Saimaa is a popular tourist destination in Finland. What’s more, it has been named The European Region of Gastronomy for the year 2024.
This means that Saimaa is not only a great choice for nature enthusiasts but also for foodies. It is worth noting that Finland has previously received this title, with Kuopio holding it in 2020 and 2021. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the events were extended for two years. To learn more about the exciting activities, ventures, and events planned for this year in the Saimaa region, be sure to check out the Taste Saimaa website.
From the lake and forest
Saimaa is a region of lakes, where water sports are popular, and fishing is an essential part of the culinary culture. The most popular product from the region is muikku, a fish with tasty white meat that can be grilled, smoked, or baked. Small vendace fried in deep oil are a favorite summer snack. While fishing, one may also spot a ringed seal, a mammal from the seal family. It occurs mainly in the waters of the Arctic Ocean, but as a relic of the Ice Age, it also inhabits lakes Saimaa and Ladoga. For centuries, the forest has been a source of edible plants, including medicinal ones. Guided walks or workshops are recommended for those looking to learn about and collect these plants safely. Knowledgeable guides can provide information on where to look, how to identify edible species, and ensure a safe and educational experience.
A room with a ghost
There are many ways to relax in the Saimaa region. Nature lovers can choose to sleep in tents or stay in summer cottages. For those who prefer to have contact with nature while enjoying various amenities, resorts such as Sahanlahti, Kuru, and Pihlas are available. An interesting place to stay is the Imatran Valtionhotelli in Imatra, which has been operating since 1903 and was built in the Art Nouveau style. The hotel has attracted guests looking for rest and beautiful views for years. However, it’s not just the architecture that makes it unique; the place has its own ghost. According to the hotel manager, a young lady stayed there a long time ago and wrote a letter to her beloved. She then gave the letter to the hotel staff to send, but it got lost and was never delivered to the post office. The woman waited and waited, becoming sadder every day. Eventually, she could no longer bear it and threw herself into a nearby river. After her tragic death, the hotel became haunted by a White Lady. The ghost makes the room lights blink, stops the elevator, and sometimes knocks over a Christmas tree. You can meet the White Lady in person in the old part of the building, on the fourth floor.
Traditional ingredients with a modern touch
As you travel around the region, you will discover diverse cuisines to suit your preferences and budgets. For instance there are lovely cafes like Majurska, where you can indulge in a wide selection of sweet and savory snacks, as well as coffee and tea. Moreover, at Satamatie 6 you could enjoy specialty coffee from Lehmus, one of the country’s best coffee roasteries. It’s worth noting that Lehmus won the title of Finland’s best roastery in 2017, 2018, and 2020. Kägöne and Taipalsaaren Wanha Kunnantupa are two cozy and traditional places that offer Karelian cuisine. There, you can enjoy heartwarming food and the hospitality of the hosts. On the other hand, restaurants such as Solitary, Sumu, and Siimes provide a fine-dining experience. They use carefully selected local ingredients and perfect culinary techniques to create a tasting menu that will make your evening unforgettable. Additionally, they offer an interesting selection of wines to pair with your meal.
The land of pies
Karelian cuisine is a must-try when visiting Saimaa. One of the most important dishes in this tradition is karjalanpiirakka, which is registered in the European Union as a Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG). You can buy Karelian pies almost everywhere, or learn to make them yourself in the Saimaa region. On the island of Niinisaari in Puumala, there is the Okkolan lomamökit, a family company that rents holiday cottages. Paula Okkola runs a restaurant and karjalanpiirakka workshops there, inviting guests to her old house to make pies together. They are baked in an old oven. Paula is a great kitchen specialist and storyteller. But Karelian cuisine is not limited to karjalanpiirakka. There are many different versions of pies, dumplings, and cakes with additions. They come in various forms, from small to large, and round, oblong, or crescent shapes. Their dough is most often based on rye and wheat flour. You can try great lanttusupikka at the Kägöne restaurant in Parikkala. Other popular dishes are karjalanpaisti and saltsina. Additionally, this cuisine is rich in baked goods, meat, and fish dishes. Ulla Liukkonen, a well-known and award-winning chef, is also worth mentioning when discussing Karelian cuisine. She is a wonderful and warm person who knows how to create an extraordinary atmosphere in the kitchen and at the table. While visiting Lappeenranta, it’s definitely worth checking out Etelä-Karjalan museo, which is housed in neo-classical buildings. Additionally, there’s an exhibition that showcases culinary culture.
A tasty snack
Street food is an interesting topic to explore. It has a loyal following of customers who are always on the lookout for new and unusual flavors. During spring and summer, food stands and open-air markets offer various snacks, including a crispy, freshly fried muikku. The town of Lappeenranta has its own specialty as well which is a large meat stuffed pie with hard-boiled egg, ham, and pickled cucumbers, topped with ketchup and mustard. This snack is called ’atomi’ when containing either eggs or ham and ’vety’ when both are present. It is a hearty, high-calorie food very popular for lunch. You can find them in food stalls in the city center. The recipe for these snacks dates back to the 1960s and is attributed to Taimi Laakko, a saleswoman who first added eggs to the pies. Currently, over a million of these snacks are sold annually.
New food destination
Being the European Region of Gastronomy is not solely about restaurants and cafes. The primary aim is to promote culinary tourism in the region, rooted in heritage and sustainability, while also supporting local producers and fostering a community of food enthusiasts. This is why food festivals, educational initiatives, exhibition, and local markets are also integral parts of the program. The European Region of Gastronomy title marks the beginning of a new culinary era for the region, both nationally and internationally.
Taste Saimaa
https://www.tastesaimaa.fi
Koskivahti – Sahanlahti Resort
Lietvedentie 830, Puumala
https://www.sahanlahtiresort.fi
Ravintola Niinipuu – Okkolan Lomamökit
Ylössaarentie 35, Puumala
www.okkolanlomamokit.com/ravintola
Ravintola Sumu
Snellmaninkatu 8, Lappeenranta
https://lahjakorttipalvelu.fi
Ravintola Solitary – Kuru Resort
Kuruntie 22, Rantasalmi
https://www.restaurantsolitary.com
Ravintola Siimes – PihlasResort
Kaitaistentie 345, Kaitainen
https://pihlasresort.com/fi/nauti/herkuttele
Tertti Manor
Kuopiontie 68, Mikkeli
www.tertinkartano.fi
Ravintola Wolkoff
Kauppakatu 26, Lappeenranta
Wolkoff Viini & Olutkellari – Ainonkatu 5, Lappeenranta
https://wolkoff.fi
Ravintola Linnasali – Scandic Imatran Valtionhotelli
Torkkelinkatu 2, Imatra
https://www.scandichotels.fi
Uhkua
Kuutostie 1272, Parikkala
https://www.kagone.fi
Taipalsaaren Wanha Kunnantupa
Kirkonrantatie 3, Taipalsaari
https://wanhakunnantupa.fi
Cafe Majurska
Kristiinankatu 1, Lappeenranta
http://www.kahvilamajurska.fi
Satamatie 6
Satamatie 6, Lappeenranta
https://lehmusroastery.com/pages/satamatie-6
Panimoyhtiö Tuju & Taproom
Soittokunnanraitti 3, Lappeenranta
https://www.panimotuju.fi
LakelandGTE
https://www.lakelandgte.fi
Saimaan Palju Events
https://www.saimaanpalju.fi
Etelä-Karjalan museo
Kristiinankatu 15, Lappeenranta
Text: Magdalena Tomaszewska-Bolałek
Image: Dreamstime
29.7.2024
/ Artikkelit