Real Turmat Torsk i Kremet Karrisaus (Cod in Creamy Curry Sauce) Review

Overview

The Torsk i Kremet Karrisaus — that’s Cod in Creamy Curry Sauce for the rest of us — is one of the more distinctive meals in Real Turmat’s freeze-dried lineup. Made by Drytech AS out of Tromsø, Norway, the brand has supplied field rations to the Norwegian Armed Forces since 1989, and this civilian pouch carries that same DNA. It’s essentially a creamy cod, potato and carrot stew with a light curry touch — comfort food with Scandinavian sensibilities. If you’re tired of the same pasta-and-meat rotation and want something genuinely different on the trail, this is worth a look — provided fish is your thing.

Key Specs

Spec	Value
Dry Weight	96 g (3.4 oz)
Prepared Weight	500 g
Calories	388 kcal
Protein	19 g
Carbohydrates	34 g
Fat	19 g
Water Required	370 ml
Rehydration Time	8 minutes
Allergens	Fish, Gluten, Lactose, Milk, Celery
Shelf Life	5 years
Country of Origin	Norway
Comparison	See how Torsk i Kremet Karrisaus compares to similar gear

Performance

Flavor and texture. This is where Real Turmat generally earns its reputation, and the cod curry doesn’t embarrass itself. Once rehydrated, the water produces a thick yellow sauce that nicely coats the fish and vegetables. The spicing is well balanced with just a touch of heat, slightly sweet — reminiscent of a korma-style curry. That’s a fair characterization. Don’t expect a bold vindaloo heat; think mild, creamy, and approachable. Reviewers describe it as “really tasty, filling and definitely not your underwhelming camo food.”

The fish texture is the one variable. Pieces can be slightly chewy, though the overall dish is well-seasoned and pleasantly spiced. Freeze-drying does a better job preserving protein texture than standard dehydration, but cod is inherently more delicate than chicken or beef — rehydrate fully before eating and you’ll minimize toughness.

Salt. The meal is quite heavily salted, though after a long day of hard effort that works in its favor. If you’re salt-sensitive or on a low-sodium protocol, take note. On a sweaty summer ascent, you’ll probably welcome it.

The fish smell. Fair warning: the moment the seal is broken, a strong fish aroma arises — one that’s noticeably more pungent than you’d expect. It mellows out during rehydration and the finished dish smells pleasant enough, but cracking this open in a crowded shelter isn’t the most socially neutral move. Tent campers: you’re fine.

Rehydration. The 8-minute wait at the fill line is accurate in my experience when using properly boiling water. The fill line is clearly marked on the outside face of the pouch, which makes measuring water easy without a separate cup. The pouch forms a stable bowl shape once opened — a small but genuinely useful design touch. At altitude or when using cold water, add a couple of minutes and give it an extra stir.

Packaging. Real Turmat vacuum-packs their pouches — unlike most competitors. This delivers two concrete benefits: smaller pack size, and no need for an oxygen absorber rattling around inside. Shelf life is rated at five years, which makes it a reasonable choice for both trip use and emergency food storage.

Caloric density. This is where I’d pump the brakes a little. At 388 kcal for a 96 g pouch, you’re looking at roughly 4.0 cal/g — on the lower end for a freeze-dried dinner. For easy hiking days or shoulder-season trips, that’s fine. For high-output days — big alpine ascents, winter travel, back-to-back 20-milers — this meal alone won’t cut it. Pair it with a calorie-dense snack or add some olive oil to the pouch if you’re running a high deficit.

Brand heritage. Real Turmat meals are freeze-dried, which means ingredients retain their shape and structure better than other forms of dehydration — the result is meals that taste more like real food and often have better mouthfeel. The freeze-drying technology dates back to the early 1990s when Drytech’s founder and the Norwegian Armed Forces collaborated on a project to improve military rations — so there’s genuine expertise behind the process, not just marketing copy.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Genuinely flavorful — mild, creamy curry that actually tastes like food
• Good fish and vegetable texture thanks to freeze-drying
• Vacuum-packed pouch is compact and requires no oxygen absorber
• External fill line makes measuring water simple in the field
• 5-year shelf life
• Eat-from-pouch convenience with a stable bowl shape
• Norwegian cod is a more interesting protein than the usual mystery chicken

Cons

• 388 kcal is modest — not sufficient for high-output days on its own
• Strong fish odor on opening (fine outdoors, less ideal in shared spaces)
• Fish pieces can be slightly chewy if underhydrated
• Heavy salt load — a feature for some, a problem for others
• Allergen list is long: fish, gluten, lactose, milk, celery
• Less widely available outside Europe

Who Should Buy This

This meal fits best with hikers and backpackers who want real protein variety beyond the chicken-and-noodles defaults — especially anyone on a Scandinavian route or someone who actively enjoys fish. It’s the kind of hearty meal you’d look forward to after big adventure days or winter camping, where the salt and fat content earns its place. If you’re strictly ultralight and counting every calorie per ounce, the modest energy density may push you toward a denser option. But if taste and variety matter as much as macros, this is a solid call.

Verdict

Real Turmat’s Torsk i Kremet Karrisaus is a well-executed, genuinely tasty freeze-dried meal that stands out from the crowd by using real Norwegian cod and leaning into a mild, creamy curry profile rather than overseasoned slop. The main caveat is caloric: 388 kcal won’t carry a hard day on its own, so plan your food kit accordingly. For a moderate day or as part of a larger meal spread, it’s one of the more memorable things you’ll eat from a pouch. 7/10.