Culture Shocks I Had With Food in Sweden

One of the things that never fails to bring me joy is food! Maybe it’s the fact that I’m Peruvian — and, let’s be honest, food is one of our greatest sources of pride — but it’s definitely one of my favourite topics to talk about.

Before moving to Sweden, I was terrified about how my eating habits would change. Would I find food I liked? Would I miss everything from home? Spoiler alert: yes, there were plenty of cultural shocks — some surprising, some confusing, and some actually for the better. So, if you’re a fellow food lover or just curious about the quirks of Swedish food culture, this one’s for you!

🍽 Meal Times: A Daily Plot Twist

Back home in Peru, my daily meal schedule was pretty fixed: Breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at 1 p.m., dinner at 8 p.m.

But then I arrived in Sweden and started classes. That’s when I realized my schedule would have to seriously adapt. Breakfast wasn’t a big deal — I could manage that. But lunch at 12 p.m.? Dinner at 5 p.m.? My stomach said absolutely not.

I noticed it early on. Class breaks are usually around noon, and suddenly the campus is full of people with lunch boxes and salads. The cafeterias are packed. Meanwhile, my stomach is like, “It’s not time yet??”

And then there’s dinner. Swedes tend to have it between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. — for me, that was the biggest shock. When I tell my Nordic friends I eat at 8 p.m. or even 10 p.m., their faces say it all: pure disbelief.

So, if you’re moving here, prepare your belly. Time will feel… strange.

🥘 What’s the Main Meal?

This one really blew my mind. In Peru, lunch is the star of the day — hearty, warm, filling. But in Sweden (and most Nordic countries), dinner is the main event.

Even now, after many months, I still struggle with this. If I know I’m going to a dinner gathering, I’ll try to have a smaller lunch just so I can enjoy the meal — but it’s tough!

Luckily, one of my close Nordic friends and I have found a compromise: we sometimes have our “main meal” around 3 p.m., a sweet spot between our cultural norms. Other times, we just take turns adjusting. It’s a small but meaningful way to meet halfway — literally!

🥦 Healthy, Vegan, Lactose-Free Paradise

Now, let’s talk about one of the best surprises: Sweden is a dream if you have specific dietary needs.
Vegan? Gluten-free? Lactose-intolerant like me? You’re in luck.

Every café, restaurant, and grocery store has options — and I mean real options, not just salad. Even the tiniest cafés in the middle of nowhere will probably offer oat milk for your coffee. As someone who used to struggle finding lactose-free milk back home, this felt like paradise.

Back in Peru, I had a vegan friend and finding a place to eat together was always a mission. Sometimes we’d walk around for over an hour just looking for one menu item she could eat. Here? We can go anywhere — no stress.

So, if you have dietary restrictions or just enjoy a healthy lifestyle, Sweden’s got your back.

While food culture in Sweden was definitely a big adjustment, it also taught me to be more flexible — and sometimes even surprised me in the best ways. I still miss the flavors of home but I’ve also discovered new favorites and learned to appreciate different ways of eating.

So yes, the food culture shock is real — but it can also be a beautiful part of the adventure.