UnFinnished Podcast

In this episode, we visit Obanh Vietnamese Kitchen in Tampere, Finland, to explore authentic Vietnamese cuisine and the story behind this family-run restaurant.We talk with Tungi about his experience growing up in Finland with Vietnamese parents, balancing two cultures and languages, and how that journey has influenced both his identity and the restaurant. He shares insights into multicultural life in Finland and how their passion for Vietnamese food brings people together.This episode is perfect for listeners interested in Vietnamese cuisine, cultural identity, and inspiring small business stories.Obanh More info Bistro DinDin More info

 A Mexican, a Vietnamese-American, a Zimbabwean and an Angolan-Portuguese walk into a bar… in Finland. What could go wrong? In this episode, we dive into the reality behind Finland being named the happiest country in the world again. Is it really true? Or does it depend on who you ask?We start by sharing recent travel experiences outside Finland, including René’s workation in Alicante and Tam’s trip back to Vietnam. Traveling after living in Finland hits differently, and we explore the small (and big) cultural shifts you start to notice once Finland becomes home.From there, we ask ourselves why Finland keeps topping the list, what it gets right, and why some people might find the title a bit ironic. Expect honest takes, cultural comparisons, and a mix of humor and real talk about life in Finland.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like living in Finland as an outsider or why “happiness” here isn’t always what it seems this episode is for you.Get in touch

What does it really feel like to be far from home? In this episode, we open up about the emotional journey of living away from where you started — how time keeps moving even when you’re not there to witness it. We talk about missing the people and places that shaped you, the bittersweet feeling of returning to find everything has changed, and the strange realization that home doesn’t always feel like home anymore.If you’ve ever moved away, lived abroad, or struggled with feeling caught between two places, this conversation is for you. Join us as we explore homesickness, personal growth, change, and the complicated emotions of being far from home.Get in touch

In this episode, we visited Café Pispala, the very place where Tam’s journey in Finland first began. Before hitting record, we enjoyed their legendary pancakes and crispy fried chicken—true staples that have helped make this cozy spot a local favorite in Tampere.But this episode is about more than just amazing food.We dive deep into Israel’s inspiring life story—from growing up in sunny Cancún to building a new life in the cold yet picturesque neighborhood of Pispala. What began as a bold move for adventure and opportunity turned into a mission to help transform Café Pispala into the hidden gem so many now cherish.We talk openly about the realities of immigrating to Finland—the culture shock, the language barrier, the dark winters, and the unexpected challenges. But we also explore the beauty of starting over, the strength of community, and the small wins that make the journey worthwhile.If you’re curious about:Moving to FinlandImmigrant life in the NordicEntrepreneurship in a new countryBuilding community abroadOr inspiring immigrant success storiesThis conversation is for you.Get in touch

In this episode, we visited Sitko Pizza, one of the original pioneers of Tampere’s pizza scene. We sat down with owner Henri Salenius to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, what inspired him to open a pizza restaurant, and how Sitko Pizza has evolved since its early days.Henri shares insights into building a successful restaurant brand in Tampere, the philosophy behind crafting high-quality pizza, and the importance of exceptional customer service in a competitive market. We explore how continuous development, innovation, and a commitment to excellence have helped Sitko Pizza remain relevant and respected in Finland’s growing food scene.The conversation also touches on the rapidly changing landscape of food delivery services in Finland. Without planning it in advance, our discussion aligned perfectly with current industry trends. We examine how third-party delivery platforms impact restaurants, customer expectations, and overall dining experiences — and why the in-restaurant experience can differ significantly from ordering takeaway.If you’re interested in pizza culture in Tampere, restaurant entrepreneurship, food delivery trends in Finland, or the evolution of modern pizza craftsmanship, this episode offers valuable insights from one of the city’s established pizza innovators.Get in touch

On this episode we visited Risky Business, the new bar in Tampere's Hämeenkatu (Main street). We talked about the bar, what it offers and why it has become are new favorite spot.We continued talking about some cultural differences, habits we grew up with and are hard to shake and things that might make people stand out in Finland. Related to this we mentioned things that give away someone from our countries and how poeple differentiate between regions. Some things about our first winter here and how we have adapted through the years. We also talked about investment in integration, integration programs and things that might be causing problems with this from our perspective.Shoutout to the guys at Megabite in Rongankatu and their fried chickenGet in touch

Originally from Sinaloa, Mexico Sol has found a home in Finland. She talked with us about her journey, her struggles and everything she has gone through while exploring her new home. We talked about "La Negrita" a project which has become her way of sharing her culture and her love for good food, showing Mexican food came to Finland to stay and become a favorite for those looking for bold flavors. Get in touch

In this episode of Unfinnished Podcast, three voices from different parts of the world, Zimbabwe, Vietnam (Vietnamese American), and Mexico, come together to talk about what it really means to live, communicate, and integrate in Finland.We dive into:Language differences and communication challenges in FinlandLearning Finnish (and surviving with English)Multicultural identity and cultural misunderstandingsIntegration experiences as immigrants in FinlandHow background, race, and culture shape everyday lifeCurrent affairs and social realities in Finnish societyFrom funny misunderstandings to serious reflections on belonging, this episode explores how language and culture influence integration — and what it’s like building a life in a country that isn’t your birthplace.🎙️ About Unfinnished PodcastUnfinnished Podcast is a multicultural podcast hosted by a Zimbabwean, a Vietnamese American, and a Mexican living in Finland. We talk about life in Finland, immigration, identity, culture, current affairs, and the everyday realities of being international in a Nordic country.If you’re interested in:Life in Finland as a foreignerImmigrant experiences in EuropeMulticultural conversationsLanguage learning and integrationFinnish culture from an outsider’s perspective…this podcast is for you.Get in touch

This time we dropped by Mad Finn at the lively Pyynikin Trikoo in Tampere—Can you name a better place for pizza and beer? We sat down with the people behind the magic: Mario from Mexico and Jay from Australia, two passionate brewers with bold ideas and even bolder beers.We dove into the world of craft brewing in Finland, the cultural blend in the brewery scene, and what it’s like to create flavor with an international flair. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, a few laughs, and a relaxed conversation among friends.Get in touch

Untold stories about immigrants sending money back home. On this episode we visited Noob arcade, had some slicemonger pizza and talked with Michael Gabagas about his journey from South Africa to Finland and his new project. He explained us what black tax is and why its important to talk about it. We discussed our own experiences with this and talked about why this is rarely mentioned even while being so common.Get in touch

In this episode, we visit Old Mate’s and chat with Juuso, the manager of the bar. We dive into the story behind Old Mate’s and its sister locations, getting a behind-the-scenes look at what makes these spots so special. Juuso and Tam also share highlights from their recent trip to Japan — from wild adventures to cultural gems. It’s a laid-back convo full of laughs, stories, and good vibes. Get in touch

Meet Georgios — former actor and host, now entrepreneur and local election candidate for Tampere and Pirkanmaa! Born and raised in Finland with African roots and an international mindset, his life journey has shaped how he sees the world today. We sat down for a chill chat where he opened up about his story, his values, and the real person behind the campaign. Get in touch

On this episode we visited Tiima cocktail bar and we enjoyed a beautiful cocktail while chatting with Tero, the guy who makes the magic happen. He told us about the place and we talked about the bar industry. The conversation brough up the question, is the grass greener in Finland? We think it is.Get in touch

On this episode we visited Kim's Bap, an autentic Korean place in the heart of Tampere. Owner and chef Terry joined us to talk about his journey from Korea to Finland, cultural differences and how many of us who come to Finland slowly adapt to life here and adopt some of the local ways sometimes without even realizing. We also talked about the kind of food and flavors he offers and what he would like to see in the future.Get in touch

Unfortunately Bistro Amandae closed its doors a few weeks after we recorded but we thought the conversation we had with Chef Juho Rajamäki was an intersting look into Tampere and Finlands restaurant scene and didnt want it to be lost.We also talked about the way Finland deals with traffic fines and what makes the system so interesting.Get in touch

On this episode we stopped at Red Lion, a Traditional British Pub in the heart of Tampere. Joshofwestern joined us to talk about his experiences as a content creator and to tell us more about the Superbowl event he is organizing with Tam.We laso talked a bit about our early experiences with technology and some other random topics.Get in touch

On this episode our friend Fred was visiting Finland and we took a moment to talk about the old Aussie Bar which he was an important part of. While Aussie Bar is still going strong in Helsinki, in Tampere it has been closed for a while, but as we have mentioned in other episodes, thats where we all used to meet and where we met a lot of our friends so we wanted to talk more  about those times.We recorded this episode in Kaijakka's Sauna so we of course had to talk about our first experiences with Finnish sauna.Get in touch

This is the second part of our Christmas special. This time we cooked traditional dishes from our home countries and talked about them and their history. We also discussed traditional Finnish food and other christmas traditions.Get in touch

For the last episode this season we decided to do a Christmas special. This time we cooked traditional dishes from our home countries and talked about them and their history. We also discussed traditional Finnish food and other christmas traditions.Get in touch

On this episode we visited Maja/Talo. Sara selected some food for us to try as well as some drinks like their original Erkki lager. She told us how Erkki has become an icon of Maja/Talo and the kind of atmosphere you should expect to find here, as well as how they have managed to stay atttractive for regulars and newcommers.We had to ask her about the brilliant move with the Aaron Paul sign and she told us the story behind it and how the idea came up.More info about Maja/Talo:https://www.ravintolamajatalo.com/Get in touch

On this episode we went for dinner to Funky Woo and then stopped for a drink at Goldies. Riku the shift manager at Goldies joined us to talk about Goldies and his coming participation at a cocktail competition. He told us about his drink and why he got into the bar world.Dinner sparked a conversation about service, food allergies and fusion foods. We also talked about the difference in perception about safety and how a foreign name might help or hinder your search for appartment or when selling/buying stuff online.More info about Goldie's:https://goldies.fiMore info about Funky Woo:https://funkywoo.fiGet in touch

On this episode we visited Bonker Moodcourt, home of Hoax Vegan & Awesome, TNT Tacos 'N' Tequila and Noob Bar & Arcade.  We talked with Manuel Villarreal, who shared with us his story coming to Finland during the pandemic, struggling with immigration and coming back to Finland a few years later now as a head chef for TNT.We tried their food, some delicious vegan loaded fries from Hoax and some tacos from TNT. We discussed about their menu and the changes it has gone through.We talked about the results of the US elections and the first impressions and how Finland feels like home now.More info about Bonker:https://www.bonker.fi/en/TNT:https://www.instagram.com/tacosntequila.fiHOAX:https://www.instagram.com/hoaxvegan/NOOB:https://www.instagram.com/noob_arcade/Get in touch

On this episode we visited O'Connell's Irish Pub and talked with Simon Foster, who guided us through his journey from Ireland to Finland and getting involved with the Pub. We talked about the challenges and how things have changed in the city through the years.We tried their delicious Guinness Beef Pie and by Simon's recommendation a Readbreast 12 Irish whiskey which you definitely have to try.We also learned about some interesting connection between Native Americans and Irish as well as with Finnish people.More information about O'Connell's: https://www.oconnells.fi/https://www.instagram.com/ocstampere/Get in touch

On this episode we visited Sailor's Bar & Grill. Sami served us some Pärämätsi, the new item in their menu, a meat pie with Tatar roots which is a staple of grill food in Tampere. We soke about some Finnish words that might be controversial in other languages and discussed about what a sandwich really is.Get in touch

On this episode we visited DAM an iconic Restaurant Bar right by the dam which gave birth to this city. We had the chance to talk with Kimmo one of the owners about this and other projects they have. Joshofwestern joined us to tell us a bit more about the Halloween party they are organizing and we had an unexpected guest. DJDJC joined us to talk about his DJ carreer and how he handles that while also being a basketball agent.Get in touch

For our first episode we visited Onda Music & Arts Cafe a space which aims to bring people together in the heart of Tampere, Finland. We had the chance to talk with Nuno about the place and the concept behind it. We also introduced the team and how we know each other as well as the reason behind the podcast. We discussed our top and worst 3 Finnish foods and some of our experiences as foreigners in Finland.Get in touch