There’s no arguing that the three kings of European gastronomy are France, Italy and Spain. But there’s one European cuisine that tends to lag behind its more famous continental cousins. It’s a food style dismissed by snobbishly proud Frenchies, Italians and Spaniards alike. I am referring to none other than the infamous cuisine of the British Isles.
Next year, I embark on my collegiate adventure that will take me to St. Andrews, Scotland, about an hour north of Edinburgh. While British food has failed to reach the same level of international superstardom as the aforementioned cuisines, I’m looking forward to many underappreciated and misunderstood regional specialties that make the U.K. a culinary destination in its own right.
Compiled below is a list of some of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s best dishes with their respective descriptions. Obviously they’re best enjoyed in their homeland, as supposed to some themed pub this side of the pond.
1.Fish and Chips
If there’s one dish emblematic of the U.K., it’s Fish and Chips. Perhaps it’s the dish’s simplicity that makes it so beloved by both the Brits and others the world over. The classic is a generously portioned filet (pronounced fill-it in the U.K.) of Cod or Haddock, battered and deep-fried to golden deliciousness, and served alongside a pile of freshly made chips—they’re much thicker than regular French fries and rectangular in shape. Traditional Chippers or Chippies (chip shops) are institutions in towns all across the U.K., and serve up a wide variety of deep fried bites—ranging from pizza to candy bars.
2.Meat Pies and Cornish Pasties
In the U.S., when someone mentions pie, most people conjure up images of Apple, Pecan and Key Lime deserts. But in the U.K., a pie is usually a savory main course. Commonly found at pubs and bake shops, British meat pies are commonly filled with beef and pork, but can also be stuffed with other meats. Favorites include steak & ale, steak & kidney and simple pork pies. Cornish Pasties are a similar meat pastry from Cornwall in the south west corner of England. They resemble empanadas and are usually stuffed with beef and vegetables.
3.Full English Fry Up
After a long night of pub crawling and pint chugging, there’s one dish that all Brits turn to to make their morning a bit more manageable: the full English fry up. This hearty breakfast feast packs in all of the major food groups. Although variations exist, the staples usually include back bacon (resembling ham more than American style “streaky bacon”), bangers (sausages), baked beans, sautéed mushrooms, fried or roasted tomatoes, fried eggs, and toast. This breakfast is best topped with tangy brown sauce—commonly HP brand—a ubiquitous staple in British food.
4.Haggis
Haggis is the national dish of Scotland, and any true Scot would no doubt defend its honor if challenged by a nonbeliever. Quite honestly, it’s understandable why many are skeptical of Haggis; after all, sheep offal (heart, liver and lungs) mixed with onion, suet (beef or mutton fat) and oatmeal, all stuffed into a sheep’s stomach does not seem appetizing. But when simply boiled or deep fried, and served with “neeps and tatties” (mashed parsnips and potatoes), haggis turns out to be a surprisingly enjoyable specialty. That being said, for amateurs, it’s best to eat it without thinking about what the dish is made up of.
Where to eat around here…
Curious as to where you can sample some of these crown jewels of British gastronomy?
Duke’s Grocery
1513 17th St NW
Washington, D.C.
20036
The Queen Vic
1206 H St NE
Washington, D.C.
20002
