New York food lovers heading to Norway might be surprised to find a familiar flavor far from home — and it’s not bagels or pizza.
At Sumo Restaurants, a popular Asian fusion chain found in Norwegian cities including Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, one of the most buzzed-about dishes isn’t sushi or ramen, but a sweet and savory plate of NYC Orange Chicken.
Despite its reputation for high quality and creative sushi made with local ingredients like Norwegian salmon, Sumo has carved out a devoted following for a dish inspired by American Chinese takeout. The chain’s culinary team made multiple trips to New York City to study the dish at its source, sampling versions from restaurants across the boroughs to perfect their own.
“We were fascinated by the relentless popularity of this dish throughout America, so we had to give it a try,” said David Wright, Head of Marketing. “It’s bold to name a dish after New York City when you’re thousands of miles away, but we wanted to pay homage. We love it, our customers love it, and our American guests claim that it’s better than what they can get back home!”
The NYC Orange Chicken now stands alongside an eclectic menu that fuses influences from across Asia. Dishes range from sushi and dumplings to signature warm plates like Kobashi Beef, Sticky Pork Ribs, Chicken Satay, Shigeki Steak, and the indulgent Shiang-Ku Burger, smothered in a truffle miso glaze.
Even ramen gets a twist: the Pho-Ra-Men, a hybrid of Vietnamese pho and Japanese tonkotsu ramen, arrives packed with rice noodles, Dan-Dan minced pork, bok choy, basil, and a marinated soft-boiled egg.
“We’ve always made it a priority to travel the world in search of inspiration to keep evolving our concept,” said Executive Head Chef Ion Sarcanean. “From Singapore and Malaysia to Japan, Dubai, the UK, and beyond — but New York has remained a constant and powerful source of inspiration for us. It’s a lot of fun translating that to a Norwegian audience!”
Then comes the added element of their speakeasy-style dining room. Tucked away behind a secret entrance, this intimate space is tailored for up to fourteen guests, a perfect setting for special celebrations, VIP dinners, or private gatherings. With its bespoke handcrafted table, plush cocktail sofas, private cloakroom, Japanese-imported restroom, and a dedicated waiter, the room oozes exclusivity and comfort . Add a curated champagne list, refined Asian-fusion dishes, and an atmosphere that balances elegance and fun, and you’ve got a truly memorable dining experience right in the heart of Oslo.
With American flavors making their mark across the North Atlantic, Sumo proves that even half a world away, a craving for orange chicken can still feel like home.
