The gastronomic adventures continue in the coastal country of Iceland. When I first planned this trip (yes, I'm usually the lead perpetrator of international trips), I didn't expect the Icelandic cuisine to rival those in other Scandinavian or European countries, in general, probably because it is very foreign to many people, your truly included. Nonetheless, the country's myriad fresh seafood and other delicacies exceeded my expectations. Thus, its cuisine now ranks as one of my all-time favorites. Here are my top picks of Icelandic fare in no particular order:

1. Pizza with cream cheese instead of tomato sauce- The cream cheese base makes the the pizza creamier and flavorful, but I had a difficult time digesting (due to my lactose intolerant tummy... oopss). Tip: Eat the pizza while it is piping hot. If you take out, the cold weather makes the crust soggy.

Chicken with cream cheese from Gamla

 2. Minke whale- In this part of the world, whale is considered a delicacy and is abundant. I tried the grilled version of the meat, which tasted like seared tuna with a tougher texture. The horseradish and ginger sauce helped cut through the 'fishiness' of the whale.

Robata grilled minke whale with horseradish, served with soya ginger sauce from The Grillmarket (Grillmarkadurinn).

 3. Puffin bird- If you have seen a puffin in real life or through pictures, you wouldn't want to eat this bird. It is so cute! But then again, since puffin meat is common in Iceland, I tried a sliver. It is similar to duck in texture and taste but with a very strong aftertaste that made my eating buddies and I look for a 'chaser'- Icelandic salt is a good option to cleanse the palette.  

Smoked puffin with creamed leek, apples and wild mushroom from The Grillmarket (Grillmarkadurinn).

3. Lobster/langoustine- Lobster lovers rejoice! I tried different dishes with langoustine - grilled, mixed seafood and soup- at a few restaurants in Reykjavik and none failed me. Enough said. Other resto options for langoustine dishes are The Lobster House (Humarhusid) and Seafood Cellar (Sjavarkjallarinn).

Grilled langoustine from Westman Island with grilled pineapple and pina colada from The Grillmarket (Grillmarkadurinn).

 4. Icelandic doughnut- A good pick-me-up deep fried snack paired with hot cocoa or coffee. I still prefer an authentic Spanish doughnut, but this elongated pastry definitely gives you extra energy to fight off the cold. 

Icelandic doughnut from Kaffi Brennslan

 5. Fish- Seafood lovers rejoice! I'm stating that yet again. Iceland offers a bevy of different type of fishes, such as cod, salmon, monkfish and blueling. Try whatever you fancy and get those omega-3's while at it. 

Seafood sampler of cod, salmon and monkfish from The Fish Market (Fishmarkadurinn).

 6. Bread- I am not a big fan of bread, but the free bread served before a meal at many restaurants in Reykjavik made me realized that there is really something about Icelandic baked bread. It is always extra soft, tasty and delicious. Is it the water? Perplexed. Try it with creamed butter and Icelandic aromatic salt.

Bread from the Lava Restaurant.

7. BBP hotdog- Many travel sites recommend BBP or Bajarins Beztu Pylsur's hotdog located near the harbor. A long line awaits you as many hungry local and foreign patrons know that this is the IT thing to eat regardless of the time of day. 
 8. Local beer- I am a picky beer drinker, but the ones I've enjoyed the most are local beers that are not for export. Vatnajokull beer is light and refreshing and a perfect companion after a strenuous glacier hike.  FYI, Vatnajokull is the largest Icelandic glacier.
9. Herring- This raw fish has an acquired taste. Think of it as sashimi. I first got introduced to brined herring while living in the Netherlands, however the Icelanders prepare it as pickled herring, giving it a sweet and salty kick.

Herring on rye toast from Cafe Loki.

10. Rye bread ice cream- What's not to like especially when it has a unique twist? I personally err towards desserts that aren't too sweet and don't give me a sore throat. The rye bread ice cream easily passed the mark.

Rye bread ice cream from Cafe Loki.

11. and 12. Icelandic salt and water- Sometimes, we just ignore the simple things, such as salt and water. Salt is one of the common condiments that come with the complimentary bread in restaurants. The best one I tasted was salt with arctic thyme and edible lavender flowers, evoking a salty yet sensual flavor. Salt can also be sexy!

It is hard to describe why the water in this country is special. But the first time I drank it, it tasted smooth, unfiltered and pure, similar to the water of Austria. Both countries' drinking water comes from spring water, and you can even drink water out of the restroom faucet. The best things in life are free afterall! 

Be forewarned that alcohol and food are expensive in Iceland so plan accordingly. 'Til the next gastronomic adventures (looks like it will be another cold place)...