan was one of the most recommended Gothenburg street food options I came across. Located in a courtyard along with several other food trucks, they have been putting out quality street food since 2009. Fried herring has been a longtime favorite of the Swedes because it is so plentiful off their coasts and is relatively inexpensive.

The fried herring at Strömmingsluckan is served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries. The fish itself can be fried either the standard way, pictured below, or with added dijon mustard and horseradish cream. I went with the standard method at their recommendation but in retrospect wish that I had tried both. The traditional preparation method I ordered was good but could have used a little extra kick from some horseradish and dijon. Still, I enjoyed the dish and it’s unlike any sort of typical fried fish I’ve ever eaten. For that reason alone, it’s definitely worth a try. The staff there also recommended the fish cake but unfortunately my stomach wasn’t big enough to try everything.

The rest of their menu can be found here.

Bánh Mì Truck: Tredje Långgaten 9, 413 03 Göteborg (Inside courtyard)

Historically, one result of the French colonizing Vietnam in the late 1800’s led to a sandwich called the bánh mí. This culinary hybrid is generally made with pork, herbs and vegetables on French baguette. Some say this might be the greatest sandwich in the world. When it’s done right, I’m inclined to agree.

After discovering Bánh Mì Truck on Food-Trucks.se I had to give this Gothenburg street food a try. These guys are currently preparing four different versions including hoisin-roasted pork, lemongrass chicken, fishcakes with ginger & mint and crispy tofu & beansprouts. Pork and hoisin are two of my favorite flavors so I didn’t think twice before ordering one.

The pork was nicely prepared and I loved the added sweetness of the hoisin. The Vietnamese pickled vegetables, cilantro and mint all added refreshing flavors, as well as a hint of bitter and sour. The chili/lime mayo added some additional richness and acid. The baguette was hollowed out so that it added a crispy texture but didn’t take away from the flavors inside. I found myself wishing they were heavier on the meat but I really enjoyed the sandwich overall. This is definitely worth a try but may not fill you up if you’re really hungry.

Kåge’s Hörna – Market Hall (Saluhallen) 411 17, Göteborg

No visit would be complete without Swedish meatballs! But what do they call this dish in Sweden, you ask? I learned that they call them “beef burgers”. It wasn’t what I was expecting but it was just another interesting aspect of my visit. This is more of a budget restaurant inside the market but could also be ordered to go and eaten in a common area outside like many other Gothenburg street food options.

Inside of the Market Hall, Kåge’s Hörna, translating to Kage’s Corner, dishes out local favorites such as different kinds of baked fish, stuffed cabbage, soups and stews. They also have rotating options such as curry chicken and rice, as well as goulash. Orders can be placed for grab & go or for dining in at one of their bar stools.

After learning the appropriate name, I ordered the “beef burger” with onion gravy, potatoes, lingonberries and a small salad. I was not disappointed. The meatballs and gravy were rich and enjoyable. The potatoes were surprisingly flavorful and the lingonberries added a nice sweet element associated with this signature dish.

When tasting all of these flavors together, I have to admit feeling like I had really arrived in Sweden. Service was cordial and everyone was very busy in the somewhat cramped kitchen. This appeared to be the busiest restaurant in the Great Market Hall and it was a meal I thoroughly enjoyed, both for the experience and context of finally enjoying this dish in its native land.

The complete Kåga Hörna menu can be found here.

Market Hall (Saluhallen) – 411 17, Göteborg

Kåge’s Hörna isn’t the only reason people come to the Market Hall. Since the mid-1800’s, this place has been offering specialty products such as meats, cheese, spices, tea & coffee, sweets and other fine foods from around the world. With around 40 vendors total, the hall hosts several other fine restaurants that offer grab & go and dine-in options. A visit here should be incorporated into any trip to Gothenburg.

The amount of olives and other pickled items in this market is staggering! Take your time, ask to taste a few things and spend some time here.

Fish Church (Feskekörka) – Rosenlundsvägen, 411 25 Göteborg

After a visit to Market Hall, make sure to visit Feskekörka, which is not far away. It reportedly earned its name of Fish Church due to the shape of the building, which resembles a church. Whether you love seafood or not, it is well worth the experience. Fish mongers sell fresh products caught earlier that day in the nearby waters. This means you may also want to show up early if you want the best selection.

If you like to cook like I do, grab whatever fish or crustacean looks best to you and take it back with some simple seasoning, oil or butter, a lemon, seasoning and fresh vegetables. If you’re not into cooking or you don’t have the time, grab one of their many pre-made seafood dishes such as breaded fish, salads, shrimp cocktail and more for Gothenburg street food options. Common tables just outside allow for you to eat on site, or you can always grab something to go.

Gothenburg Street Food & Market Locations

Streetkäk: Gothenburg Street Food App

Streetkäk is a website and app I used during my time in Gothenburg and Stockholm. They describe themselves as the “first and only app to locate food trucks in Sweden real time”. Their approach is to partner with each truck and sync their address and hours of operation so that users can locate each one.

I used this as a resource for locating available Gothenburg street food options but also noticed that it was not always accurate. I would recommend linking to the website and/or Facebook page provided for each truck to ensure the information is accurate before heading there. This app is, however, a very comprehensive application and shows a lot of potential.

Streetkäk’s app is available for download through the App Store or for Android.

Make sure to check out Stockholm street food and markets >>

Budgetting for Sweden

Although Gothenburg is not a budget destination, it is possible to visit this city without blowing your entire travel budget. The affordable food options I’ve listed combined with cooking a few meals wherever you’re staying with ingredients found at these local markets will go a long way.

I would also recommend considering CouchSurfing as Sweden is an incredibly safe country and many Swedes live alone and host couchsurfers regularly. I stayed at hostels in both cities but found the $35/night price tags to be high and offered few benefits. For transportation between Gothenburg and Stockholm, try ride-sharing through a website such as BlahBlahCar. Prices are in the $30 range, as opposed to the trains which range from $40-$120.

Enjoy your time in Gothenburg!

Skål! (Cheers in Swedish)

– Cam

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