Table of Contents

Päijät-Häme cuisine

Lahden Silakkapihvit (Lahti-style Baltic Herring Steaks)

A local specialty where Baltic herring fillets are layered with rye flour, butter, and spices, then pan-fried until crispy. 1)

Heinolan Järvikalakeitto (Heinola Lake Fish Soup)

This clear broth soup is made with fresh lake fish (like perch or pike), root vegetables, and dill, served with dark rye bread. 2)

Orimattilan Hirvipaisti (Orimattila-style Roasted Moose)

A traditional moose roast, slow-cooked with juniper berries, onions, and wild mushrooms, often served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce. 3)

Ruisleipä Juurella (Traditional Sourdough Rye Bread)

This hearty sourdough rye bread, common in Päijät-Häme, is fermented for several days, giving it a deep, tangy flavor. 4)

Puljongin Palapaisti (Puljonki Beef Stew)

A slow-cooked beef stew with carrots, potatoes, and bay leaves, often served with a side of pickled cucumber and lingonberries. 5)

Päijänteen Siikapihvit (Päijänne Whitefish Patties)

Whitefish from Lake Päijänne is minced and mixed with potatoes, eggs, and herbs, then pan-fried into golden fish cakes. 6)

Omenahyve (Apple Delight)

A regional dessert made from baked apples, sugar, cinnamon, and crushed rye crispbread, served with vanilla sauce. 7)

Vesijärven Savulohi (Smoked Salmon from Lake Vesijärvi)

Locally caught salmon is smoked over alderwood, giving it a deep, rich flavor, often paired with mustard-dill sauce. 8)

Heinolalainen Juustokeitto (Heinola Cheese Soup)

A creamy cheese soup made with local cheese, butter, and milk, sometimes flavored with nutmeg or caraway seeds. 9)

Mustikkakukko (Blueberry Rye Pie)

A traditional Finnish dessert from the region, where sweet blueberries are baked inside a rye crust, creating a rustic yet delicious pie. 10)

Orimattilan Jänispaisti (Orimattila-style Rabbit Roast)

A rare but traditional dish, where wild rabbit is marinated with juniper, slow-roasted, and served with mushroom sauce. 11)

Mämmi Päijät-Hämeen Tyyliin (Päijät-Häme-style Mämmi)

A regional twist on Finland’s famous rye pudding, often served with whipped cream and honey instead of the traditional cream and sugar. 12)

Päijät-Hämeen Perunarieska (Potato Flatbread)

A soft, chewy flatbread made with boiled potatoes and rye flour, served warm with butter and cheese. 13)

Heinolan Hernekeitto (Heinola Pea Soup)

A thicker, richer version of Finland’s classic pea soup, often featuring chunks of smoked ham and served with strong mustard. 14)

Paistetut Kantarellit ja Muusi (Fried Chanterelles with Mashed Potatoes)

A simple yet delicious dish, where golden chanterelle mushrooms are fried with butter and onions, then served over creamy mashed potatoes. 15)