Copenhagen Weekend Vol.1🇩🇰 Cold Air and the Taste of Salted Pork

Arrival, City Walk, and a Pork Surprise

A few years ago, in the middle of winter, we visited Copenhagen for a weekend to coincide with my husband’s business trip.

When we arrived at the station on Friday afternoon, the first thing I noticed was something unexpected — the familiar green-and-red sign of 7-Eleven. A Japanese convenience store logo in Denmark! I was so surprised and oddly nostalgic that I almost shouted. Seeing it all over the city made me feel an unexpected sense of familiarity. 😄

Walking Along Strøget

After leaving our luggage at the hotel, my children and I decided to explore the city center.

Winter in Copenhagen… yes, it is cold. Berlin, where we used to live, is cold too — but somehow Copenhagen felt even more freezing. As someone who easily feels the cold, I could feel it in my bones.

And yet, despite the chill, the city looked charming and stylish. Colorful buildings with distinctive facades lined the streets. No matter where you pointed your camera, the view felt picture-perfect.

The shopping street itself is not particularly large, but it is filled with simple and refined Nordic design shops. Walking there was a pleasure in itself.

Rather than big luxury brands, we noticed cozy pastry shops with beautiful cakes displayed in the windows, small stores selling accessories and everyday items, and boutiques with understated Scandinavian design. We wandered slowly along the cobblestone streets, stopping whenever something caught our attention.

Even though the cold air made our cheeks numb, we didn’t feel like going back to the hotel.

The city felt simple, yet welcoming. Not flashy, yet quietly memorable. It was the kind of place where even an ordinary afternoon stroll feels special.

A Park and a Rooftop View

We continued walking toward the area where my husband used to work. Nearby, we found a small park with a lake — I believe it was Ørstedsparken.

It was hard to believe we were still in the city center. Ducks and geese wandered slowly around. The winter air was cold, but there was something peaceful about it. Time seemed to move just a little more slowly.

With just a short walk, you can suddenly find yourself in such a quiet place — that is one of Copenhagen’s charms.

Thanks to a kind connection, we were also able to briefly visit my husband’s former office. Standing in a family member’s “workplace” while traveling feels strangely special.

The view from the rooftop was beautiful. Rows of red rooftops stretched out before us, beyond them the sea — and even farther, we were told, you could see Sweden.

Standing there, knowing that another country was just across the water, made me realize how a small city can be connected to a much wider world.

A Pork Feast at “Grisen”

That evening, after my husband finished work, we met up for dinner. The restaurant he originally wanted to visit was fully booked, so while walking around we happened to find Grisen – Traditional Danish Grillbar.

Later, I learned that Denmark is one of the world’s leading pork-exporting countries. It is even said that there are more pigs than people in Denmark. Pork is an important part of the country’s agriculture and culinary culture.

Roast pork is a classic home dish, and especially at Christmas, families traditionally enjoy Flæskesteg — roast pork with perfectly crispy skin.

With that in mind, it suddenly made sense that pork dishes dominated the menu. This truly felt like a traditional Danish grill bar.

When we looked at the menu, we asked the staff, “What’s special here?”

My Choice – A Salt-Grilled Pork Burger

I chose a burger filled with a thick slice of simply salt-grilled pork steak. I regret that I forgot its exact name.

The pork was cut thick, beautifully seared on the outside, and juicy inside. There was almost no seasoning beyond salt — and that was precisely the point. The natural flavor of the meat stood out boldly.

From the first bite, I thought, This is delicious. It wasn’t relying on fancy sauces. It was confident, straightforward, meat-focused.

Delicious.
But definitely heavy.😄

On the side came flæskesvær — crispy fried pork skin, a Danish favorite. The texture was more of a solid crunch than a light crisp. With each bite, the richness spread through your mouth.

Again, very tasty. And at the same time, I couldn’t help thinking, This must be incredibly high in calories.

Denmark was clearly serious about its pork. By the end, I was completely full.

My Husband’s Choice – “Møllehjul”

When his dish arrived, it was almost overwhelming. A juicy beef patty was completely covered — or rather buried — in thick brown sauce. Fried onions were piled generously on top, and the sauce flowed all the way onto the plate. This was less a burger and more a “sauce experience.”

It required a knife and fork. Inside, there was also remoulade sauce, adding another layer of sweetness and richness. Both in flavor and in portion, it was powerful. Perfect for a cold winter night — though honestly, I suspected the calorie count must have been impressive.

My Daughter’s Choice – “Frikadellesandwich”

My daughter chose the Frikadellesandwich — a burger filled with two Danish-style meatballs, known as frikadeller.

The meatballs were well browned on the outside and soft inside. On top sat a fried egg, with a gently runny yolk.

Beneath the meat were red cabbage and chopped pickles. Their sweetness and acidity lightened the richness just enough.

Compared to the bold Møllehjul and my straightforward pork burger, this one felt closer to home cooking — comforting and easier to eat. She seemed very happy with her choice.

It was not a luxury restaurant, but it had warmth and character. And so began our weekend in Copenhagen — charming, composed, and surprisingly, very much a country of pork.

The next morning, we would discover another face of this city.

But that story will have to wait for next time😊