The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
5 countries with similar food to Swedish food
Sweden’s food offers a fascinating blend of flavors and traditions deeply rooted in the country’s history, geography, and cultural influences. Situated in Northern Europe, Sweden’s cuisine reflects its northern climate and agricultural heritage. The five countries with the most similar food are also located in Europe.
- Denmark and Sweden are part of the Nordic region, and their culinary traditions exhibit several similarities. Open-faced sandwiches are popular in both countries. In addition, pickled herring is a common dish in their cuisines. Hearty meat dishes and the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients are prominent parts of both their cuisines.
- Norway borders Sweden to the west. These countries also share many culinary similarities. Their cuisine features an abundance of seafood, especially salmon and herring. Additionally, both countries enjoy meatballs, often served with lingonberry sauce, and potato dishes. The two nations also have a penchant for creamy sauces.
- Austria does not border Sweden, but it is another Germanic country on this list. Both countries have a strong tradition of pastry-making and baking. Swedish pastries like cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns are similar to Austrian treats like strudel and various types of tortes. Pork is the most popular meat in both nations.
- Finland was ruled by Sweden for almost 700 years. In fact, Swedish is still one of Finland’s official languages. In addition, their climate and food are similar as well. Both countries have a strong tradition of eating rye bread. Carrots are another common ingredient in their diets. Salmon, herring, and whitefish are key parts of their culinary repertoire.
- Luxembourg and Sweden prioritize seasonal ingredients and rely on fresh produce. These countries also tend to eat a lot of cheese. Whether it’s Luxembourg’s Judd mat Gaardebounen or Sweden’s meatballs and stews, both culinary traditions feature dishes that provide warmth and sustenance during long winters.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Sweden
5 countries with the least similar food to Swedish food
In stark contrast to Sweden, the five countries with the least similar food have a much warmer climate. Moreover, these countries are far less developed than Sweden. Compared to Sweden, these countries do not often eat pork products or cheese, two of the most prominent ingredients in Swedish cuisine.
- Chad is mostly desert land. It is a sparsely populated, landlocked country in Africa. Chad’s cuisine is far different from Sweden’s, since it heavily relies on food ingredients like millet, sorghum, rice, corn, and beans.
- South Sudan is another landlocked country in Africa that borders Sudan. Cassava is the most common starch there, however South Sudanese eat their fair share of sorghum as well. Porridge is one of the most popular dishes in the country.
- Micronesia is a group of small tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean. As a result, their diet is heavily based on seafood. Furthermore, coconut and cassava are a bigger part of Micronesia’s cuisine than Sweden’s.
- Central African Republic is another former French colony in the middle of Africa on this list. The majority of the country’s diet is based on cassava and yams. Bananas and plantains are also an extremely common source of food in the country.
- Democratic Republic of Congo is located in the center of Africa. The country features vast swathes of dense rainforests. As a result, its people eat a wide variety of tropical fruits and vegetables. Cassava is the most commonly eaten food in the country.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Sweden
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Sweden’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Pork, Beef
Fruit: Apple, Banana
Vegetable: Tomato, Carrot
Starch: Wheat, Potato
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
6.) UNITED KINGDOM is not a Scandinavian country, but it also borders the North Sea. Scotland’s cuisine in particular has several parallels with Swedish food. Smoked fish is beloved in both regions. Both cuisines feature hearty, warming dishes like stews and soups, often made with root vegetables and oats. These countries also consume a lot of savory meat pies.
7.) CZECHIA and Sweden have a tradition of curing and preserving meats. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat in both countries, although Sweden tends to consume more fish. Wheat, potatoes, and rye are the three most popular starches in these countries. Furthermore, both countries have a rich tradition of dairy products.
8.) SWITZERLAND is much more further south, although its alpine climate is also quite cold. Their diets share many similarities. Both countries have a fondness for dairy products, especially cheese. In addition, these countries eat many potato-based dishes. They are two of the richest nations in Europe and enjoy a lot of variety in their cuisines.
9.) FRANCE and Sweden prioritize seasonal ingredients and rely on fresh produce. These countries also tend to eat a lot of cheese. Whether it’s France’s ratattouille or Sweden’s meatballs and stews, both culinary traditions feature dishes that provide warmth and sustenance during long winters.
10.) GERMANY does not border Sweden, but it is another Germanic country on this list. Both countries have a strong tradition of pastry-making and baking. Swedish pastries like cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns are similar to German treats like strudel and various types of tortes. Pork is the most popular meat in both nations.
11.) BELGIUM and Sweden, despite being geographically distant, exhibit a reliance on hearty and warming dishes. Potatoes, root vegetables like carrots and turnips, and preserved foods are staple ingredients in the culinary traditions of both nations. These countries have their own versions of meatballs. In addition, they have a tradition of seafood dishes.
12.) SLOVAKIA and Sweden have a tradition of curing and preserving meats. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat in both countries, although Sweden tends to consume more fish. Wheat, potatoes, and rye are the three most popular starches in these countries. Furthermore, both countries have a rich tradition of dairy products.
13.) IRELAND‘s food culture shares many parallels with Sweden’s. Both nations appreciate the value of preserved foods. Swedish dishes like smoked salmon and meatballs resonate with Ireland’s fondness for fish, pork, and beef. Offals are commonly eaten in both cuisines as well.
6.) UNITED KINGDOM is just across the North Sea from Sweden. Swedes have adopted many British dishes. Herring, a popular fish in Sweden, is often served in a similar way as in the UK – pickled or smoked. Swedes also enjoy fish and chips. Both nations appreciate traditional meat pies, such as steak and kidney pie. Furthermore, both countries tend to consume a lot of dairy products as well.
7.) CZECHIA and Sweden have a tradition of curing and preserving meats. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat in both countries, although Sweden tends to consume more fish. Wheat, potatoes, and rye are the three most popular starches in these countries. Furthermore, both countries have a rich tradition of dairy products.
8.) SWITZERLAND is much more further south, although its alpine climate is also quite cold. Their diets share many similarities. The countries tend to eat a lot of dairy products. In addition, their food features breads and pastries. Both countries rely on potatoes in many dishes. Swiss and Swedish cuisines feature a variety of sausages and charcuterie as well.
9.) FRANCE and Sweden prioritize seasonal ingredients and rely on fresh produce. These countries also tend to eat a lot of cheese. Whether it’s France’s ratattouille or Sweden’s meatballs and stews, both culinary traditions feature dishes that provide warmth and sustenance during long winters.
10.) GERMANY does not border Sweden, but it is another Germanic country on this list. Both countries have a strong tradition of pastry-making and baking. Swedish pastries like cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns are similar to German treats like strudel and various types of tortes. Pork is the most popular meat in both nations.
11.) BELGIUM and Sweden, despite being geographically distant, exhibit a reliance on hearty and warming dishes. Potatoes, root vegetables like carrots and turnips, and preserved foods are staple ingredients in the culinary traditions of both nations. These countries have their own versions of meatballs. In addition, they have a tradition of seafood dishes. Also, stews such as stoofvlees, erwtensoep, and waterzooi, find their own counterpart in Sweden. In addition, fries often accompany many of the meals in these countries.
12.) SLOVAKIA and Sweden have a tradition of curing and preserving meats. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat in both countries, although Sweden tends to consume more fish. Wheat, potatoes, and rye are the three most popular starches in these countries. Furthermore, both countries have a rich tradition of dairy products.
13.) IRELAND‘s food culture shares many parallels with Sweden’s. Both nations appreciate the value of preserved foods. Swedish dishes like smoked salmon and meatballs resonate with Ireland’s fondness for fish, pork, and beef. Offals are commonly eaten in both cuisines as well.
18.) NETHERLANDS is another country that borders the North Sea. There were many interactions between both countries, such as the trades between Frisians and Vikings, as well the occasional Viking invasions of Frisia and the rest of the Netherlands. As a result, the Netherlands has many similarities with Scandinavia, despite not being part of it. Both countries appreciate seafood and utilize it extensively in their cuisine. Smoked herring, eel, and mackerel are commonly eaten in both nations. Additionally, Swedish open-faced sandwiches, known as smorgasbord, resemble Dutch broodjes. Moreover, both Dutch and Swedish people tend to consume a lot of cheese as well.