Newly Opened SVEA brings Nordic Charm to Shanghai

Nordic countries are quite on trend in Shanghai and a new gem has just opened to complete the crown.  What to expect?  Swedish chefs on board, impressive open kitchen and classic northern cuisine. They set up in Hongkou district, and it’s well worth the trip.

First, let’s talk about the name. SVEA might be a bit difficult to remember. Swedish words are famous for being somewhat unpronounceable to non-native speakers (you can probably recall some impossible IKEA furniture names). SVEA is a traditional way to say ‘Swedish land’. This feminine name derives from the "Svear" tribe, the first of Swedish of history. Hence, Mother Svea is the national emblem, got it now? 

SVEA promises to excite and indulge all of your senses, providing you with a truly unique dining experience, the Nordic sensation. So how do they go about it? 

The Concept

SVEA offers a simple yet sophisticated setting. Located at 188 Ruihong lu in a upscale neighborhood,  SVEA is enclosed in a modern, open-air shopping area which has a bunch of notable international brands (Zara, H&M, Uniqlo…)  

SVEA’s simplistic and modern interior was designed by Alessandro Copetti, an accomplished architect who has worked with Armani, as well as the world-renowned Nikki Beach Venice Film Festival. A graduate of Copenhagen’s School of Architecture, Copetti has drawn on his Northern European influences for the creation of SVEA’s look and feel. Encompassing the chic white and gold colors, and carved wood and marble textures. It conjures a genuine ambiance of Scandinavian style. The heart of the restaurant, its kitchen, is inspired by Nordic’s open island and is completely open and visible to all. Which offers a look at their two chefs working hypnotically in symbiosis.  

The Chefs

Who are these new chefs?  Oskar Järleby and Tobias Olsson, both Scandinavian with strong experience and knowledge promise to ignite your sensation of smell, sight and taste by delivering Nordic inspired cuisine, unique in Shanghai. It’s a Scandinavian menu with a twist, merging their love of fresh ingredients and Scandinavian flavors to get your senses sizzling. 

The head chef, Olsson has developed his unique style from over 15 years of culinary experience, having held several Head Chef positions. Although Olsson has cooked for Swedish royalty and catered at royal weddings, his style remains humble by remembering the importance of trusted, traditional methods of cooking as well as delivering simple but delectable recipes.

The Cuisine

In a city that serves almost every nation’s cuisine around the world, it’s hard to make your menu stand out. But SVEA offers something new: hearty Swedish food with a variety of flavors and fresh concepts.

Chargrilled Australia Beef Sirloin RMB228

Rich crayfish soup, raw fried lobster and juniper cured venison, low braised prime rib and creamy seafood casserole will surly hit the gong. And, of course, the classic Swedish meatballs. Made from equal parts fresh minced pork shoulder and RUMP beef, served with a creamy gravy, potato puree and accompanied with lightly sweetened lingonberries and pickled cucumber. This dish makes for perfect comfort food with a hint of sweetness at RMB 108.

 Pan fried cod loin RMB 238

The cod loin is one of the best cuts of all fish species in Sweden, so it’s no surprise that SVEA offers pan-fried cod loin as one of its specialties. Fried in butter and served with chopped egg, arctic shrimps, horseradish and dill in brown butter, and lightly blanched asparagus, this dish brings all the freshness of Nordic cuisine right to your plate. RMB 238 

Fish & seafood casserole RMB 138

In terms of price, you should count for RMB 40 for a soup, RMB 80 for an appetizer, RMB 150 for the main dish and RMB 45 for a dessert. Elegant, unpretentious but perfectly executed preparations. The top priorities are taste, quality and cooking research.

Icelandic shrimp toast RMB78

Being honest, cooking Nordic cuisine in Shanghai is a challenge. As Swedish focus on ingredient freshness, it is difficult to concoct the same recipes on another side of the world. Some ingredients are missed, vegetables don’t quite have the same taste.  However Oskar and Tobias don't fear these hurdles, they embrace them. And for that only one word remains: creativity. 

SVEA

Address: 188 Rui Hong Lu, Ruihong Tiandi Hall of The Moon, 1/F, 21/B

Hours: Daily 10:30am-10:00pm

Tel: [phone]

Price: Around RMB300 per person

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