Gatukök - Street Kitchen explained

Gatukök is a Swedish concept of fast food and translates directly to English as 'Street Kitchen'.

» Updated:

» Published:

Gatukök - Street Kitchen explained
Photo: Sweden Herald

Share this article

Gatukök are usually located near busy roads and car parks and are often small with few seats. Gatukök has a blend of fast food that is hard to find anywhere else.

What is served?

Common dishes include sausages, burgers, chips, mashed potatoes, meatballs, and kebab.

A classic dish that is almost exclusively served in Street Kitchens is a "Tunnbrödsrulle" consisting of sausage and mashed potato wrapped in a thin bread. In a Tunnbrödsrulle, you'll also find classic gatuköks accompaniments such as räksallad (mayonnaise, prawns, onion), bostongurka (pickled cucumber, finely chopped sour pickle), and rostad lök (roasted onion).

Another classic that many Street Kitchens serve is "halv" or "hel" special, which is one or two sausages served with bread topped with mashed potatoes. As for drinks, Pucko is a milk-based drink with a chocolate flavour that is a characteristic gatukök drink that is rare in many other restaurants.

History of gatukök

Sausages have a natural place in a gatukök as it was first time served as fast food in a kiosk 1897 at the 'General Exhibition of Art and Industry' on Djurgården [1].

In the 1930s, Oskar Lithell started serving sausages from carts, which became the start of gatukök. Hamburgers came later, in the 1950s, and gained popularity in the 1970s when Sibylla started serving hamburgers in their branded gatukök chain [2].

Kebab came later into the gatukök menu, in the 1980s [3], but is not as closely associated to gatukök, because there are specific kebab restaurants with its characteristic kebab menus.

Gatukök today

Most Swedes do not eat at gatukök, but there is certainly a large group of gatukök enthusiasts who often visit their favourite gatukök. If you've never eaten at a gatukök, we at Sweden Herald recommend trying a "tunnbrödsrulle med räksallad och rostad lök". It's a classic Swedish dish that can hook you!

Author

Sweden Herald LifestyleS
By Sweden Herald LifestyleWrites about topics that can be of interest living in Sweden

More news

Electric Scooters in Sweden: What You Need to Know

Electric Scooters in Sweden: What You Need to Know

The Job Market in Sweden is Cooling Down - Significant Differences Between Industries

The Job Market in Sweden is Cooling Down - Significant Differences Between Industries

The Swedish Lunchbox Hack: Healthy, Protein-Rich, and Just $2

The Swedish Lunchbox Hack: Healthy, Protein-Rich, and Just $2

Poverty is increasing in Sweden - when is one considered materially and socially poor?

Poverty is increasing in Sweden - when is one considered materially and socially poor?

Sweden’s Privacy Paradox: Public Data That Criminals Can Exploit

Sweden’s Privacy Paradox: Public Data That Criminals Can Exploit

82-year-old Swedish TikTok star got 1 million followers in 6 months

82-year-old Swedish TikTok star got 1 million followers in 6 months

With a Strong SEK, More Swedes Fly Long-Haul - Tips to Stay Energized

With a Strong SEK, More Swedes Fly Long-Haul - Tips to Stay Energized

Sweden losing momentum globally in AI development

Sweden losing momentum globally in AI development

Record-breaking interest in Korean festival in Stockholm this weekend

Record-breaking interest in Korean festival in Stockholm this weekend

From Sweden to Silicon Valley: The Journey of Klarna's Founder

From Sweden to Silicon Valley: The Journey of Klarna's Founder

Stockholm Travel Guide 2025: Experience the Best of the City

Stockholm Travel Guide 2025: Experience the Best of the City

10 Stunning Places to Visit in Sweden This Late Summer August 2025

10 Stunning Places to Visit in Sweden This Late Summer August 2025

High Restaurant Hygiene and Food Safety in Sweden - Good for Tourists

High Restaurant Hygiene and Food Safety in Sweden - Good for Tourists

The Swedish Currency Revenge: What it means for your wallet and summer plans.

The Swedish Currency Revenge: What it means for your wallet and summer plans.

 Must-See in Stockholm, Sweden: Visit ABBA The Museum

Must-See in Stockholm, Sweden: Visit ABBA The Museum

Arlanda Stockholm Ranks 77th in 2025 Skytrax Survey: Proposals to Boost Its Competitiveness

Arlanda Stockholm Ranks 77th in 2025 Skytrax Survey: Proposals to Boost Its Competitiveness

Series on Swedish Sports - Orienteering a Scandinavian Invention

Series on Swedish Sports - Orienteering a Scandinavian Invention

Swedish national anthem lyrics - with translation

Swedish national anthem lyrics - with translation

Stockholm Rewrites the Global Tech Playbook with an AI Startup Surge

Stockholm Rewrites the Global Tech Playbook with an AI Startup Surge

All You Need to Know About CSN 2025 : Amount, Income Limit, and Higher Grant

All You Need to Know About CSN 2025 : Amount, Income Limit, and Higher Grant