I have been in England for about two and a half weeks now and I am already able to say that I have experienced QUITE a difference in English food and delicacies. To be honest it’s hard to even decide where to start when describing their food as opposed to the states. It might be easier for me to list my discoveries and inform you (our lovely readers) the wonders of eating in the UK.
- FISH AND CHIPS. Ah yes, the stereotypical staple of the British diet. Fish and chips shops can be found on every street corner in every city all over England (at least of what I’ve seen so far). Prices can be from 4 pounds at your local shop to 12 pounds at a restaurant in London. I was going to get some from London for the first time, but aint nobody got money for that. Anyways all the locals say it really isn’t anything special. Some fried fish, french fries, and a side of mushy peas (ew). Moral of the story: I will be buying some locally very soon.
- English breakfast. Sausage, bacon (really just sliced ham), runny eggs, beans, and perhaps some kind of bread. Not exactly my cup of tea, but it is quite the classic over here.
- TEA!!! Nobody was exaggerating when they said the British love their tea. And I mean REALLY love their tea. Everything revolves around “teatime”. There is even an aisle in the supermarket dedicated to it. I have even joined a “tea drinking society”. Yes this is serious.
- Mushrooms. The UK is pretty into their fungus. It likes to be found on many sandwiches and is considered to be breakfast food. My first day in England I ordered a “breakfast sandwich” which was one slice of bread with some mushrooms and cheese on top. Weird.
- DRY sandwiches. I’ve noticed that any sandwich you buy is pretty plain. No sauces or juicy things included. Just dry and scratchy-down-your-throat bread and one other ingredient. It’s like college kids making food with no ingredients because they’re broke. Except it’s expensive.
- Brown sauce & Mayo. If sauces are provided, you can expect to find these two condiments gracing your table. The first time I was introduced to this mysterious “brown sauce” my waiter was shocked (I repeat SHOCKED) that I had never consumed it before. It’s kinda like barbecue sauce, but more vinegary. I tend to shy away from these two and stick with ketchup. I really miss ranch and honey mustard.
- Cadbury. The God of all chocolates here. We have Cadbury chocolate eggs during Easter but that’s usually it. Here EVERYTHING is Cadbury. No Hershey’s in sight. But let me tell you this, England knows it’s sweets. They just call it all by funny names.
- Cakes & Biscuits. The essentials to teatime. I recently got into a long discussion of the very important legal matter of how to decide whether or not a product is a cake or a biscuit (i.e. cookie). Apparently when cakes go stale they go hard, when biscuits go stale they go soft. Again, teatime is a very serious matter.
- Nandos. THE chain of chains in the UK. Often referred to as getting a “cheeky Nandos”. I’m looking forward to trying some Friday.
Things the UK is lacking: Cheetos, Taco Bell (there are only two in the whole of England), ranch (again this is very upsetting), sweet tea, gallon sized milk, Captain Crunch, Trader Joes, and SO much more.
They also don’t put their eggs in the refrigerated section, which is just weird.
And “Lays potato chips” are “Walkers crisps”. Like what is this nonsense? Everything is backwards in this country.
That’s enough for now. Have an amazing day!
x Lindsey
Fantastic article!