The best street food in Sweden is definitely tunnbrödsrulle. Despite the fact that it’s difficult to pronounce if you’re not Swedish, it is unquestionably among the most delicious and comforting street foods in the world.
It may be found mostly in street canteens in Stockholm and the other towns in Sweden. After a fun-filled night, it is the preferred dish for Swedes. It is not by chance that the late, great Anthony Bourdain described his experience eating tunnbrödsrulle as “the finest and best thing I’ve ever had in my life.”
WHAT IS TUNNBRÖDSRULLE
Tunnbrödsrulle is actually a hot dog roll made of tunnbröd (a type of traditional wheat flatbread). It is filled with mashed potatoes, sausage, skagenröra (shrimp salad), onions, tomato, cucumber, ketchup, and mustard. You have the option to add more than one sausage or to exclude certain ingredients. However, it is definitely not tunnbrödsrulle without mashed potatoes and shrimp salad.
The main ingredient is definitely tunnbröd, which tastes and feels like a tortilla. It’s something you can easily find in supermarkets and IKEA stores’ food departments. If you are in Norway, though, you can sample tunnbrödsrulle with a Norwegian twist. Instead of making it using wheat flatbread, Norwegians make it with potato flatbread. In general, this kind of hot dog is well-liked in Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
THE ORIGIN OF TUNNBRÖDSRULLE
Even though tunnbrödsrulle is prepared using traditional flatbread, it is a very recent addition to the street food menu. The most widely held belief is that it was invented by a man called Elov “Loffe” Bratfors at his Loffes Grill. Loffe opened that stand in 1962 and ran it until 2015, the year he turned 80. Since he was the first to install a mashed potato machine, he is considered a trailblazer in the world of Scandinavian hot dog stalls. His specialty was selling mashed potatoes, hot dogs, fries, and hamburgers. One day, as he was experimenting and without giving it much thought, he combined shrimp salad and mashed potatoes with the hot dog. The rest is history.
WHAT MAKES TUNNBRÖDSRULLE SPECIAL
Tunnbrödsrulle is a delicious combination, despite the fact that its description makes you wonder if you can eat it. It is undoubtedly one of the most delicious and comforting street snacks you will ever try. It is an exquisitely harmonious blend of flavours and ingredients that conceals the whole Swedish heritage. Sausage, shrimps, and mashed potatoes—what could be more Swedish? Tunnbrödsrulle is not a roadside bite; rather, it fills you up like a substantial meal. It is not without reason that it is always given with a fork, so you can take your time and savour it in all of its delectable beauty. This is a street dish that will fill you up and give you a sense of familiarity and comfort.
WHERE CAN YOU EAT TUNNBRÖDSRULLE
There are numerous canteens in Stockholm that provide delicious tunnbrödsrulle. The majority and best of them, however, are found in the city’s less-tourist neighbourhoods rather than in its centre. Based on local suggestions, the next four places offer quality products and are situated in easily accessible spots.
Östermalmsgrillen (Östermalmstorg 2A, 114 42 Stockholm): This place is well-known in the Östermalm neighbourhood for its burgers, but it also serves great tunnbrödsrulle.
Karlagrillen (Karlaplan 3, 114 60 Stockholm): Another fantastic place near Östermalm that provides a variety of dishes with sausages, including tunnbrödsrulle.
Nyhetsgrillen (Rålambsvägen 13, 112 59 Stockholm): Locals love this canteen, even if it’s a little bit out of the city centre. It has great tunnbrödsrulle, with the mashed potatoes being especially good.
Nybrogrillen (Nybroplan 2, 111 47 Stockholm): In a very convenient location, very close to the Royal Theatre, this canteen is usually very crowded. It serves a pretty good tunnbrödsrulle if you don’t want to move away from the city centre.
We should also mention that, in addition to the suggestions given above, we had an excellent tunnbrödsrulle at Nybrogrillen (Östra Ågatan 31) in Uppsala. The canteen also offers a lovely seating spot close to the river.
AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
If you enjoy trying out new flavours whenever possible, you should definitely try tunnbrödsrulle when you visit Sweden. It’s among the most delicious and comforting street foods in the world, and it’s without a doubt the best street food in Sweden. It is a delicious gastronomic experience worth remembering. If you try tunnbrödsrulle, you will certainly agree with the late Anthony Bourdain.
