There’s more to the UK’s cuisine other than the iconic fish and chips. In fact, the country has a diverse selection of dishes ranging from savoury comfort food to original local delicacies. From the heart of London to the highlands of Scotland, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste each region’s long list of delicious meals and desserts. Make your holiday break more memorable by tasting all the best and most unique food experiences in the United Kingdom!

The Most UK Unique Dishes You Have To Try

There are tons of amazing dishes all across the United Kingdom. Starting from the city of London, you’ll have easy access to the classics such as fish and chips and South Asian takeaways. As you venture out to the countryside, you’ll be able to sample pastries, puddings, and creamy desserts. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can always go out to its neighbouring counties to taste its regional delicacies. Whether you’re a curious visitor or an avid food, here are some of the best foods that you have to try on your next visit to the UK:

1. Fish and Chips, London

TFish and Chips
“Fish and Chips”, by Matthias Meckel, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

It’s not a trip to the UK without trying the nation’s primary staple – fish and chips. Often considered the country’s national dish, this simple recipe consists of fried battered fish and thick-cut chips garnished with parsley and a squeeze of lemon. There are plenty of fish and chip shops, also known as “chippy,” across the United Kingdom offering this delicious meal wrapped in old newspapers or greaseproof papers. If you’re craving for the best quality, it’s recommended to try fish and chips in seaside towns and cities where locals have easy access to fresh seafood.

While the origin of fish and chips is unknown, many experts agree that it most likely came from Britain’s immigrant cultures. The recipe is incredibly old and has been referenced in many classic tales, even in Charles Dickens’s “A Tale of Two Cities.” You can buy fish and chips at any location in the UK with some destinations putting their own twist to the dish!

2. Chicken Tikka Masala, Manchester

Chicken Tikka Masala
“Chicken Tikka Masala”, by Kelly Sue, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Another British staple that may surprise you is chicken tikka masala. Similar to Indian buttered chicken, this recipe has boneless chicken marinated in yoghurt, tomatoes, and a variety of spices. The finished dish has a creamy orange sauce and savoury chunks of meat served over white basmati rice. If you’re wondering where it gets its signature colour – it’s all thanks to a dash of turmeric and paprika.

There are plenty of debates regarding the origin of this South Asian dish, including its true nationality and whether it’s from Bangladesh, Pakistan, or the Punjab region. Nevertheless, most people will agree that chicken tikka masala is incredibly delicious, cementing itself as a proper English comfort food. If you’re craving this creamy dish, you can order it as a takeaway along the Curry Mile in Manchester!

3. Yorkshire Pudding, Yorkshire

Yorkshire Pudding
“Yorkshire Pudding”, by IReallyLikeYorhshirePuddding, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

One of the UK’s most versatile dishes is the Yorkshire pudding from the county of Yorkshire in Northern England. From appetisers to desserts, you can pair this pudding with any type of meal and occasion. Yorkshire puddings can be served with onion gravy as part of the first course or with roast beef and gravy for the traditional Sunday roast. For dessert, the puddings can be paired with sweet raspberry sauce.

Yorkshire puddings are easy to make – you only need eggs, flour, water or milk. After mixing the batter, you’ll need to pour the batter into a preheated baking pan with beef dripping or lard. After baking, the mixture will rise and create a big round muffin-like food. Another alternative when baking is to put sausages in the centre so that you’ll have the English call “toad in the hole”!

4. Eton Mess, Berkshire

Eton Mess
“Eton Mess”, by Acabashi, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you have a sweet tooth, then you’ll surely love Eton mess from Eton College in Berkshire. The dessert is believed to have originated in the 1930s when it was regularly served during the annual cricket match between Eton and Harrow School. Based on the original recipe, the Eton mess class for ice cream is topped with bananas or strawberries. However, the current serving has substituted ice cream for meringue and whipped cream. You can also top this dessert with berries and raspberry sauce.

The dessert gets its name from its “messy” look and is undeniably delicious especially when eaten on a hot summer day. If you don’t have strawberries available, any summer fruit will do. The best part about this dessert is that you don’t have to go to school in Eton in order to taste it!

5. Jellied Eel, London

Jellied Eel
“Jellied Eel”, by Secretlondon, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

When it comes to unique food experiences, London doesn’t disappoint with jellied eels. Due to the abundance of eels in the River Thames towards the East End of London, locals took it upon themselves to create this peculiar dish as a household staple. After catching the eels, they were chopped into small portions, boiled in stock, and left to cool and set in jelly form. Locals recommend pairing jellied eels with pie and mash, another Cockney classic consisting of mashed potatoes and minced beef pie smothered in parsley sauce.

Jellied eel was extremely popular during the 18th century, but is now considered more of a local delicacy. Nowadays, there are only several eel, pie, and mash houses across London that still serve the original recipe. If you’re looking to try out some jellied eel during your holiday, don’t forget to check out M. Manze in the Bermondsey district of London!

6. Arbroath Smokie, Scotland

Arbroath Smokie
“Arbroath Smokie”, by Anne Burgess, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Arbroath smokie is one of Scotland’s most famous delicacies, believed to have originated from the fishing village of Auchmitie in Angus. Unlike smoked meat, the smokie is made of salted haddock which has been smoked for at least an hour. According to local legends, the Arbroath smokie was discovered after a store caught fire and left behind barrels of haddock. However, experts believe that the delicacy most likely originated from its Scandinavian neighbours who had multiple smoking methods in their cuisine.

You can eat the Arbroath smokie by itself – this way, you’ll be able to taste the deep smoky and salty flavours of the fish meat. Another popular way of eating smokies is adding them to pastas, salads, or pates. The Arbroath smokie also tastes best when used in traditional Scottish Cullen Skink which is a hearty soup that primarily uses smoked haddock!

7. Stargazy Pie, Cornwall

Stargazy Pie
“Stargazy Pie”, by Krista, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

If you’re a fan of unique delicacies, then you’ll love Cornwall’s infamous stargazy pie. This Cornish recipe requires baked pilchards or sardines with eggs and potatoes covered with pastry crust. What makes this dish unique is that the pilchard heads remain intact and are arranged to poke out of the crust’s edges. This technique makes it look like the fish is “gazing up at the sky” hence the name. Although the dish looks peculiar to tourists, it’s an amazing Cornish meal that will definitely make you feel at home.

The stargazy pie’s story is just as interesting as it looks. It first originated in the village of Mousehole in Cornwall and is the main dish of the annual festival, Tom Bawcock’s Eve, held every December 23rd. According to local folklore, the pie is a means to celebrate Bawcock’s bravery in catching fish during a stormy night for the entire village!

8. Haggis, Scotland

Haggis
“Haggis”, by Chris Brown, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Compared to the other dishes on this list, haggis may not sound as appetising to the average holidaymaker. However, tasting this Scottish dish is a one-of-a-kind experience that you can’t miss out on, especially if you’re visiting the United Kingdom for the first time. Considered Scotland’s national dish, the recipe calls for sheep’s lungs, liver, and heart, mixed with onion, oatmeal, suet, stock, and spices. Locals blend the ingredients together to create a savoury pudding which is then stuffed into the sheep’s stomach.

Haggis is usually paired with turnips and potatoes and is commonly eaten as the main course of a “Burns supper” – a national event held in honour of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. While haggis doesn’t look that inviting to the eye, adventurous eaters describe the taste as nutty and savoury. Locals will recommend pairing it with Scotch whisky to wash down the flavours!

Final Thoughts

The best way to experience a country’s culture is through its food – and the same thing can be said for the United Kingdom. One quick look at its diverse cuisine and you’ll see that its recipes are made up of simple ingredients, practical cooking methods, and a whole lot of comforting flavours. When visiting the UK for the first time, it’s best to start with fish and chips from your local chippy for lunch and then a plate of chicken tikka masala later at dinner. For dessert, you can always have a sweet scoop of Eton mess or a handful serving of Yorkshire pudding with its signature raspberry sauce. And if you consider yourself a dedicated food, why not try out all the local delicacies from Scotland?

Featured Image: “Stargazy Pie”, by Krista, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

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