What Do the British Eat?

Professional Online Publishing: New Media Trends, Communication Skills, Online Marketingwrote an interesting post today on Here’s a quick excerpt Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed I am definitely ready to head over to the UK and eat. All of the food tips being sent in are making us want to travel! Puddings and

Chris Pirillowrote an interesting post today on Here’s a quick excerpt Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed I am definitely ready to head over to the UK and eat. All of the food tips being sent in are making us want to travel! Puddings and

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Chris,

A few errors in the posting…

Jams and Marmalades: er no, most people do *not* make their own preserves. Seems to be a bit of a dying art these days.

Bangers and Mash: not the most popular dish, that claim to fame would go for Chicken Tikki (curry)(!)

Bubble & Squeak: Last time I had this was when my mum cooked it once in the 1970’s… I can’t even remember seeing prepared versions in the freezer department last time I was grocery shopping in the UK

Fish & Chips: never heard of huss.. hake yes, huss no

Yorkshire Puddling… this is usually a side served with a main course of beef and to a much lesser extent turkey

Sunday Roast… not as popular these days as it once was

I’ve yet to meet one person who makes their own jam or marmalade. I think that kind of thing is done by the rural elderly/youth. And it is more often served on toast as part of a breakfast, than anything else. Although I will admit I’m partial to a cheese and jam sandwich. Yum.

Yorkshire puddings are rarely served in the ‘traditional’ way unless they’re a microwaveable meal. More often than not, they’re cooked in the oven from frozen to go with a joint of beef for the Sunday Roast (look up Aunt Bessie’s for the favourite). And the thought of it being used with jam/ice cream is actually making me feel like I want to vomit.

The whole ‘Carvery’ thing refers to a stand in a restaurant where you go along (much like a buffet stand, actually), but the meat is cut for you. Not very popular anymore, since a lot of people like ‘cuisine’ rather than a roast. And even more people don’t eat together anymore.

And more often than not, you won’t be having anything homecooked. You’ll be eating either a microwaveable meal, or a take-away, depending on how full your wallet is. We’re in the grip of ‘ready meal mania’, because we just don’t have the time to cook our food because we’re constantly on the go, (ie the most overworked nation in Europe) and don’t have the luxury.

You’ve looked at the stereotypical image of the UK, Chris, which is to be expected. After all, we see the US as take-away haven, where every other street has a McDonalds, Burger King or other fast-food restaurant. Many have other, less pleasant opinions. You missed a few that I was rather disappointed about. Toad in the Hole, Admiral/Ocean Pie, Shepherds/Cottage Pie, Corned Beef Hash to name a few. But here’s something that’ll go against it all:

The most popular dish in the UK is the Curry. Not sure if it’s Chicken Tikka Masala, or Chicken Korma. I know, it came from the Far East, but it’s the nations favourite meal.

EDIT: The reason Brussels are constantly part of the meal is because they were very easy to grow way back when, took up very little space, and left the ground perfect for potatoes the following year (which add nutrients to the soil). And I think the bad leaves could be fed to almost all farm animals, unlike some which are poisonous to some, but not to others.

Yeah, I made the comment before watching the video. My connection is slow as. Sorry.

I think you have been misled in a number of areas by the person who sent in this list

I would send in a Top 10 (Too many good ones to make a top 5) British Dishes it would be:

1) Fish & Chips
2) Sunday Roast (Yorkshire Pudding included)
3) Full English Breakfast
4) Bangers & Mash
5) Shephards Pie
6) Corned Beef Hash
7) Lancashire Hot Pot
8) Chicken Tikka Masala
9) Toad In The Hole
10) Cornish Pasty

The Sunday Roast This is the cornerstone of the British empire! Often eaten as a whole family (including aunts, uncles and other close relatives), it’s also know as a “Carvery”.

Call me an old-fashioned English pedant, but a carvery does not necessarily apply to a Sunday roast.

It’s like a buffet, where there is a choice of meats, vegetables and sauces. You go to the meat counter, and ask the butcher for a particular type of meat (say, breast of chicken). He will carve that for you, serve it on a plate, and then you can put on whatever you want, such as vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, et al.

Well, I am 100% British and the only one of those I have ever had in years is the Yorkshire pudding and the Sunday Roast. Which basically the whole country easts – so it doesn’t count!

Ben

These are some good tips, however, they’re not the best of the British food. There is one food, which was missed out, which was Cornish Pasty. Which is meat, vegetables wrapped in a pastry. It is probably one of the best British food you can get. I actually think the best food you can actually get, is UK food. Maybe that is just because I am British, but I certainly prefer it over American food on some aspects.
My Nana does make her own Marmalade, and I agree, I think it is made with the elderly as I have yet to see younger people making it, however, I am sure that younger people do.

Here is what I think the UK most popular food is

1. Prawn Mayonnaise Sandwich
2. Fish’n'Chips
3. Chicken Tikka
4. Cornish Pasty
5. Full English Breakfast (Baked Beans, Sausage, Bacon, Fried toast, Black pudding, White Pudding, tomatoes & eggs)
6. Pot Noodles (fast food noodles where you just add hot water)

It killed off the nickname for someone called Richard. Here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_Dick

Do not forget:

-faggots (meatballs wrapped in a casing of intestine)
-spotted dick (sponge pudding with sultanas and raisins)

Being English, I’d have to disagree with the role of the Yorkshire Pudding. My mother, from the Yorkshire Dales, raised me on Yorkshire Puds, and my wife (from Rotherham S Yorkshire) is carrying on the tradition.

As well as tasting excellent with traditional roast dinner, they go with stews, casseroles, ‘Lancashire Hotpot’ etc. They’re perfect for ‘mopping up’ the plate both during and at the end of the dinner :-)

Another favourite that’s left off the list is ‘Steak and Kidney Pie’, and of course – Apple Pie. After all, there’s literally hundreds of breeds of apples here to choose from, each with their own particular taste. It’s not just the USA that bakes them ;-)

I don’t know whether the US has rhubarb there, we have it here and that’s also excellent in a pie, crumble or just stewed with custard poured over it.

All these are ‘traditional’ English food, more so than the ‘Chicken Tika’. That’s not traditional, it’s an ‘average’ national favourite.

Bangers and mash quite often has onions as well. As a UK man I`ve never heard of Yorkshire pudding being served with jam or ice-cream as a dessert but I`m willing to be corrected! Jam-making has definitely seen better days, although I well remember my mother slaving over an enormous pan (one designed for the job) and adding goodness knows how much sugar to the mix.

Nobody mentioned tea I don’t think. And then there’s all those things that go with it (visit bakeries or tea rooms) ie Scones (like ‘biscuits’ though over there cookies are called biscuits)

Dairy products are really good–the milk and cream tastes better over there. Must be something to do with cattle eating green grass all year round.

can you not get fish and chips in America you must be able to….

he makes us sound like right arse holes lol. its true we eat the same, McDonalds, subways and pizza huts to name a few, a full english breakfast is probs the best, as well as fish n chips

Our chips or “fries” Are thinker than yours

“THINKER” than yours …..

idrovethepb,sorry ive had a bit of a bad week!

Pronounced place

Chris,
Looks like you are getting some good tips in the comments – I have to agree that the info you had looks like it came out of a 50’s handbook about the UK.

Couple of things to note:

Not all fish and chips is equal – you can get some dire “chippies” and some very good ones. Personal recommendation is suggested. Also is the context you eat your fish and chips – out of paper, at the seaside, with plenty of salt & vinegar is advisable for the full experience.

Yorkshire puds are fantastic – and as some have said, the popular way to eat them is with roast beef (and all the trimmings) for a Sunday lunch. I’ve heard you can eat them as a dessert but have never seen anyone do this!

Personal fave of mine is steak and kidney pie (or pudding). Can be eaten instead of the fish in fish and chips. Again, standards vary.

You also might want to try and buy Jaffa Cakes – kind of like chocolate biscuits (although they are technically cakes – there is a well documented legal argument as to whether they are cakes or not) with an orangey bit in the middle.They are fantastic. Warning! Make sure to get McVities Jaffa Cakes (and full size ones at that).

As a general rule – we have a very comsopolitan eating culture these days and if you don’t want to eat anything particularly british, you can find great continental, africa, middle eastern and asian food in London/UK. Even US!!! :-)

It’s true Jams & Preserves are not as popular as they were, but Pickle, Piccalilli and Chutney are still all eaten in my house, as are Pickled Onions & Pickled Eggs.

Other great british staples to head for are Steak & Kidney Pudding, Steak & Ale Pie, Toad in the Hole and the all round winner (for me) a Bacon or Sausage or Fish Finger Sandwich.Yum! :)

If you find a nice Tearoom, go for a cream tea (fresh scone, clotted cream & jam), it’s a delight

Sorry to disappoint Chris, but the quaint marmalade knitting fantasy disappeared many years before you were born – look forward to Starbucks and McDonalds – fat people and bad diets – an Indian curry is more typical than sausage an mash – bring plenty of Peets coffee with you (and some for me please) – whatever which way , have a great trip and I am happy to buy you a real beer anytime – Tony

None of this really seems unuasual to my, even though I’m in the US east. They pudding and thing with fried mash photatoas though, is slightly unfimmillur to me.

yeah a proper fry up in the morning :)

Full English in the morning, Roast Dinner @ weekends, Curry / Kebab on a Friday night and Fish & Chips ;) lol Thats coming from a Brit too.

Sprouts are a winter thing There hard to find in a supermarket during other seasons

Oh Christ, the minute I heard Frasier I died inside. DO NOT watch Frasier to get some insight into British culture – otherwise very funny show. Wasn’t Anthony LaPaglia supposed to come from Birmingham? That was painful.

Hey people, this is James i know there are some things in therethat you dont agree with, but the list is taken from a traditional stand point, and i know alot of suburban dont tend to grow jams anymore but where i live in a more country side area alot of people do, so i was taking it from that stand point.
Also i know that alot of you say there are other foods and so and so, but if you fill that way, why make your own list, im sure chris would love to know your faults on English food

Chris, they left our a few great dishes.

mixed grill: kidneys, kippers (fish) and bacon, all broiled and served for breakfast, sometimes with toast and eggs if you are very lucky.

Beans and toast: nuff said (common folk only)(I love it)

Cheese and onion pie (Heaven in a crust.

Anything from a chinese chip shop.

and Drink some Dandelion and Burdock soda (England’s version of Root Beer) and go to a Pub and have a Shandy.

deep fryed mars bars or ice cream

he forgot to mention the Full English breakfast!! bacon,sausage,eggs,toast etc. (depends how much you want on ur english breakfast)
i never heard of bubble n squeak tho :S it might be a scottish thing…

people dont realise that Britain isnt just england! britain consists of England, Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland. The food does vary from country to country

if ur going to try british food, have a sunday roast! :D

Leave English Food Alone!

English Food is the BEST Food ever
There is NO “Top 5″ english dishes as everyone would have a different opinion

one of the main point of english food is that it was made to make the most of what ever was available at the time and make it last, hence Bubble and Squeak Using what ever was left from the the Previous nights meal.

Jams and preserves were so Good fruit didnt go to waste and so on.

And At the end of the Day Food is Food you either love it or you hate it either way you have to eat something.

Stuzilla.

the best fish batter is larger batter! one bottle of larger into flour and seasoning with eggs is the best batter! sundy roast is to die for!

i also would like to mention that london is the food capital of the world! we have more varity than anyone in the world! from ethiopian to american steak houses!

Yorkshire pudding!!

chips and gravy

Orange Marmalade is awesome.

chips cheese and gravy(only up north), deep fried mars bar, spotted dick

It’s great to be British. I agree with gav101gav, who can forget the full English breakfast <33.

I live in wales and I don’t really have all those foods he mentioned. I just tend to have a normal meal, one that isn’t very traditional, like waffle and scrambled egg lol – except at Christmas :).

I would never eat that shit of british food. Do u call it food? It s just crap.
You are the only people in the world eating shit everyday.

UK & EU has real cheese unlike the rest of the world i.e USA and they have that sliced plastic stuf that is horrid. Why would you eat it? its shiny and orange.

tea is amazing drink and battered sausage and chips lovely

i dont no what this dude is talking about sept fish and chips i dont no anyone who eats the stuff he says

shepherds pie hmmmmm!

Oi you brits! The original post said: What do the British eat?

This is what they eat:

-Sandwich – The undisputed cornerstone of British cuisine. Preferrably cold and oiled in fatty dressings to compensate its tasteless ingredients.

The americans, who are just uneducated britons gone mental while exterminating the indians, converted the sandwich into a burger and made it bigger, fatter and faster, the holy trinity of anything pure and 100% american.

“What do the British eat?”

Food.

Who would’ve thought.