Iceland is best known for its glaciers, geysers and -- in the capital city of Reykjavik -- its wild nightlife. But now we can add one more extraordinary local feature to the country's distinguishing traits: delicious sheep's head. With culinary delicacies like minke whale, horse, reindeer, puffin and putrefied shark, this Nordic island is already a dream destination for the adventurous eater.
For the truly brave, however, the BSI Bus Terminal is a must-see, just 10 to 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavik by foot. The unassuming eatery within the terminal is a local landmark, featuring affordable offerings that include a formidable Icelandic tradition known as svi, or sheep head.
If it sounds gross, it certainly does not look any better. As per tradition, the sheep's head is singed with gasoline to remove the hair, and then boiled. The head is de-brained and served whole, accompanied by sweetened mashed potato and mashed beet.
If you're feeling particularly bold, you might try the eye and ear. The bizarre textures and foul tastes make swallowing either a challenge, but eating the rest of the head is largely mind over matter. To be sure, it's difficult to swallow a meal that seems to be smiling back at you (the teeth are still in), but the face meat tastes far better than it sounds, and the tongue is not bad either.
One would be hard-pressed to argue that svi is the best-tasting meal Iceland has to offer, but on the plus side it does afford you the opportunity to tell all your friends that you ate the head of a sheep.


























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Wednesday 03 March
By Southman
Well Sheep goat doesn't sound bad to me. I am Mexican-American and "Cabrito" or Baby Goat (perfect when just after they have left their mother's milk and eating their first greens) is delicious. Usually cooked in the oven for about 5 hours, brains being MY favorite part, this is a real delicacy.
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Wednesday 03 March
By Gunnar Ballzus
Sheep head in Iceland is called "svid" (sviš with Icelandic letters) not "svi" like said here
Tuesday 09 March
By Tom Corsillo
Yeah, apologies for the spelling. I had it as sviš, but it didn't come out that way for whatever reason. Something to do with the Icelandic letter, I'm sure.
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Wednesday 03 March
By Korny
You're all just a bunch of nasty carnivores.. I wish someone cooked you as newborn and served to the same pathetic scum as you are :P
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Wednesday 03 March
By Bea Elliott
Just as all animal/meat eating... Repulsive and barbaric.
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Wednesday 03 March
By Bee
I cant believe that this kind of people exist! They eat and buy whatever is on their plate, dont think about poor animals and their pain. Because of this kind of people, world is polluted, angry, sad, but they have their own punishment, they have to live in their filthy bodies with mediocre soul.
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