Flavours from North Savo
Flavours from North Savo – Taste Journey in Rhythm with Nature
In North Savo, food is not just fuel – it’s the heart of experience.
It sparks conversation, brings people together, and reflects the shifting seasons.
The Savonian dining table has always been a place of interaction, where stories are shared, ideas are born, and meals are meaningful.
Nature’s rhythm is served on every plate.
In summer, light salads, berries, and herbs fill the table. In winter, slow-cooked stews and hearty pies bring warmth and comfort. That’s why Savonian food never feels dull – it's always seasonal, always sincere.
🥬 Tastes from Nearby
The Taste Savo network brings together local producers, restaurants, tourism operators, and food experts united by a common goal:
To support the use of local ingredients, increase the visibility and appreciation of North Savo’s food culture, and promote sustainable, responsible practices.
The network was established in 2023 to continue and grow the cooperation born during the European Region of Gastronomy Kuopio 2020–2021 celebration years.
Today, it includes around 40 active food industry professionals.
Taste Savo is built on values of:
locality, responsibility, community, and collaboration.
🍲 Savonian Food Culture – Eastern Roots, Deep Flavours
Traditional dishes in North Savo are deeply influenced by Eastern Finnish and Slavic food cultures.
The borderlands have shifted over time, and with them, cultural exchange:
salted mushrooms, fermented vegetables, 'kukko' pies, and long-simmered stews are all staples of the Savonian kitchen.
After World War II, over 400,000 Finns were evacuated from Karelia, many settling in this region.
They brought with them beloved traditions – like the iconic Karelian pasty (karjalanpiirakka) – now an inseparable part of the local food identity.
☕ The Table Is Where We Connect
In Savo, a shared meal is more than eating –
it’s a chance to connect, reflect, and build community.
Be it a midday coffee, a farmers’ market tasting or a warm evening meal, food opens the door to conversation.
And often by dessert, strangers become friends.
✨ **Welcome on a taste journey to North Savo.
Here, we eat with heart – and stay a little longer.**
Welcome to our official website!