Why danish herring is basically a national treasure (and why we do it better)
A love letter to the little fish with big flavor
Let’s be honest: herring doesn’t sound sexy. It’s a small, oily fish that’s been salted, pickled, and passed down through generations of Nordic grandmothers. But here in Denmark? Herring is a rite of passage. A cultural icon. The Beyoncé of the open-faced sandwich world. 🇩🇰🐟
And at Nyhavn 41, we don’t just serve herring, we give it the royal treatment.
A little (pickled) history
Herring has been swimming around Danish cuisine since the Vikings. It was practical: easy to preserve, full of nutrients, and you could trade it for pretty much anything. Over the centuries, it became a mainstay of Danish smørrebrød, especially at Christmas and Easter, when the national sport is eating as much herring as humanly possible.
Our Herring is marinated in-house for the traditional Marinated Herring Smørrebrød
Why it’s a must-try (even if you’re nervous)
Pickled herring is one of those things you think you don’t like… until you do. Ours is marinated in-house, served with crème fraîche, crisp apple, red onion, dill, frisée, and capers. It’s creamy, tangy, sweet, and punchy, a bite that wakes you up and tells your taste buds you’re in Denmark now.
And yes, you’re supposed to eat it with snaps. Preferably cold. Preferably followed by loud toasts and slightly bad decisions.
How we do it better at Nyhavn 41
Here’s the thing: we love tradition, but we also like to flirt with it a little. Our herring isn’t an afterthought or a tourist trap, it’s balanced, thoughtful, and plated like it’s about to walk the runway. Every ingredient is there to complement the fish, not bury it.
Apples: for brightness and crunch
Crème fraîche: creamy contrast to the vinegar
Capers & onions: for salt and bite
Frisée & dill: because we like drama, but edible
And of course our base of rye bread with butter ❤️.
💡 Pro Tip
The first bite is the boldest. If you’re new to herring, pair it with a crisp snaps. Take it slow. Let the layers hit. If you’re already a herring lover? You’ll feel right at home.
Come taste the classic
So yes, herring is a national treasure. But we’d argue it becomes art when served with care, style, and a little culinary ego. And we’re proud to say: that’s exactly what we do.
Ready for your fish awakening? Pull up a chair at Nyhavn 41. Your smørrebrød awaits.
