Swedish on a budget

September 29, 2011

Swedish-Meatballs-at-Hakons-Scandanavian

Swedish meatballs at Hakon's Scandinavian Diner

Americans of a certain age will remember the commercial for Alka Seltzer, which featured the ‘spicy meatball man.’ From my experience, Swedish meatballs are not particularly spicy and with a little lingonberry and brown gravy are quite delicious. The sour lingonberry is the traditional Swedish accompaniment to meatballs; and is a bit similar in taste to raspberries or cranberries. According to my Swedish friend, there is no standard Swedish meatball recipe. The best Swedish meatballs are the ones your mother used to make. My mother’s version (Bear in mind I’m not Swedish.) was mixed with sweet chili sauce and ketchup. Although they weren’t authentic, they weren’t bad either.

Hakon Scandinavian Diner, located on Thappraya Road, near Soi 5, offers a genuine Swedish menu and a large selection of salads, sandwiches and Thai food. I tried the meatballs with mashed potatoes at 180 baht and enjoyed them very much. They were also accompanied by mushy peas, which should please British customers. There were seven large meatballs garnished with thick, brown gravy and tart lingonberry compote. The dish was indeed tasty and satisfying. My friend had the slightly salted pork with onion sauce and boiled potatoes (180 baht); and said that it was ‘really, really good and authentic.’

They have an extensive breakfast menu. Recently, I tried the 145 baht breakfast, which included two eggs, ham, bacon, cheese, orange juice, toast and coffee. I especially liked the bacon, which was done up nice and crispy, as I requested. Hakon Scandinavian Diner also offers retail items, provided by Scan Deli in Bangkok; including cheeses, herring and other fish items and candy. If they don’t have what you want on hand, Goran, the owner, will order it for you from Bangkok. It’ll be waiting for you the next day. They’re open daily and have outdoor and indoor seating. (Web: www.hakondiner.com)

Vickan’s Swedish Restaurant is located on Jomtien Beach Road between Sois 2 and 3. They also have a menu featuring an extensive selection of Swedish as well as Thai food. The Swedish meatballs, at 155 baht, were smaller than the ones at Hakon’s and accompanied by brown gravy, on the side, lingonberry and two boiled potatoes. The all beef meatballs were tasty and filling. Also on the menu are items such as pork chop with tarragon sauce at 185 baht, grilled salmon with dill sauce (175 baht), steaks and prime rib at 295 baht. Vickan’s offers several breakfasts at 110 baht. They’re open daily from 8 am until late at night. Check their web site: www.vickansguesthouse.com.

I haven’t been to News Café, in the Chateau Dale Plaza on Thappraya Road, in a while; but as I recall, they also offer delicious Swedish meatballs. Their food is elegantly prepared in beautiful indoor and outdoor surroundings. The restaurant is Swedish managed and features mammoth kebabs, steaks (Try the elephant ear steaks.), pork and fish. The presentation of the dishes is novel and graceful. News Café is definitely excellent value for the money; but, not necessarily within the parameters of the Frugal Gourmand (unless you choose carefully; but that’s no fun). God Aptit.