When is whale in season in Norway?

Question

I am planning a trip next summer to Scandinavia next summer, and I am reading about how important whale is in Norwegian cuisine. With ambivalence, nonetheless, I am still curious to try it.

Most places I have seen that serve it says "when in season." So my question is, when is whale in season for consumption there?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I have lived in Norway all my life, and have never seen "whale" on a restaurant menu. Neither have I seen whale being sold in the stores or at the fish market. The whale is not at all important in the Norwegian cuisine, and I believe you would have problems finding it. By the way, you are not missing anything, it tastes exactly like normal steak.

Answer 2

Whales are among the in dangered species, please don't support their killings

Answer 3

It's most common to find whale meat being served in the summer.  I don't know if this is due to the whaling season or the marketing season, though (since summer is tourism season).  During the summer food festivals downtown, I've seen representatives from the whaling industry offering free samples of whale meat, and I've seen menus that list their whale steak as a summer special.  (For example, Sult Restaurant - http://www.sult.no/menuinenglish.cfm?Fus... )

As for its "importance" in Norwegian cuisine, I guess that's kind of subjective.  It has a lot of political importance, I guess, but it's definitely not a *common* feature of Norwegian cuisine.  It does seem to be an important element in Japanese cuisine, and even around Oslo, you're more likely to find it it at a Japanese restaurant than a traditional Norwegian one.  As mentioned earlier, it does taste fairly unexceptional and similar to steak, though this the flavor is strongly influenced by its seasoning.

Outside the summer, your best bet for trying whale in Oslo is probably one of the sushi restaurants, which I believe carry it all year.  The following all have whale (hval) on the menu:

Alex Sushi - http://www.alexsushi.no/

Nippon Art - http://www.nipponart.no/

Mikaku - http://www.mikaku.no/

Answer 4

I would guess in the period between September and January. As long as it's not during the birthing season.