Mojakka facts for kids

Mojakka is a tasty fish soup that comes from the Kalajoki region in Finland. It's a simple, hearty meal that was first made by fishermen.

What is Mojakka?

Mojakka is a traditional Finnish soup. It is known for its simple ingredients. The original recipe uses fresh fish and a few other basic items.

Original Finnish Mojakka

In Finland, the classic mojakka is made with whitefish or Baltic herring. It also includes butter, salt, and onions. A special thickener called "whitewash" is used. This is just a mix of flour and water. The original soup does not have potatoes or other vegetables.

Mojakka in North America

When Finnish people moved to the U.S. and Canada, they started making their own versions. They often made stews with beef or venison (deer meat). They also called these stews "mojakkas." To tell the difference, the original fish soup then became known as kalamojakka. Kala means "fish" in Finnish.

How Mojakka Was Made

Mojakka was first created by fishermen. They worked in the Gulf of Bothnia, a part of the Baltic Sea. These fishermen cooked the soup over open fires. They would make it during their midday breaks. This was between pulling in their nets and setting them out again. The fishermen were proud to eat only the fish they caught themselves.

The Meaning of the Word

The word mojakka comes from the Finnish language. It can mean "cold wind" or "to feel cold." This idea comes from the Finnish word mojo or mojakka, which means "cold wind" or "noise." The word mojottaa means "to feel cold." This was explained by Eino Koponen in a book about Finnish weather words.