San Francisco's appetite for innovative street food continues to grow with the introduction of Swedish hot dogs, thanks to the culinary pop-up sensation Hej Hej, led by chef Amelia Eudailey. As Eater SF reports, this foodie adventure is laced with nostalgia and global flavors, dishing out creations that are shaking up the local hot dog scene. Eudailey, who pulls double duty with a tech job, has been wooing taste buds with her childhood memories served on a brioche bun and some unique toppings that include creamy shrimp salad and mashed potatoes.
In a narrative that ties together her bi-cultural heritage, culinary passions, and tech savvy, Eudailey is both a memory maker and an entrepreneur, according to a profile by Eater SF; she brings Swedish cuisine to the forefront in a city that's seen its fair share of Scandinavian fare reduce since the closure of Swedish restaurant Plaj in 2021. Adding to the experience, Eudailey's pop-up serves a playful variety of Swedish delights from cinnamon knots to cardamom cookies, but it's the Swedish hot dog that's earned the spotlight, a Cream Co. Meats beef hot dog topped with housemade pickles, fried shallots, ketchup, and honey mustard — a combo that'll make your palate do a double take.
Expanding on the concept of a traditional hot dog, Eudailey's veggie option – announced on Instagram by 3560taraval – incorporates a vegan dog with a lion’s mane mushroom salad, emulating the shellfish taste usually delivered by the shrimp salad. This innovative take on a Swedish classic isn't just playing with flavors but also with textures and temperatures the chef describes as a "flavor explosion."
The story behind Eudailey's culinary journey, chronicled on Chef Hej Hej's website, unveils a self-taught chef with an appreciation for food that transcends borders, one who sharpened her skills at San Francisco's Octavia before embarking on her pop-up journey offering a taste of Sweden in the Golden State. To catch a bite of the Swedish-infused American staple, food enthusiasts can head to the Hej Hej pop-up at 3560 Taraval on select dates — a perfect fusion of international flavors and local love for iconic street food.
