On Viking Ocean Cruises, Mamsen’s Deli Serves Mum’s Recipes on Mum’s China
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| Mamsen’s will be a feature on all 6 Viking Ocean Ships |
As to Hagen’s culinary input, it’s visible on the menu of Viking Ocean’s Restaurants in the form of the Chairman’s Poached Salmon, a simple preparation involving boiled potatoes and a cucumber salad. But nowhere is it more personal than at the Norwegian deli, Mamsen’s which is just down the hall from Hagen’s personal accommodations aboard every Viking Ocean ship.
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| Sublime Waffles are a big draw at Mamsen’s |
Mamsen’s is named in honor or Torstein Hagen’s mother — mamsen is Norwegian for “mum”. Both sweet and savory dishes are said to come from his mother’s cookbook. Mamsen’s is a treasured spot for breakfast — out of the way and a perfect place to watch the sunrise, opening as it does at 6:30 a.m. Greeting the day with freshly made waffles topped with anything from Norwegian cheeses to fresh fruits to chocolate sauce is an indescribable treat. But lunchtime is Hagen’s preferred time to visit. A koldtbord, or Nordic buffet, features open-faced sandwiches (Smorbrod) both hot and cold and there’s always a soup. His favorite dish? Reke — Atlantic shrimp on white bread the recipe for which you’ll find below.
But there’s one detail at Mamsen’s that telegraphs just how much each Viking ship is Hagen’s personal domain: He found the actual china his mother had used at their home in Norway and had it reproduced for use on the ship. Now the china sails the Seven Seas upon which Hagen feels supremely at home.
