There are some iconic foods in North Dakota that pretty much any North Dakotan has had at least once, if not a hundred times, in their lifetime. A lot of them are German or Norwegian based foods since most of the state’s population stems from both German and Scandinavian immigrants settling the state and passing their family recipes down generation after generation. And, of course, some of them are just classics that pretty much everyone loves.

Be warned: reading this list might cause extreme cravings and hunger for some delicious, home-cooked meals. Proceed with caution!

1. Knoephla
bisongirl/Flickr
Knoephla, with numerous other spellings, is a creamy dumpling and potato soup that is one of the most popular foods in North Dakota. It will warm and fill you up on even the coldest of days and people hold their perfect knoephla recipes close to their heart.
2. Walleye
Bill Roehl/Flickr
Whether you like it grilled or fried or fresh from the lake - walleye is by far the fish of choice in North Dakota. Not only that, but the "walleye capital" of the nation is in Garrison, ND. It's no wonder why it's one of the foods North Dakota is known for!
3. Fleischkuekle
Visit Grand Forks via Facebook
This Russian-German meat-filled pastry can probably bring back fond memories for a lot of native North Dakotans - memories of visiting grandparents while growing up and eating these scrumptious treats. There are numerous restaurants in North Dakota that serve these, and people love them.
4. Hotdish
moleofproduction/Flickr
This is pretty much "the" dish of the midwest, and North Dakota definitely falls right into that category. This meal works for any occasion, event, or home meal and is delicious to boot!
5. Lefse
litherland/Flickr
Yum! Who doesn't love some lefse during the holidays? This Scandinavian food looks simple but it's absolutely delicious. It goes well with both sweet and savory toppings, or simply as-is.

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6. Hot Beef Sandwich
hawaiidiva/Flickr
This can also be a hot turkey sandwich. This gravy-covered dish always hits the spot. It's just the perfect combination of bread, hot meat, mashed potatoes, and a generous amount of gravy... maybe a bit too generous. What am I saying? You can never have too much gravy!
7. Goulash
Don Harder/Flickr
Goulash is a more Scandinavian-based meal and a go-to for, well, any time! Whoever said macaroni noodles could only be paired with cheese?
8. Sauerkraut
Kathrin Marks/Flickr
The topping of all toppings, the side of all sides, the "can be put in or on pretty much anything" food - sauerkraut. It's not just good on a hot dog or as a side for sausage - you can even make sauerkraut knoephla. Although fermented cabbage isn't everyone's cup of tea, it certainly is one of North Dakota's favorites.
9. Cheese Buttons (a.k.a. Kase Knephla)
Dédra Moore via Facebook
Now these will make your mouth water by just looking at them if you've ever had them before. They are that kind of food where you can never have just one. They consist of dough with a cheesy filling, boiled and then fried, creating a yummy cheesy treat.
10. Kuchen
Germans from Russia Foodways and Traditions via Facebook
"Kuchen" in German is just a general word for cake, but here it is a very specific dessert or comfort food. You can get it in apple, apricot, blueberry, cherry, chocolate chip, peach, rhubarb - too many types to name. It's the ultimate North Dakota comfort food. This delicious fruit kuchen was featured on the Germans from Russia Foodways and Traditions Facebook page, which is pretty much the ultimate North Dakota foods page. If you need more reasons to be hungry for some good German-heritage ND foods right now then check out their page. Tons of recipes, too!

Are you drooling yet? I know I am! What are your favorite iconic foods in North Dakota?

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Iconic Foods In North Dakota

Leah | February 15, 2020

What is North Dakota known for?

Along with the foods North Dakota is known for, there are many other aspects of the state people often think of. The grassy prairies are home to its iconic bison herds and its lakes are popular for fishing that people travel far and wide for. It's known as the breadbasket of America because of the large amounts of farmlands that cover it, especially for its durum wheat - most widely used for a huge portion of the noodles the country consumes. Additionally, its largest city, Fargo, is a well-known place after the cult classic movie by the Coen brothers of the same name was released in 1996.

Which restaurants serve the foods North Dakota is known for?

You can find some of these most popular foods in North Dakota at quite a few restaurants and eateries. Kroll's is a small diner chain based in the state that serves knoephla, fleischkuekle, and so much more. Caramel rolls, another well-loved ND food, are served at bakeries like the Bread Pan Bakery in Langdon or at cafes like Darcy's Cafe in Grand Forks. You'll find fantastic hot beef and hot turkey sandwiches at Charlie's Main Street Cafe in Minot. There's no better place for North Dakota's favorite fish, walleye, than the "walleye capital" Garrison, and Ye Olde Malt Shoppe & Eatery has some of the best in town.

What are the most iconic restaurants in North Dakota?

Beyond the most iconic foods in North Dakota, there are iconic restaurants that everyone should try. The HoDo in Fargo serves a wide variety of high-quality cuisine, plus it's located in one of the most unique and well-known hotels in the state. Peacock Alley in Bismarck is the longest-running North Dakota restaurant and people love their spectacular steaks as well as their fascinating history. In Medora, Theodore's Dining Room sees thousands of visitors every year and they enjoy the historic western feel of the place as well as the impressive menu.

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