The cuisine of the United Kingdom carries with it centuries of history and tradition. The popular dishes across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland today reflect not only the current culture in the United Kingdom but also many influences of the past.
While fish and chips is definitely a delicacy you should try while in the UK, there are so many other dishes that are also worth trying. Some may sound quite different from what you’re used to, but travel is all about getting out of your comfort zone!
Check out these 10 delicacies you must try while in the United Kingdom.
10 Comfort Food: Cornish Pasty
You can’t visit the United Kingdom and not try a Cornish pasty. These days you can get all sorts of pasties and modern adaptations to the original recipe. But if you want to try an authentic Cornish pasty, it will have minced beef, potatoes, onions, and seasoning. There are typically more vegetables than beef.
There are various other kinds of savory foods made with shortcrust pastry in the United Kingdom, as these are popular with Brits. While you’re there, also be sure to try a sausage roll and a savory pie.
9 Savory Treat: Pie
Speaking of savory pie, there are several kinds that you can try while in the UK. One of the most popular is steak and kidney. This might not sound appetizing, but don’t knock it until you try it. In this dish, the pastry is stuffed with a filling of beef, kidney, gravy, and fried onion.
There is also Shepherd’s pie, which features a topping of potatoes and is made with lamb. There is an increasing number of fast-food outlets serving up different varieties of pies in the UK, but you should also be able to get a classic pie from the pub.
8 Start To The Day: Full Breakfast
The Brits certainly believe that breakfast should be the biggest meal of the day. That’s evident from the full English breakfast, which typically contains so much food that much of it ends up falling off the plate. In a traditional full breakfast, you’ll find bacon, eggs, toast, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, sausages, hash browns, and black puddings.
Black pudding is the addition that typically scares foreigners the most. These are essentially blood sausages - the pig’s blood is what gives it the flavor. But many Brits love their black pudding in the morning!
7 Pub Meal: Bangers & Mash
You should definitely eat at a pub at least once while in the UK (realistically, you’ll return more than once when you taste the delicious food and experience the inviting atmosphere). A typical pub meal that you’ll find is bangers and mash. In US English, this is sausages and mashed potatoes.
Often, bangers and mash will be served with peas and gravy. The type of sausage that is used in the dish tends to vary. Sausages are most often pork, lamb, or beef and feature different seasonings according to where you are in the United Kingdom.
6 Classic: Fish & Chips
The most classic British dish of all time is probably fish and chips. While Americans usually say chips to refer to cold potato chips, British people are referring to cooked potato chips. They differ from French fries in that they’re typically much thicker. By comparison, Brits call potato chips crisps.
You’ll be able to find fish and chips widely throughout the UK. Traditionally, the pieces of battered fish and chips were wrapped in old newspapers and served, though today they tend to use butcher’s paper. The most common fish used for fish and chips is haddock.
5 Scotland’s National Dish: Haggis
If your United Kingdom trip includes a visit to Scotland, then you should make a point of sampling Scotland’s national dish. The Scots are very proud of it! A lot of people are put off by Haggis when they hear what it actually is. This savory concoction is made from the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep, which are combined with oatmeal, spices, and onion.
That is a lot for many travelers to get their heads around. But according to the Great British Mag, there are vegetarian alternatives available so you can get all the flavor without having to eat any meat.
4 National Pastime: Sunday Roast
The traditional Sunday roast is part of British culture. While it doesn’t have to be eaten on a Sunday, this custom was how the dish originated. A Sunday roast often includes slices of roast beef and gravy served with vegetables such as peas, carrots, and potatoes. It is also served with gravy and Yorkshire pudding.
Yorkshire pudding is made with eggs, flour, and milk. This savory pastry is served alongside the roast to help mop up the remnants. As Visit Britain Shop points out, that’s why it’s conveniently shaped like a bowl!
3 Welsh Favorite: Rarebit
If you’re going to visit Wales, then you have to try some traditional Welsh food before you leave. One of the most popular dishes is the Welsh rarebit, sometimes called Welsh rabbit. Don’t worry - no rabbit goes into this dish!
Rarebit consists of a lump of cheese that is bathed in beaten egg and milk and baked. What you get is an oozing and fancy version of grilled cheese or cheese on toast. Definitely one for cheese-lovers, and definitely not one for those who are lactose intolerant!
2 Summer Dessert: Eton Mess
The United Kingdom is famous for its selection of traditional desserts and sweet treats. A particularly delicious English dessert is the Eton mess, which originated from Eton College in the 1930s. It was originally served at the annual cricket match when the students of Eton played against the students of Harrow.
Incredibly simple, this dish consists of meringue, whipped cream, and strawberries. A great dessert to have over the summer, Eton mess is often served in individual cups or glasses. It can look like a bit of a mess, but it is yummy!
1 Irish Delight: Champ
Northern Irish cuisine has similarities with the cuisine in Ireland, but it also has many characteristics of its own. One of the tastiest dishes to try while visiting Northern Ireland is Champ. This is essentially mashed potatoes, only better.
Champ is traditionally made using potatoes, milk, butter, and scallions. It makes the ultimate side dish and the ultimate form of comfort food. According to Pip and the City, it’s worth sampling the champ at the various pubs around the country to try and work out who does the best one!