Real Swedish 'Fish': What Swedes Actually Eat Instead
If Swedish Fish are American, what do Swedes actually eat? Here is the real Swedish candy lineup, from sour skulls to salmiak, and how to taste it for yourself.
Swedes do not really eat Swedish Fish, which are an American candy. What they actually eat is loose pick-and-mix candy (losgodis) sold by weight: sour skulls, raspberry-licorice foam, salty licorice, fruit gums, and chocolate bars like Marabou. The closest thing to a 'Swedish fish' on a Swedish candy wall is a soft fruit or foam gum, not the Mondelez classic.
The Swedish Fish reality check
As we cover in Are Swedish Fish actually Swedish?, the brand was invented by a Swedish company but is now American-made and American-owned. Swedes did not grow up on them.
What Swedes actually reach for
On a real Swedish candy wall you will find BUBS sour skulls, foam ovals, salty licorice, fruit and wine gums, and Marabou chocolate. It is sold loose, by weight, so you mix your own.
The closest thing to a Swedish 'fish'
If you specifically want that chewy, fruity gum, the soft fruit gums and foam pieces in a Swedish pick-and-mix are the real-deal version, with more character than the American Fish.
Taste the difference
The honest test: build a pick-and-mix bag with sour skulls, a fruit gum, and one salmiak piece, and compare. Need a shortlist? See our 15 best Swedish candies.
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Gustav Lindqvist · Candy Master
Gustav grew up in Sweden on a strict Saturday-candy schedule, mixing his lördagsgodis bag at the lösgodis wall before he could spell salmiak. He has spent years tasting his way across Scandinavian candy, and now curates the range at TheSweetsTruck, from BUBS sour skulls to the saltiest licorice most people cannot finish.
Last updated 6/16/2026