Finding the right food is just as important during your visit to Helsinki as finding the perfect place to stay. Fortunately, Helsinki has a wide variety of restaurants with delicious food on the menu, offering the best in both Western and local cuisine. Here are three meals worth seeking out:

Poronkäristys

Although pork is the most popular and most commonly consumed meat in Finland, there is another type of game widely enjoyed: reindeer. Believe it or not, reindeer are a source of not only meat, but also milk and fat as well. One of Finland’s most popular dishes is poronkäristys, or sautéed reindeer. Poronkäristys contains thinly sliced reindeer meat often served on a bed of mashed potatoes, with lingonberry and cucumber on the side. Lingonberry is a staple of the Finnish diet, so you can expect to find it accompanying many a dish in the region.

Vispipuuro

Another well-known dish with a stronger lingonberry presence is vispipuuro, a sweet, whipped porridge made from wheat semolina. Vispipuuro is served cold, and its mousse-like texture makes for an excellent dessert.

Leipäjuusto

Known in the United States as “squeaky cheese,” leipäjuusto is a bread cheese made from the fresh milk of cows, goats and reindeer. Leipäjuusto originated in the Southern Ostrobothnia region of Finland, and must be fried, baked, or grilled. In fact, there are two ways to recognize that you are eating leipäjuusto: its charred appearance and the squeaky sound it makes against your teeth when you take a bite. Because it needs to be cooked in order to be properly prepared, leipäjuusto is served hot, traditionally with a side of coffee or sometimes with—you guessed it—lingonberries!

While seeking apartments or luxury rentals for your stay in Helsinki, find some time to try these unforgettable Finnish dishes to make the most of your stay.