Ikea Is Adding an All New Dish to the Menu

Ikea meatballs? Iconic. Timeless. One of the best things you can buy at the store. Ikea’s falafel balls? New. Fresh. A smart move for a legacy brand that usually focuses on the classics. Ikea’s fish balls? Unexpected. Curious. But in keeping with Swedish food traditions, and maybe, just maybe, a winner…?

Videos by Sporked

That’s what we’re trying to figure out with the just-dropped news that Ikea’s adding fish balls to its menu. Here’s everything we know, and our hot take on it all.

Ikea Fish Balls

Ikea’s new menu item is arriving in its stores on April 22 (which is the same date as Earth Day, in a joining of the two that we love), although they may take a few more days to roll out – get it? – to US locations. Its fish balls will join the rest of its ball-shaped food options, including its aforementioned meatballs and falafel balls, as well as its plant-based balls. Ikea fish balls will be made from haddock, and an eight-piece serving will come with mashed potatoes, green peas, lemon dill sauce, lingonberry jam, and an all-important lemon wedge. It’ll cost $6.99. 

This isn’t the first time Ikea has added fish balls, or fish, to its food court menu. Back in 2018, it introduced salmon balls, and it currently offers a salmon fillet served with a veggie medallion and green peas for $13.99. These new fish balls, though, look as though they’ll be lighter and crispier than those two options, and they’re in keeping with Ikea’s long-term commitment to improving the sustainability of its food. 

Fiskbullar: A Nordic Favorite

Ikea’s new fish balls are part of a way longer culinary tradition in Northern Europe and Sweden, where fiskbullar (or fish balls) have been cooked and served for generations. Particularly popular in coastal regions, fiskbullar are typically made from ground white fish and served with potatoes or rice and green peas – so, largely how Ikea is serving them up. 

Abba, a prominent Swedish brand, has been making fiskbullar since 1838, and should not be confused with the band – although interestingly, the musical group did have to ask the fish producer if it could use the name. Back in 1988, band member Agnetha Fältskog said in an interview (seen via Billboard) that “We had to ask permission and the factory said, ‘O.K., as long as you don’t make us feel ashamed for what you’re doing’ … I think we did a good job.” We agree. And don’t we all love that we learned something new today?

But we digress! Will you be trying new fish balls when they arrive? There’s no word yet on whether they’ll be permanent or not, so if you want to sample them, we’d advise that you move quickly. We just wish its new massive hot dog was in stores worldwide, too. Come on, Ikea.