If you are planning a trip to the UK you must try some of the traditional British dishes that the country is famous for. There is no better place to try and English breakfast than a greasy spoon on a central London alley, or fish and chips on the pebbles beach in Brighton.
Whilst there are many traditional British dishes, here are the top six you should try on your next visit to the UK.
Shepherd’s Pie
This is not a pie as you know it in the rest of the world. You’d be disappointed if you thought it was similar to an American pie. However, this traditional British dish will surprise you with flavour and richness. It has minced lamb cooked with vegetables and topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes.
This dish is said to have originated in the 1700s. Due to financial constraints, families combined available ingredients to ensure nothing was wasted. For this reason, you might find different variations of these ‘pie’ across the UK. However, an old-school British pub is the best place to enjoy an authentic Shepherd’s pie.
Fish and Chips
Fish and chips have been nicknamed the British national dish. And which better way to know why Brits are obsessed with this traditional dish than try it?
This meal is perfect for a quick takeaway or to sit and savour as you catch up with friends or family. It consists of fried fish with a golden beer batter, usually cod or haddock, accompanied by golden, crispy chips drenched in salt and malt vinegar.
You can grab fish and chips from any chippie in towns or on the British seaside towns and villages. The best ones are by the seafront, where you can grab the fish and chips in a box and enjoy on the beach. Be careful at seagulls, as they will steal your chips with the first occasion.
Full English Breakfast
We all know how important breakfast is, especially when you travel. It’s the best way to fuel up for a day of exploring.
And when in the UK you must give the English breakfast a try. A typical English breakfast includes eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, black pudding and toast, served with a cup of tea or coffee. Don’t worry, this is not a breakfast that is eaten every day in British households, but more like a treat for a weekend day, or a trip away in a family owned cute B&B.
Some ingredients of the Full English breakfast may change depending on the region. For instance, it may also contain hash browns. Full English breakfast is also called fry-up across the UK, full Irish breakfast in Ireland and full Scottish breakfast in Scotland.
Ploughman’s Lunch
I know you are wondering why the peculiar name for this dish. Don’t worry, some English dishes may have unusual names, but they are guaranteed to be delicious and worth trying. Ploughman’s lunch consists of bread, cheese, pickles, onions, chutney, and often a slice of ham or pork pie.
This meal is served cold and may be accompanied by an apple, green salad or boiled egg. Although this may not be the best meal for a chilly night, it is light and perfect for a quick lunch when exploring Devon or Cornwall.
Sunday Roast
So, is this traditional English dish eaten only on Sunday? No. You can enjoy this juicy meal any day. However, it’s traditionally served on Sunday afternoons. The name has a lot to do with its origin.
Usually, Brits would prepare this meal before going to church and leave it in the oven. On coming back, the meal would be ready. It was a great way to bring families together.
Sunday roast consists of roast meat (could be beef, chicken, or lamb), accompanied by crispy roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire pudding, and rich gravy. It also goes by other names such as Sunday lunch, full roast, roast dinner, and Sunday joint.
This dish can be found in restaurants across the UK, but old-school pubs serve the most authentic Sunday roast on Sunday afternoons. If you want to try the Sunday Roast on any other day than Sunday, you must go to a carvery, as pubs will only serve it on the last day of the week.
Whilst on it, why not go on the Lottoland website and try your luck at the next draw. You might not need to pay for the next Sunday Roast, and who knows, if you win, might even buy a little cottage in the countryside.
Eton Mess
What is dinner without dessert? That’s why we cannot end this list without mentioning the glorious Eton Mess. This traditional British dessert contains crushed meringue, whipped cream, and fresh berries, often strawberries. This dessert is a must-try after the Sunday roast.
Final Thoughts
No trip to the UK would be complete without trying some of the traditional British dishes.
While this article has highlighted six, there are more to try. So, why don’t you try some of these and share your experience below? I would also love to hear what other traditional British dishes caught your attention.
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