Unique Snacks to Stock Up On at Ikea

Updated on 5/17/2016 at 5:30 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

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I recently visited Ikea with one purpose in mind: to try every food item I could get my hands on, starting with a few items typically eaten during a Swedish breakfast or fika (aka coffee break), but which Americans might consider snacks or appetizers. Some of them were straight-up weird (i.e. onion-y pickled herring), and others, while unusual, I found surprisingly addictive (i.e. Kalles cream smoked roe). I subjected my taste buds to it all so I could share with you which are the items you should absolutely stock up on at Ikea the next time you feel inspired to snack like the Swedes.

Soft Thin Bread ($2)

In the freezer section of the market, you'll find one of my favorite products, Soft Thin Bread. It reminds me of lavash in texture and flavor.

POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Kalles Creamed Smoked Roe

These little tubes of creamed smoked roe (price not listed on the Ikea website) are as popular in Sweden as Heinz ketchup is in the United States. The spread, usually eaten for breakfast, tastes more like savory umami than fish. It's usually spead over toast, crackers, or thin bread with a bit of sliced cucumber.

Kalles Creamed Smoked Roe

Elderflower and Lingonberry Syrups ($5)

The Swedish version of Kool-Aid? These syrups are made of elderflower and lingonberry. You can dilute them with water or sparkling water to your desired sweetness.

Herring Fillets ($3)

OK, I enjoy pickled things, so I found these Matjes Herring Fillets to be quite enjoyable, especially over the thin bread. This snack is definitely for the person who enjoys canned seafood like sardines and anchovies. My second favorite product is the Marinated Herring With Mustard Sauce. The sweet mustard sauce cuts the briny flavor of the pickled herring.

Ikea Cheeses

Semi-Hard Cheese ($7)

While the Swedes may eat slices of this for breakfast or in a sandwich during fika (a coffee/snack break taken midmorning and midafternoon), you might enjoy this Semi-Hard Cheese ($7) for a dinner party or to grate over eggs, pasta, or whatever! It's slightly sour but not too funky, almost like a swiss cheese.

Semi-Hard Cheese

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Semi-Hard Cheese ($7)

The other Semi-Hard Cheese that starts with an "H" is slightly funkier, saltier, and bolder.

Blue Cheese ($4)

This Blue Cheese doesn't hold back on its flavor. I would likely pair it with some honey and toasted walnuts to tone down the tartness.

Rye Crispbread ($3)

The Rye Crispbread is one of Ikea's bestsellers, and let me tell you, it is one hearty, crunchy cracker. One of these wafers is likely to fill you up until lunchtime, especially if topped with a big slab of cheese.