Food in Copenhagen

Someone (a member of my family, with standard Dean priorities) asked me how the food has been so far on this adventure. I’m happy to say we’ve been eating very well, from the yummy morning Danishes with cappucino we had at the fabulous local joint Lagkagehuset in Christianshavn (see left) to the hot dogs and ice cream available on every street corner to the fine meals we've had before and after opera performances, such as this one in the café of the terrific Craft Industry Museum—yes, that’s a Danish quesadilla with jalapenos on it, that thing that looks like a big pancake, or some naan bread.



I’m proud to say we tried smørrebrød, the national obsession, and I thought it was great—that’s a plate full of small open-faced sandwiches on thin rye bread, and they come with all sorts of toppings. The edgiest one I tried was aged Icelandic herring, and I really loved it. Speight, who’s a vegetarian, has been having a harder time than usual finding good vegetarian options; but the rest of us (including Linda Jenkins, pictured below) have had a good gastronomical trip so far—and it looks like it’s only going to get better.



All Danish culture, and all Viking culture before it, is based on the sea, and the food is no exception—we’re really big on fish and shellfish here. Much of the Danish countryside is farmland, but you’re never far from the ocean here, and so you’re always eating its bounty. Below, Mary imitates the pose of her favorite statue, the fishwife on the canal leading to Slotsholmen.