Experience of the month, Denmark
Odense’s newest food market Arkaden Food Market opened its doors to the public in December 2017, and has since taken the Danish city of Odense by storm. Food from all four corners of the world — as well as plenty of coffee, wine and beer — is there to be enjoyed with friends, family, or simply while relaxing on your own. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Arkaden Food Market
Street food has become incredibly popular in Denmark and, when Arkaden Food Market opened, the founders wanted to ensure that what they were offering was not something that could be found on any street corner in Odense. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and positivity we’ve received since opening,” says Thomas Kyung Jensen, partner of Arkaden Food Market. “It’s amazing to see how people have taken to the concept and how excited they were to try something new and different.”
Everything under one roof There are numerous exciting culinary experiences to be had at Arkaden, and 102 | Issue 115 | August 2018
there is something even for the pickiest customer. Whether you want fried chicken, sushi, fresh spring rolls or Moroccan street food — to name just a few of the cuisines available at Arkaden — there is sure to be something to satisfy the taste buds. “We really wanted to be able to offer something a little bit different,” Jensen explains. “Of course, we have some classics like pizzas and burgers, but we wanted to ensure that each stall had its own story to tell. The pizza stall, for example, is run by an Italian chef using a particular method from his home region. We have another stall that only uses ingredients
from Fyn, ensuring the farm to fork chain is as sustainable as possible. Everyone is happy to have a chat, so if you’re curious about the food, then you can always ask.” There are currently 21 stalls, a wine bar, a beer bar and a coffee shop, serving over 2,000 people every day.
Serving the whole community The wonderful thing about Arkaden is that it has become a meeting point for the whole of Odense and its visitors. “In the morning, you’ll often see someone studying with their laptop, or a group having a business meeting. And in the afternoon, both the young and the old come in for a bite to eat. And then everyone gathers in the evening for food or a drink,” Jensen says. It makes for a superb atmosphere, as everyone sits on long benches next to each other. “You’ll often find yourself sitting next to someone you don’t know, something we’ve so far found to be incredibly positive, as it gives a commu-