Top 10 Traditional British Dishes

British street food is a mixture of Indian, Italian, Chinese, American, French, and other cuisines from the world. London restaurants offer tourists food from all over the world. But what then does traditional British cuisine look like? We have compiled a list of the most delicious food that every tourist must try.

Roast Beef 

Literally – “fried beef”. This is perhaps the most popular British dish originally from England. It is prepared from a large, whole piece of beef and seasoned only with salt and pepper. Gordon Ramsay bakes roast beef in the oven, the world’s most famous British chef Jamie Oliver suggests first stewing and then grilling meat. Whichever method the cook chooses, the beef is medium-rare. Good roast beef should be reddish in color with a delicious brown crust. Be sure to try this dish in London with the traditional green pea garnish, or in Northern Ireland or Scotland with mashed potatoes or thick vegetable gravy.

Fish and Chips

Traditional British fish and chips are the most popular street food in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It is best to try this dish at the British eateries Fish & Chips or Harry Ramsden’s. This street food is especially popular in London and is usually ordered with a glass of beer. For fish and chips, cod is usually prepared in batter with the obligatory addition of dark ale, and deep-fried. Standard garnish – pea puree, beans, pickled cucumbers, onions. Crispy fish and golden potatoes, mouth-watering sauces, refreshing taste of vegetables, a slice of lemon – this dish of English cuisine have earned thousands of rave reviews from tourists from all over the world.

Bubble and Squeak

Such a funny name was coined because of the cabbage, which makes exactly these sounds during frying. Bubble and squeak is a popular British dish and is part of the classic full Irish breakfast and traditional English Sunday lunch. Its cabbage is cooked with potatoes, sometimes green peas, carrots or other vegetables are added. It is the perfect side dish for meat or eggs. In England, you should definitely try this dish with cold meat and marinade. In Northern Ireland – with scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, and toast.

Shepherd’s Pie

A popular British dish that looks like a casserole rather than a pie. It is definitely worth trying in Northern Ireland – this is its homeland. However, in England or Scotland, this hearty food is prepared just as well. Shepherd’s Pie – a delicious flaky lamb casserole (sometimes other minced meat, poultry, or even ham) with a delicious golden crust made from mashed potatoes. Between them is a layer of the most delicate vegetables: celery, carrots, onions, sometimes pumpkin, green peas, or corn. All of this complements the Worcestershire sauce wonderfully. Vegetarians in England should try the so-called “shepherdess pie” – the same thing, but with beans instead of meat.

Yorkshire Pudding

The snack is so popular that the first Sunday in February is even celebrated as Yorkshire Pudding Day in the UK. There is nothing unusual about it – in fact, it’s just an empty cupcake. In this British dish, the filling is everything. Yorkshire pudding in England is usually served with a roast, in Northern Ireland it is filled with mashed potatoes with beef and vegetables, in Scotland – lamb or sausages with potatoes. For vegetarians in the UK, there is a must-have snack with beans or vegetables. There are really many options for the dish, each is good in its own way.

Cawl

A national British dish originally from Wales. In modern Welsh, the word “cawl” is used to refer to any meat soup. But if you see cawl on a restaurant menu, for example, in London, it means the dish from Wales that you see in the photo. Traditional Welsh soup is made with a strong lamb or beef broth with potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables. Leeks and specially thickened broth give this dish a special taste. This is a very satisfying food to try in the UK during the colder months.

Haggis

The most famous Scottish dish that can be tasted in London, it is so popular. This is a mutton’s ventricle stuffed with giblets with bacon, onions, and aromatic spices. It is traditionally served with a rutabaga garnish with potatoes. In restaurants in London, you can try a more presentable version of the dish, reminiscent of large meatballs fried in breadcrumbs. In British cuisine, there is a vegetarian haggis – a very satisfying and delicious analog of the Scottish traditional food.

Toad in the Hole

This dish is a popular street food in London. If you enjoyed Yorkshire pudding, be sure to try this quirky snack. In restaurants, it is baked and served in the form of a large pie, and in fast-food establishments, the “toad in the hole” is more like pizza. Delicious meat sausages baked in the batter for Yorkshire pudding rarely leave anyone indifferent. The dish is served with thick onion sauce and vegetables. If you order a glass of beer with it, it will be even tastier.

Cornish Pasty

The Cornish is an inexpensive snack popular throughout England. You can buy it in many eateries in London. The Cornish pasty is a very mouth-watering British pasty that must be tasted hot. Thin dough, lots of filling, recognizable shape with a small “pigtail” on the side. The pies are stuffed with minced meat, sometimes with potatoes or other vegetables. You can even try cornish with fruit filling – it will be very good too.

Scotch Eggs

This dish can be tasted throughout the UK and is very popular in London – it is often served for breakfast in many eateries. An incredibly simple recipe, but what an amazing taste! The dish is meat cutlets with a boiled egg inside. They are fried until golden brown in crispy bread crumbs. Scotch Eggs are the most popular variation of this dish. But in England, you can try a little less well-known types of snacks: Manchester-style eggs (the filling is pre-marinated) or Worcester style (cooked with the legendary sauce). You can easily buy them in the big supermarkets in London.