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Located in the heart of Helsinki, NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa is currently offering something truly special at its breakfast table – and I went to test and photograph it myself. The hotel is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the NH Collection hotel chain by serving an exclusive celebratory breakfast, created in collaboration with Michelin-starred Finnjävel restaurant’s head chef, Mikael von Lüders.
Aesthetics meet Finnish tradition
The highlight of the breakfast is a modern and elegant take on a Finnish classic – röpörieska flatbread. This refined dish features a slightly thicker baked barley flatbread topped with cold-smoked salmon, a delicately poached egg cooked to 64 degrees Celsius, sour cream, and bursts of salmon roe. The flavor combination is both visually stunning and a delight for the taste buds – a perfect way to start the day in Helsinki’s atmospheric city center. The lovely terrace in the centre of Helsinki is also open.
Finnjävel’s Signature Touch Adds Depth to the Dish
Finnjävel is renowned for its strong dedication to Finnish culinary heritage and its modern interpretation. Mikael von Lüders’ skillful approach is clearly present in this special anniversary breakfast, which combines Finnish roots with a refined fine dining experience.
Röpörieska Available for a Limited Time – Until October 2025
Röpörieska is a traditional Finnish flatbread, especially popular in Eastern Finland, such as in the Savo region. It is made from barley and buttermilk, resulting in a soft and moist texture. Röpörieska is often served during Midsummer and other festive occasions, typically accompanied by butter or egg butter.
Now, this celebratory version of röpörieska is available at NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa until October 2025. Similar Michelin-level breakfast experiences are also offered at selected NH Collection hotels in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Mexico, Argentina, and Finland.
So, if you want to combine aesthetic pleasure, Finnish food culture, and the atmosphere of an international premium hotel, this breakfast is a must-try. It is an experience to savor – and one you won’t soon forget.
A Celebration with International Scope and a Local Heart
NH Collection is known for its high-quality hotels in major cities around the world – and now also in Helsinki. The new hotel has opened in a historically significant building and it blends Finnish cultural heritage with an international hotel concept. NH Collection Helsinki is part of a network of 10 hotels in Europe and Latin America participating in the Signature Breakfast Constellation Edition campaign, where celebratory breakfasts are being served.
Participating Hotels and Chefs:
- NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre: Culler de Pau (2 stars), Javier Olleros
- NH Collection Madrid Palacio de Tepa: Paco Roncero Restaurante (2 stars), Paco Roncero
- NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo: Versátil (1 star), Alejandro Hernández
- NH Collection Milano CityLife: La Parolina (1 star), Iside de Cesare
- NH Collection Roma Palazzo Cinquecento: Pipero (1 star), Ciro Scamardella
- NH Collection Eindhoven Centre: Wiesen (1 star), Yuri Wiesen
- NH Collection Copenhagen: Kadeau (2 stars), Nicolai Nørregaard
- NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa: Finnjävel (1 star), Mikael von Lüders
- NH Collection Mexico City Reforma: Biko, Mikel Alonso
- NH Collection Buenos Aires Crillon: García, Luciano García
35 Million Guests, 20 Million Breakfasts – and Now, Michelin-Level Quality
The NH Collection hotel chain is part of the international Minor Hotels family, with over 100 hotels and 15,000 rooms across Europe and Latin America. Over the past decade, the hotels have served more than 35 million breakfasts – 20 million of them in buffet style. Now, this breakfast experience is reaching a new pinnacle: the Signature Breakfastseries, featuring 11 Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants.
I’ve stayed in two NH Collection hotels in Europe myself, though neither of them is part of the Signature Breakfast Constellation Edition campaign. However, both stays were excellent – especially in Budapest. In Rome, the buffet breakfast was particularly memorable.
Finnjävel’s Signature Dish Available by Request
If you wish to elevate your hotel breakfast with a touch of luxury, this celebratory Röpörieska dish is available upon request during the breakfast service at Hansa Café Brasserie, priced at €40 including the breakfast, until October. Hansa Café’s breakfast is a near-perfect experience for both hotel guests and local food lovers – and a wonderful introduction to the world of Michelin stars.
And best of all: breakfast is served until 1 PM on weekends!
But Why Exactly 64 °C?
Cooking an egg to precisely 64 degrees Celsius is a refined culinary technique aimed at achieving the perfect balance in texture between the egg white and yolk. This temperature is often referred to as the “64-degree egg” or, in English, the “onsen egg” – a nod to the traditional Japanese method of gently cooking eggs in natural hot springs.
The Science Behind the Temperature Choice
Different parts of the egg coagulate at different temperatures:
- The egg white begins to set at around 62–63 °C but remains soft and tender at 64 °C.
- The yolk starts to thicken around 65–70 °C, so at 64 °C it remains runny but slightly thickened.
The Result: A Perfect Texture
When the egg is gently cooked for a prolonged time at a stable 64 °C – typically between 45 to 60 minutes – the result is:
- A soft, custard-like white that is smooth and not rubbery, unlike a hard-boiled egg.
- A yolk that is rich, creamy, and luxuriously silky in texture.
Fine Dining Elegance
This technique is a hallmark of modern fine dining, as it showcases the egg’s subtle structure and flavor profile. It’s often used in:
- Soup garnishes
- Warm gourmet salads
- Toasts or brioche dishes
- Japanese ramen bowls
Cooking an egg to 64 °C is not intended for everyday breakfast, but for a carefully curated culinary experience where texture and flavor are elevated to a new level. It’s ideal for visually refined dishes and indulgent breakfasts that aim to impress.
Read more about travel, dining, and artistic experiences –
- Visual travel guide for Finland
- Visual travel guide for Helsinki
- Visual travel guide for Europe
- Blogging Michelin star experience also in Finnish
This article is part of my
→ Trip to Helsinki – Visual Travel Guide.
You can find all my Helsinki travel videos
→ here.
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