Christmas lunch in Sweden (Julbord)

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Hi, I am Yulie.

Today, I will write about Julbord in Sweden. Julbord, literally meaning Christmas table, is Sweden’s version of the holiday feast.


Typically,

Herring dishes – pickled in mustard, onion, or dill.

Salmon and cold fish – gravlax, smoked salmon, and roe.

Cold meats – Christmas ham (julskinka), pâtés, and sausages.

Warm classics – meatballs (köttbullar), small sausages (prinskorv), and Janssons frestelse (a creamy potato-and-anchovy casserole).

Game and roasts – ribs, roasted meats, or lutfisk (dried cod).

Cheese and accompaniments – crispbread, butter, and salads.

Desserts – rice pudding, gingerbread cookies, saffron buns, and glögg (mulled wine)



This year, I joined a Christmas lunch at the coworking place in Malmö, where I have access. I am working but not working... Well, I got a freelancer contract in April from a consulting firm in Seoul, South Korea, and started working for them with the business set up in Sweden.

They are renting a coworking place in Malmö, and I have access. It is a nice environment, modern, close to Malmö C, and they have some events like Christmas lunch :)

After some years in Sweden, I felt maybe Swedes like buffet. Some restaurants offering lunch menus also have a buffet. You choose the main dish between meat, fish, or vegetarian, then the salad buffet and coffee are included. Even asian buffets are popular!

Anyway, I have tried Julbord several times, and I like it. Sometimes it was homemade, at the hotel, or in the office, like this year. The food is the same! I love Christmas ham and salmon. Herrings are more challenging. I have tried different kinds of herrings, and pickled in mustard is the easiest one for me.

When I prepared it for my parents in 2023, it was not totally Swedish. I could not prepare Julbord alone. I made it like Tapas. Without asking them, I omitted herrings...!







Well, that was my homemade Julbord... It was right after the flight, so they were starving, and they loved it :)

I don't eat Swedish food every day or regularly, but Christmas lunch is pretty nice!!
What’s on your holiday table this year? Share your favorite traditions in the comments—I’d love to hear them.

Swedish cat meme









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