Kuori Food and Wine recently claimed second place in Finding Finland’s reader poll for Finland’s best vegetarian restaurant. So, the Finding Finland restaurant reviewers headed to Turku to test this highly praised vegetarian gem.
Kuori Food and Wine is such a beautiful, green oasis that when you arrive, you can’t help but pause for a moment to admire the health and beauty of the plants. The decor is simple and clean in a Scandinavian way, and when you add the ambiance of the open kitchen, the vintage wine bar counter, and the greenery everywhere, the result is absolutely charming.
I had heard about Kuori Food and Wine many times from my friends in Turku, and every one of them spoke highly of the place. I was told it’s a spot that even meat lovers would enjoy. A “sekaani,” they explained, is someone who enjoys both vegetarian and meat dishes and doesn’t exclude either by principle. I’m a sekaani, and my photographer is a pesco-ovo-lacto vegetarian, which means they also enjoy seafood and are big fans of cheese and eggs in their food. Together, we make a great pair for restaurant testing—usually, I opt for the meat dishes, while they go for vegetarian or fish. This time, though, there was no need to choose, as we were both served their amazing vegan tasting menu, called the Kuori Menu, paired with carefully selected, exquisite wines.
Kuori’s wine selection is truly impressive, and I love how they feature wines from small producers and offer specialties like orange wine, which isn’t available everywhere. The drinks list includes Old World wines as well as Finnish blueberry wine from Hollola—the only internationally awarded Finnish blueberry wine. Plus, there’s the already-famous Herbert herb drink, made from surplus herbs.
Kuori Food and Wine’s philosophy revolves around respect for the environment, and it’s evident in everything they do. For example, their falafels are made from organic broad beans from Uusikaupunki, Finland, instead of the usual imported chickpeas.
Now, onto the food tasting. You’re about to enjoy a visual feast of our tasting menu dishes, and we’ll give our final verdict on this much-praised Turku gem at the end. Below are some of the dishes from the seasonal tasting menu we enjoyed in autumn. Currently, Kuori is offering a winter menu, which you’ll find at the end of this review. Be sure to check their website for the most up-to-date menu. Kuori’s food philosophy emphasizes seasonal, ecological, and locally sourced ingredients, which means the menu changes wonderfully often.
So, what did we think after this display of culinary artistry? We felt that every compliment we’d heard was well-deserved. The menu was superb from start to finish, and the wine pairings were spot on. Best of all, you never feel overly full after a vegetarian meal, so you can continue your evening feeling light on your feet. If you haven’t visited Kuori Food and Wine yet, do yourself a favor and go! This place is now officially part of the Finding Finland family.
Warming Broth
Kuori’s bread, dark mushroom broth,
tofu porcini cream, chives, and shiitakes (V,G)
Kuori Tataki
Grilled and marinated tofu, avocado, ponzu sauce, sprouts, and
sesame-ginger mayo (V,G)
Pepper Seitan
Red wine-glazed seitan, Jack Daniels pepper sauce,
chanterelles, pearl onions, pressed potatoes, and salsify (V)
Winter Apple and Miso
Peanut butter cream, ginger-marinated apple,
sesame tuile, and miso caramel
(V,G, contains nuts)
***
ADDITIONAL DISHES FOR THE MENU:
Hokkaido
Roasted pumpkin, feta,
Kuori’s orange-chili oil, and almonds (G, available V)
€9
Cheese
Peltola Blue cheese,
Juustoportti Brandy Nut Cheese,
roasted grapes and pear
(G, available V)
€6
Lue myös: KASVISRAVINTOLA KUORI KIPUSI KORKEALLA ASIAKKAIDEN SUOSIKKILISTALLA
Photos by Elina Engberg
Written and reviewed by Finding Finland Titti
