The Story of Finnjävel

Finnjävel was conceived when chefs Henri Alén and Tommi Tuominen, both heavyweights of the Finnish culinary scene, realised that they know embarrassingly little of the history of Finnish food. Originally Finnjävel was a two-year project restaurant in 2016–2018. During this incredibly short time it became a national and international legend that is now luckily reborn.

Finnjävel, literally Finnish devil, is a pejorative name Swedes gave to Finnish immigrants in Sweden during the 1950’s and 1960’s. At that time Finns mass-migrated to Sweden in search of a better future. As it so often is, adjusting to the new life made people restless and took its toll. But the Finns made it, and made it well. We take “finnjävel” as compliment. For us Finnjävel means ”sisu”, a Finnish combination of stamina, perseverance and ambition, seasoned with a pinch of megalomania.

We use Finnish ingredients and Finnish cooking methods from the years gone by: curing, smoking and fermenting to name a few. We have delved into the past in order to create the future of Finnish cuisine.

Finland’s location between Russia and Sweden has created a rich culinary culture differing from the other Nordic countries. There is a definite eastern bite in the Finnish food just as there is in Finnish architecture and art.

We want to celebrate this exotic, strange richness with you.