History
Kalix löjrom from the Bothnian coast received EU Protected Designation of Origin in 2010, the only Swedish food product so designated. The roe is harvested October through November from the bleak (Coregonus albula). Stockholm's Lisa Elmqvist at Östermalms Saluhall and Wedholms Fisk at Nybrokajen are the canonical suppliers; the löjromstoast format codified at Operakällaren in the 1970s alongside Toast Skagen.
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Tours, tastings and classes from the cities on this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Egg, Fish, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 4 slices dense rye bread or 8 small blinis
- 20g butter
- 200ml sour cream or crème fraîche
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 100g löjrom (Kalix bleak roe)
- Chopped fresh dill
- Lemon wedges
Method
- Toast the rye bread until crisp on both sides. Spread thinly with butter.
- Cut each slice into four equal pieces.
- Top each square with a heaped teaspoon of sour cream.
- Add a half-teaspoon of löjrom on top of the sour cream.
- Sprinkle the diced red onion and chopped dill over each.
- Arrange on a platter with lemon wedges and a small spoon for the löjrom. Serve immediately with chilled snaps.
Tip from the editors. Use a non-metal spoon for the roe to avoid metallic taint. Bothnian-coast löjrom is the gold standard; California Hackleback roe is the closest international substitute.
Where to eat löjrom (bleak roe)
Löjrom (bleak roe) in Stockholm
Lisa Elmqvist ★ 4.4
Lisa Elmqvist at Östermalms Saluhall in Stockholm has run a fishmonger and counter restaurant since 1926; oysters, Toast Skagen and the saluhall shellfish.
OrderThe shellfish platter for two and a glass of dry Champagne.
TipThe restaurant is closed on Sunday and closes at 19:00 on Monday, 22:00 Tuesday to Thursday and 23:00 on Friday and Saturday.
Wedholms Fisk ★ 4.5
Wedholms Fisk on Nybrokajen in Stockholm's Norrmalm cooks the canonical Swedish seafood menu; sole meunière, smoked salmon and Janssons frestelse on a single.
OrderWhole sole filleted at the table with the house Janssons frestelse on the side.
TipClosed Sunday and Monday. The corner window seats look across the bay to the Royal Palace.
Sturehof ★ 4.4
Sturehof at Stureplan in Stockholm's Östermalm is the 1897 brasserie locals run on; oysters, Toast Skagen, herring boards and a 365-day kitchen until 02:00.
OrderToast Skagen and a half-dozen oysters at the counter; the snaps tray is the table ritual.
TipThe bar counter is walk-in until late. The Vita Bar room is the quieter sit-down table.
Operakällaren 1 ★ ★ 4.5
Operakällaren in Stockholm's Royal Opera House has cooked classical European food since 1787, with one Michelin star and Emanuel Tärnqvist's tasting room.
OrderThe classic tasting in the main dining room; the Operakällaren wagon of cheese is part of the table service.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipCloses 2027 for a five-year Opera House renovation. Book before December if you want the heritage room before it goes dark.
Tysta Mari ★ 4.0
Tysta Mari at Östermalms Saluhall in Stockholm runs a brasserie counter inside the 1888 market hall, drawing on the day's fish and meat from the surrounding.
OrderThe daily fish from the saluhall counter with horseradish and dill potatoes.
TipOpen in the hall Monday to Friday 09:30 to 19:00 and Saturday 09:30 to 17:00; closed Sunday. Tables can be booked on the website.
More cities are in research. Want löjrom (bleak roe) covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.