The Stinky Fish Challenge has become one of the most popular food challenges on social media, and for good reason. The reactions are genuine, the stakes feel high, and the shared experience creates memories (and content) that last. Whether you are hosting a small gathering with friends or planning a larger event, here is how to make your surströmming challenge legendary.
What You Will Need
Before your guests arrive, make sure you have everything prepared. There is nothing worse than scrambling for supplies once the can is open.
Essential supplies:
- Surströmming (one can serves 4-6 challengers comfortably)
- A large bucket or basin of cold water for the underwater opening
- Disposable gloves for everyone
- Paper plates and plastic forks
- Plenty of paper towels and napkins
- Bin bags for disposal
- A can opener (rotary type, not a pull-tab)
For the full experience (optional but recommended):
- Tunnbröd (Swedish flatbread) or regular crackers
- Boiled almond potatoes
- Sour cream and chopped red onion
- Drinks: snaps (aquavit), cold beer, or milk (surprisingly effective as a palate cleanser)
For filming:
- Phone tripod or a friend willing to hold the camera
- Good natural lighting (you are outdoors, so this should be easy)
- A backup phone for multiple angles
Setting Up the Space
Location is everything. You must be outdoors. A garden, park, or beach works perfectly. If you are in a shared outdoor space, give your neighbours fair warning. The smell travels.
Set up a table with your supplies laid out and ready. Place the bucket of water on a stable surface near the opening spot. Have a separate "tasting station" a few steps away where participants will eat. This keeps the opening area clean and gives people a moment to compose themselves between the opening and the eating.
Lay down newspaper or plastic sheeting under the opening area. Brine splashes are almost inevitable, and they are not pleasant to step in.
The Opening Ceremony
The can opening is the main event before the tasting. Build it up. Gather everyone around, start filming, and have the designated opener follow the underwater method for the cleanest results. If you want maximum drama, skip the water and go for a direct open, but warn everyone to stand back.
The moment the can opens is where the best reactions happen. Capture those first waves of the aroma hitting your participants. This is the content that gets shared.
Setting Up a Scoring System
A scoring system adds structure and competitiveness to your challenge. Here is a simple framework:
Reaction Score (1-10): Rate how well each participant handles the initial smell. Staying calm earns higher points, while gagging or running away scores lower.
Taste Test Score (1-10): Each participant must eat at least one piece of surströmming. Score based on how much they eat and how they handle it. Eating it on tunnbröd with accompaniments shows commitment.
Style Points (1-5): Bonus points for presentation, commentary, or going back for seconds. Deductions for spitting it out or refusing to participate after committing.
Total possible: 25 points per participant.
Keep a whiteboard or scoreboard visible for added fun. Announce scores dramatically after each round.
Filming Tips for Social Media
The best surströmming challenge videos share a few common traits:
Start with the buildup. Show the bulging can, explain what surströmming is for viewers who do not know, and capture the nervous anticipation of your participants.
Film the opening from multiple angles. One wide shot of the group and one close-up of the can being opened. If you have two phones, use both.
Catch the first reactions. The seconds immediately after the can opens are gold. Keep the camera rolling and let the reactions speak for themselves.
Show the tasting. Reactions to eating are often even better than reactions to smelling. Capture the first bite, the chewing, the swallowing, and the aftermath.
Keep it authentic. The best challenge videos are genuine. Do not fake reactions or exaggerate. Real surströmming provides more than enough natural drama.
Film vertically for TikTok and Reels, horizontally for YouTube. Or film wide and crop later.
What to Drink Alongside
Having the right drinks available makes a significant difference:
- Snaps (aquavit): The traditional Swedish pairing. A small shot between bites cuts through the richness and is how Swedes have enjoyed surströmming for generations.
- Cold lager: A crisp, cold beer is refreshing and palate-cleansing.
- Milk: It sounds unusual, but cold milk is genuinely effective at neutralising the strong flavour. Many first-timers swear by it.
- Water: Always have plenty of water available.
Avoid carbonated soft drinks, as the fizz can amplify the aftertaste.
Post-Challenge Cleanup
Cleanup is not glamorous, but it is essential:
- Double-bag the empty can, remaining brine, and any leftover fish in bin bags.
- Tie the bags tightly and place them in your outdoor bin immediately.
- Wipe down all surfaces with soapy water.
- Wash any reusable items thoroughly.
- Participants should wash their hands and faces with soap and consider changing clothes if brine splashed on them.
Do not leave the cleanup for later. The smell intensifies over time if waste is left sitting out.
The Most Important Rule
Have fun with it. The Stinky Fish Challenge is about shared experience, laughter, and pushing your comfort zone. Whether your guests love it or hate it, the memories and the footage are worth it every time.
Ready to take the challenge? Grab a can from our shop and tag us when you post your video.