Do you know how to make a hot dog? Well, you’re probably looking at me with a strange face thinking, “Well, of course, who doesn’t know how to do that? It’s the simplest thing in the world.” Okay, maybe my question isn’t the right one. Would you know how to make a tremendously delicious hot dog? That’s another story. Hot dogs are a simple dish, but if done the right way, they can be a delicacy. Let’s discover a bit about the famous Icelandic hot dogs, which by now are almost the unofficial national dish of Iceland and a national treasure.
In Iceland, we have our own way of making hot dogs. The ingredients vary compared to other countries, so they are delicious but also unique. Once you try them, you’ll want more. If you come to Iceland, the first thing you need to do is forget about those New Year’s resolutions and other stories. January and the following months are the coldest of the year, so you’ll need extra calories to maintain vital functions. Remoulade sauce and onions are our best friends.
Icelandic Hot Dogs – The Ingredients
In blogs, magazines, and articles about Iceland. Wherever, they are always talked about and constantly recommended: Try the hot dogs in Iceland! But what makes them special? Let’s see:
The Bun:
To be honest, there’s really nothing special about the bun. Like any other hot dog, they have a fluffy bun, but at the same time, it’s firm enough to hold everything. We steam it for a few seconds to make it warm and soft.
The Sausage:
Now this is where things get interesting. The taste of the meat is crucial when it comes to a hot dog, and this also applies to the Icelandic case. Our hot dog sausages are made with Icelandic lamb, beef, and pork. Icelandic sheep graze completely freely, without any worries in our meadows. If you ever come to Iceland, you’ll notice that they are everywhere. They eat fresh grass and live a low-stress life. This makes the final product of very high quality and intense flavor.
The Condiments:
If we have a sausage with intense and succulent flavor, we need to find the perfect accompaniments. And in Iceland, we have plenty of options to choose from: onion, ketchup, Pylsusinnep, Remoulade, and fried onion. Or well, you don’t have to choose; just put them all on! For me, Remoulade sauce is ambrosia. It’s made with a mix of mayonnaise and pickles, delicious! It’s the perfect mix to add to our hot dogs.
Pylsusinnep translates literally to “hot dog mustard,” but it’s not a normal mustard. It’s brown in color, a mix of mustard, honey, and beer. It perfectly combines with the other ingredients. How about a bit of extra crunch? Well, crispy fried onions to the rescue! I love hearing the sound of the fried onions when I bite into that fluffy bun. Without them, it wouldn’t be the same! Now, let’s get to the controversial moment.
Many people don’t like raw onions, but I promise you, in this case, you’ll love them! Each ingredient provides the perfect balance in the Icelandic hot dog; each condiment plays its own role. Just try it, if you don’t like it, no problem. They are one of the cheapest foods in Iceland. You can order one without raw onion, and problem solved.
Icelandic Hot Dogs – Where and How to Order Them
Fortunately, hot dogs can be found in any corner of Iceland. For many of us, it’s all-terrain food. Winters are cold. The wind constantly blows throughout the country. Heading to a hot dog stand and enjoying a delicious, cheap, and high-quality meal is synonymous with happiness for me. There are plenty of hot dog stands in Iceland.
We call them Pylsur in plural or Pylsa when referring to a single hot dog. These stands are easy to spot since there’s usually a queue of people. Besides hot dog stands, you can also buy them at any gas station, and they taste as good as anywhere else. On our little Nordic island, gas stations serve really appetizing food at excellent prices; among them, our beloved Pylsur. The most famous hot dog stand in Iceland is located in downtown Reykjavik. It’s called Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, which literally means the best hot dogs in town.
This stand has been serving hot dogs since 1937, and many celebrities have visited it. Its most famous visitor was Bill Clinton. Everyone witnessed that historic moment when he commented on how good they were. When you order a hot dog, you can choose each ingredient separately, but the best way to try an Icelandic hot dog is to get everything on it. If you’re adventurous enough, you can try to order it in Icelandic. Just say Ein með öllu! (Something like “an meth alt”). Everyone will understand what you mean, and the locals will love the fact that you tried to speak Icelandic.
Icelandic Hot Dogs: A Great Way to Save Money
As I mentioned earlier, hot dogs in Iceland are one of the cheapest dishes you can find in the entire country. The price is around 350 ISK or 3€. Usually, they also come in combos, so you can buy a hot dog and a soda for about 500 ISK, or around 4.5€. I know hot dogs are not a complete meal, but if you fancy a light snack or even a light dinner, you can save a lot of money compared to any restaurant in Iceland. No wonder why it has become the unofficial national dish of Iceland. Locals and visitors alike love it.
The Famous Icelandic Hot Dogs
No visit to Iceland is complete without trying one of its most famous dishes. They are available all year round; you can eat them however you like. Whether you’re on a budget or not, it really doesn’t matter. You have to try one, period! I don’t know if they’re the best hot dogs in the world, but they’re definitely great. Verði þér að góðu! Enjoy your meal!
