Week 1

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Reffen Copenhagen Street Food
Outdoor Food Market
Copenhagen, Denmark
8/19/24

               As my first stop on this incredible journey, I decided to visit the commonly talked about “Reffen.” Before coming to Copenhagen, every influencer, previous DIS student I was in communication with, and almost anyone who has ever been to and loved Copenhagen, has been to this Copenhagen street food market. “Reffen” is the largest street food market in the Nordics, offers food from all around the world, and is a vibrant waterfront destination. It was once a neglected harborside lot, yet it has transformed into a bustling hub where food lovers, artisans, and music enthusiasts come together to enjoy a unique cultural experience. I felt extremely peaceful here. The atmosphere was both calm and engaging, with families, friends, and students sitting by the water, savoring and sharing dishes from around the world. I felt at peace, yet still so engaged in the different types of people around me.

               I went with a few friends who are also foodies like me, and we decided to get three dishes to share. We started off with chipotle chicken tacos which were decent. I am not sure how popular and authentic Mexican food is here, and I am spoiled with California Mexican Food, so I wouldn’t get this again. The chef was extremely nice though and gave me a student discount! Then we tried a Korean chicken rice bowl which was very good. It had a spicy sauce that definitely caught me off guard, but the mix of the sauce with the chicken and vegetables was a perfect combination. Lastly we had my favorite dish, which was a truffle, cheese, and potato pizza. The combination of the truffle mixed with the cheese couldn’t have been a better duo. It melted in my mouth and bursted with flavor. Other than the endless food options, the setting of “Reffen” was quite perfect. The sun was setting, people were talking and drinking, music was playing, and everything felt content. I will definitely be back and can’t wait to try new foods the next time I visit.

Overall rating: 8.8/10

Atelier September
Restaurant
Copenhagen, Denmark
8/20/24

               For brunch one morning I went on a quick walk around the block to commonly talked about “Atelier September.” One of my friends who lives in my building recommended this restaurant to a group of us, and it didn’t disappoint. The line was out the door when we arrived, we had to wait about 30 minutes to sit down. The restaurant itself had a great atmosphere as well. It was very minimalistic but had a fancy feel to it. I noticed that my friends and I were speaking at an average level, but we were by far the loudest ones in the room. I have realized that Danish people are very reserved and only speak when they really have something important to say!

               I ended up ordering the french omelet which I always see on social media, but have never tried for myself until now. It’s prepared in a way that makes the omelet smooth as silk on the outside, moist and creamy on the inside, with a tender egg wrapping a filling of softly scrambled eggs. It was SO fluffy and flavorful. It didn’t seem to have that many spices, but it was perfectly salted and paired so well with the bread and whipped butter that came on the side. It also had a bit of a pepper kick that I would normally assume to be too overpowering, but it paired so nicely with the salt and soft egg consistency. The slice of sourdough made the meal more complete. It was paired with the most delicious whipped butter I have ever had in my life. It was so light and melted perfectly onto the bread. The eggs wonderfully softened in my mouth and overall it was a delicious meal. I have a few other friends who have gone recently as well and they have absolutely loved the food.

Overall Rating: 7.9/ 10

Wulf and Konstali
Restaurant
Copenhagen, Denmark
8/23/24

               After getting a little lost on the metro, I was able to make my way to probably my favorite restaurant I’ve tried so far, “Wulf and Konstali”. “Wulf and Konstali” is a brunch place where you can choose your personal mix of 5 or 7 delicate dishes. There are more than 20 different variants, consisting of classic brunch dishes, kitchen’s favorites, meat and fish, fruits and greens, sweet treats, and their very own baked goods. I ended up selecting 5 dishes which included a chocolate croissant, scrambled eggs with chives, organic yogurt with raspberry compote and almond-quinoa granola, a smoothie bowl with numerous toppings, and a poppy-seed waffle with raspberry whipped cream. All of this was $20 which was one of the cheaper places I have been to in Copenhagen so far, and so much was included. We filled out these little slips, selecting which options we wanted, and I was in heaven. The raspberry compote on the yogurt was by far one of the sweetest yet freshest things I have ever tasted, and although I am not a poppy-seed fan, the waffle was absolutely delicious. It was on the thinner side which made the outside a little crispier and I loved it. The eggs were also very fluffy, something I’ve noticed they do here in Copenhagen, and I was definitely full after this meal which made me like it even more. I am excited to come back and try 5 new things!

Overall rating: 9.3/10

Patagonia Grill, at Seaside
Restaurant
Copenhagen, Denmark
8/25/24

               Today’s meal was very exciting because I met my visiting host family! Through my program here in Copenhagen, we are given the option to meet with a Danish family throughout the semester and I was assigned a lovely family of four. I met with Mia, the mom, and Karoline, the daughter, and we had such a lovely meal. They decided to take me around the city and we stopped at this beautiful outdoor food venue called Seaside. Seaside offers homemade delicacies from all corners of the world, and the food is prepared in seven independent kitchens under one roof. I decided to get a steak salad from “Patagonia Grill” and we were able to sit in Seaside’s maritime surroundings overlooking the harbor. My salad was very interesting. I wasn’t used to this, but the steak was cold and sprinkled with salt. I will say the salt made it SO much better. It was a flaky salt that had a little crunch to it, and it brought out the flavors of the steak. I didn’t love the chewy consistency of the cold steak, but I did really enjoy the lettuce, tomatoes, and dressing. It kind of tasted like a caesar dressing, but a little sweeter. The salad also had snap peas in it which was such a surprising yet pleasant crunch. I don’t think I’ve ever had a salad with full snap peas, and I really enjoyed it. The setting of the place made the meal so much more enjoyable. It was right along the water and everyone was just enjoying their meals and company. I enjoyed, but next time I come to this place I will try something different.

Overall Rating: 6.8/10

Wrap up

               I have been here for about a week now and I have felt extremely lucky. I feel so comfortable, my roommates are amazing, everywhere is so clean, the public transportation has been extremely easy to adjust to, my classes seem awesome, and I am just feeling so thankful. I feel very independent here as well. I am able to walk around any time of the day and not worry too much about what is going on around me. I can go to a grocery store, coffee shop, almost all cuisines of restaurants, and more within a 5 minute walk, and I feel like such a woman! I am so excited for the rest of this journey and cannot wait to experience more delicious food experiences and enjoy my time here.

Week 2

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Community Dinner
Home-cooked Meal
Copenhagen, Denmark
9/9/24

               To kick off the week, my apartment and I participated in a community dinner—one of the
3-4 events our program organizes each term. Through this initiative, our institution provides us
with ingredients, and we come together to cook, eat, and bond as an apartment. I’m always
excited for these “free meals,” especially since Copenhagen is notoriously expensive, and I’m
navigating life on a college budget! Today’s meal was falafel wraps, and our ingredients included
fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, onions, tortilla wraps, lettuce, bell peppers, tzatziki, hummus,
creamy feta, and of course, falafel. It was a simple cooking experience; all we really had to do
was chop the veggies and bake the falafel, but the result was surprisingly delicious.
One of the first things I’ve noticed since moving here is how much fresher everything
tastes. The vegetables are brightly colored and have a “natural” flavor that I rarely find back
home. I’ve learned that in Copenhagen, produce isn’t treated with a lot of pesticides or
preservatives, so while things spoil faster, they taste infinitely better. Even everyday items like
bread are made without the additives commonly used in the States, which means it’s fresher but
has a shorter shelf life. The fruits and vegetables are smaller, too, likely because they aren’t
pumped full of steroids or chemicals. Knowing that what I’m eating is more natural and probably
healthier is reassuring, but it also makes me question the practices back home in the U.S..
After prepping the vegetables, we assembled our wraps and sat down together, sharing
stories and getting to know each other better. Despite the simplicity of the ingredients, the flavors
were vibrant and distinct. The red bell peppers had an unexpectedly bold taste, and the feta was
creamier than what I’m used to. Each bite combined the crunch of fresh veggies, the warmth of
crispy falafel, and the softness of the wrap—it was a flavor combination that made my taste buds
happy. I devoured my wrap in about five minutes and felt completely satisfied with the meal.
Plus, we had some leftovers, so I’m looking forward to enjoying them for dinner tomorrow!

Overall Rating: 8.3/10

Delphine
Restaurant
Copenhagen, Denmark
9/12/24

               For my roommate’s birthday dinner, we went to Delphine, an elegant Greek restaurant in
Copenhagen. Before going, I was told that Delphine is the kind of place you’d typically visit
with your parents, and after experiencing it myself, I completely agree. The restaurant exuded a
mature, upscale vibe, and while it was on the pricier side, the experience made it worth it.
We kicked off the meal with some drinks, since I am legal in Denmark! I tried the
“Watermelon Dolphin,” a cocktail made with tequila, watermelon, lemon, salt, and soda, and it
was quite delicious. It didn’t taste like alcohol at all, just a refreshing, sparkling watermelon juice
with a slight tang from the fresh lemon. The drink was fresh, and just the right balance of sweet
and sour—definitely a highlight of the meal. For the main course, I ordered the grilled lamb,
which was served with a zucchini and red pepper salsa. Though I don’t usually love lamb, but I
felt adventurous and gave it a try. The lamb was perfectly cooked, tender, and bursting with
flavor and if I was a big fan of lamb, I’m sure it would have been perfect. However, the real star
of the dish for me was the salsa. The grilled zucchini and peppers provided a fresh contrast to the
richness of the lamb, making each bite feel balanced and less heavy.
The ambiance of Delphine was chic and stylish, and with an attention to detail that made
the experience feel even more special. Even the bathrooms were awesome, with their artsy
design and fun mood lighting adding an unexpected touch of creativity. One tradition in
Denmark is to place a small Danish flag on the table for someone’s birthday, so the restaurant did
just that for my roommate, which added to the celebratory feel of the dinner. I wouldn’t choose
the lamb next time, which was completely my fault, but Delphine was definitely a great spot with
elevated food, excellent drinks, and a memorable atmosphere.

Overall rating: 7.6/10

Balderdash Bar
Copenhagen, Denmark
9/13/24

               Tonight, I went to Balderdash, a cocktail bar located in the oldest neighborhood of
Copenhagen. The bar is known for its cozy atmosphere and creative cocktails, and it definitely
didn’t disappoint. It’s not the typical bar experience—Balderdash has a classy vibe, and instead
of ordering at the bar, you order from your table. They serve only from their preset menu, which
changes weekly, adding a fun element of surprise to each visit.
We were seated in a fancy booth, and I quickly noticed that most people there were at
least 40 years old, making me feel like a mature young adult. I asked our waiter for a
recommendation, and he suggested the “Midnight Oil Milkshake.” This drink was pretty much a
literal milkshake, but with a twist. It was made with Adriatico roasted almond, banana, black
truffle, birch, coconut, and lactose-free cream. It was creamy, icy, and absolutely
delicious—definitely one of the top three things I’ve had in Copenhagen so far. The truffle flavor
was unique and paired surprisingly well with the banana and cream, making it taste like a vanilla
and banana milkshake with hints of almond and a strong truffle flavor that balanced out the
sweetness. It was also so refreshing yet tasted like a dessert. The glass it came in was also really
pretty, matching the refined and elegant vibe of the bar.
Balderdash was a delightful surprise with its creative drinks and cozy, classy atmosphere.
I’m already looking forward to going back and seeing what’s on the menu next!

Overall Rating: 9.3/10

Bageriet Brod
Bakery
Copenhagen, Denmark
9/15/24
On the first day of class, my professor brought us breakfast—a loaf of sourdough bread,
and since then, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I found out that it came from a local
sourdough bakery that’s not only dedicated to crafting sourdough but also uses all organic
ingredients, which is pretty amazing! I decided to visit the bakery myself and buy a loaf for the
week. The journey there wasn’t easy, I got very lost on the metro, but it was absolutely worth it.
This bread is just perfect. The crust is incredibly crunchy and crisp, while the inside is fluffy,
soft, moist, and light all at once. Each bite is a perfect balance of crispy outer crust and delicate
inner dough, melting perfectly on the tongue.
Walking into the bakery, I was immediately hit by the incredible scent of freshly baked
sourdough. It wasn’t the typical sweet bakery smell but something rich and fresh. The woman at
the counter was very helpful, explaining the different types of loaves, each with its own distinct
shape and sourdough twist. I went with the same loaf my professor brought us, which was a
more squared shape, and I couldn’t have been happier with my choice.
I’ve had the bread for almost a week now, and it’s still as fresh as the day I bought it,
probably thanks to the lack of preservatives, which is common in Copenhagen. I have made so
many sandwiches and breakfast dishes with this loaf, and I will be buying another one soon.
Overall rating: 9.6/10
Another fantastic week has passed while studying abroad in Copenhagen. I definitely
tried some of my favorite things this week, since I have been here. I also wanted to share some
fun things I have noticed about Copenhagen vs. the United States. A lot of restaurants and food
venues in Copenhagen charge an automatic extra 25% tax that goes to the city. Therefore,
although the residents here get more through it, everything is much more expensive so visitors
like me. Also, something that a lot of people don’t love but I find so convenient is that caps on
bottles don’t come off all the way! They stay attached so that you don’t lose them, (I’m
assuming). I am a big fan of this invention and wonder why America doesn’t do this as well!
Lastly, the tap water in Denmark is TOP TIER. No matter if you’re in a restaurant, kitchen, gym,
bathroom (!), or really any public place, the sink water is completely safe to drink and they pride
themselves on this!
Overall I am eager for next week’s eats!

Week 3

Coming soon!

Week 4

Coming soon!

Week 5

Coming soon!

Week 6

Coming soon!

Week 7

Coming soon!

Week 8

Coming soon!

Week 9

Coming soon!

Week 10

Coming soon!