The name Maaemo derives from the Finnish language, meaning "Mother earth". The entire experience at Maaemo is about the connection between the raw ingredients and the final dish. Nearly all of the ingredients used in the menu are from the local area. While the majority of the fruit is farmed or foraged in the region immediately surrounding Oslo, with an emphasis on organic and ecological techniques, some of the seafood, such the wild salmon cooked in salted butter, is sourced from the pristine waters of Norway's northern shore. The goal of chef Esben Holmboe Bang is to combine products from different parts of the country. Maaemo offers a gourmet tour of the Norwegian landscape, stopping in the southerly Hvaler islands and the inland wildness of Rros.