Helsinki Baltic Herring Market’s best herring products of the year and herring dish of the year selected

As part of the opening day traditions of the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, a herring jury composed of experts in food, Baltic Sea, and urban culture has awarded the market’s best herring products. The jury awarded three excellent seasoned fish products and three herring surprises. In addition, the Finnish Gastronomic Society selected the herring sashimi roll dish from Sake Bar & Izakaya located in Kruununhaka as the herring dish of the year as part of the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market in restaurants. The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market and Herring Market in Helsinki Restaurants continue until Saturday, October 10.

The herring jury, operating with a rotating panel, has once again awarded the three best herring products in two different categories. Three products competed for the best traditional seasoned fish award in the “Seasoned Fish of the Year” category, while 11 products competed for the title of “Herring Surprise of the Year” in the category of more modern cold herring delicacies. The jury scored the products based on taste, appearance, aroma, and texture.

In the Herring Surprise category, the dill herring by Pirjo and Reima Salonen from Taivassalo was declared the winner, with jury members describing the tasting as a delightful experience. In the reviews, the product’s freshness was praised, and the overall dish was deemed to border on perfection. Second place in the category went to Tommi Lillberg’s “shoemaker’s salmon” (suutarinlohi) from Pyhtää, while third place was taken by “Kipparin punaposki” from Kasala cafe-restaurant in Merikarvia.

The main prize in the Traditional Seasoned Fish of the Year category was awarded to Hasse Bergman from Åland. The jury fell in love with the product’s distinctive and balanced flavor. In particular, the jury praised the wonderful balance of spices, which allowed room for the herring taste. Second place went to Hannu Hellsten from Pyhtää, and third place to Tommi Lillberg. The awarded products are on sale at the fishermen’s stalls at the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market for as long as supplies last.

This year, the herring jury selecting the best herring products at the market included culture journalist Jenny Jägerhorn, musician Mikko Kosonen, graphic designer Kasper Strömman, radio host Harri Moisio, actor Riko Eklundh, fishmonger Petri Nätti, Johanna Suni from communications at the John Nurminen Foundation, senior researcher Seppo Knuuttila from the Finnish Environment Institute, and Alf Norkko, Professor of Baltic Sea Research at the University of Helsinki.

The Finnish Gastronomic Society awarded the herring dish of the year as part of the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market in restaurants, organized for the first time. The theme weeks are part of developing the Baltic Herring Market into an even more experiential event that spreads more widely across the city starting from late September. ”We tasted unique herring dishes in a total of 12 restaurants. It was gratifying to see how carefully and dedicatedly the restaurants had planned and executed their dishes. Some of the dishes leaned on tradition, while others offered new perspectives on a familiar ingredient,” says Timo Leino, Chairman of the Finnish Gastronomic Society.

”The choice of the winning dish was influenced by the balance of flavors and the overall execution, ranging from the freshness and handling of raw ingredients to the mouthfeel and presentation. The winner ultimately selected was the herring sashimi roll from the Japanese-influenced Sake Bar & Izakaya in Kruununhaka. In this dish, a familiar ingredient is handled in a distinctive and bold way that challenges tradition. The dish consists of four silky bites where herring is clearly at the center. The balance of flavors is calm, and the uniqueness of the dish is built on subtle Japanese nuances. The mouthfeel is pleasant, the portion size is well considered, and the presentation supports the idea of the dish,” Leino explains regarding the selection of the winning dish.

The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market is open at the Market Square from Sunday to Saturday, October 4–10, 2026. Sales hours Sun–Sat 9:00–19:00 and restaurants open Sun–Sat 11:00–19:00. The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market in restaurants continues until Saturday, October 10.