Dimples on the Edge

(based on hotdogs)

Over the past year, I have engaged in the distinct joy of travel. In particular, I recently accomplished a feat I never sought, of visiting every Nordic country: Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, & Finland. Now, there is a lot of debate over Nordic vs Scandinavian, and I am not expert on the topic, so I’ll stick with what appears to be a generally accepted consensus.

As a cactus flower, I thrive more in outrageously hot and sunny conditions, so visiting these countries was never quite at the top of my radar. However, life’s current personal predicaments have me traveling within the Schengen Zone, so I had to be open to the opportunities available. After exploring southern and continental Europe, it became time to cast my gaze northward.

Why hotdogs, you ask? Honestly, this tradition was made without intention to start. While making my way through Iceland on a roadtrip, my companion & I caught word of delicious roadside hotdogs that were worth the stop. Then, other hotdogs in other countries started popping up during travels, & by the third country, a tradition had been established. Holiday hotdogs provide a little fun pep.

Now, here are the rankings of Nordic countries based on their hotdogs:

5. Norway (Oslo) – The NorWeiner* was possibly the most hyped, hailing from a cute little hut out of the way at the the top of a park. The flavor was no where to be found, and given how long the line was, a major letdown.

Similar to Norway in the that it takes a bit of time to get there, that’s about where the comparison stops. Norway is an amazing country definitely worth visiting, just not for its hotdog.

4. Finland (Helsinki) – The Finnish Frankfurter* was made of reindeer, but tasted like a regular hot dog. Very thick with a nice bun and mustard on top

Much like the Finnish dog, Finland felt comforting and expected. Despite being so far from most things that I know, Helsinki welcomed me.

(pictured with Finnish salmon soup)

3. Iceland (on the road & in Reykjavik) – The IcelanDawg* was an unassuming plain roadside hotdog that packed a serious bacon-wrapped punch. Pillowy soft bun and the option to add the delicious condiments to your preference (mine is generally a mustard-only household, but regional sauce curious)

The sheer simplicity of this dog is the perfect accompaniment to the endless wonders of Iceland. Its majesty lies in its completely unassuming presentation, while the taste will astound.

2. Sweden (Stockholm) – The Swedish Sausage* was a crisp & spicy multilink extravaganza, stuffed into a warm grilled bun with loads of sauerkraut.

This dog was unexpected, especially given the heat factor. I have been missing spice since moving to Europe, and to find it in Scandinavia was certainly not expected.

1. Denmark (Copenhagen) – The Denmark Dog* was a thick and crisp sausage wrapped in deliciously grilled bacon, that was then doused with a healthy bit of creamy remoulade, zesty pickles, and crispy onions. The dog was longer than the bun. 

How does this dog represent Denmark? It’s bigger than expected, with a lot going on at once, yet it somehow all comes together in a delightful way and works.

There you have it, Scandinavia ranked by its offering of encased meat in a bun. While these countries are all absolutely worth the visit, some hotdogs will be much more satisfying than others. Go forth, adventure, and eat!

*not the name of the actual dogs