Eating your way around the UK

I love food! That’s no secret.

As a food blogger, I always made it a point to try the local cuisine whenever I visit a new place and England was going to be no exception. Thanks to Chevening, I was able to not only learn inside the classroom, but also outside, diving into British culture. Here are ten British meals you must try during your time in the UK.

1. Fish and chips

This is actually the first British meal that I tried upon arriving in the UK. There was a dinner hosted by the student union of my university for all of the incoming international students and we were delighted to be able to taste one of the most recognised national dishes of the country.

2. Sunday roast

Another one of my favourites. It is a traditional main dish in England, consisting of Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, vegetables, gravy, and of course the roasted meat and potatoes. As the name implies, it is typically served on Sundays.

3. English breakfast

Probably one of my favourites! I had my first English breakfast back in the autumn semester and I absolutely loved it. My English breakfast consisted of two fried eggs, bacon, baked beans, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

4. Bread and butter pudding

 I had tried my first bread and butter pudding while on a Host UK visit. It was served with vanilla ice cream after I tried my first British casserole.

5. Mince pies

 I once read that Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas in the UK without mince pies and I couldn’t agree more. Sweet and savoury, mince pies are the perfect Christmas treats and they are an absolute must-try in the UK.

6. Afternoon tea

While afternoon tea is not a dish per se, it had to be on the list. I’ve mentioned having a lot of favourites, but afternoon tea tops it all. Defined as a tea-related ritual, afternoon tea is composed of scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries, cakes, small sandwiches, and of course tea. Afternoon tea nowadays can also be enjoyed with a glass of bubbly.

7. Welsh cakes

While in the UK, I had the chance to visit the city of Cardiff twice and discovered Welsh cakes for the first time. They are delicious and might remind you of the tastes of cookies, scones, and pancakes all in one. If you ever get the chance to visit Wales, I totally recommend indulging in some Welsh cakes—you won’t regret it.

8. Pies

Aside from mince pies, which are found only at Christmas time, you will be able to enjoy all sorts of pies during your stay in the UK. What I found interesting is that I have always associated pies with sweetness, but I have learned that pies can also be filled with lamb or mutton, carrots, onion, and topped with mashed potato. This delicacy is called a shepherd’s pie. Give it a go!

9. Haggis

Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish typically eaten on Burns Night. I had the opportunity to be in Scotland for that celebration, where I tasted haggis for the first time. It’s an acquired taste, but you know the saying: When in Scotland, eat as the Scottish do!

10. Crumble

Another sweet one to close the list. In addition to mince pies, crumble is another must-try, especially in the winter season. There is a diverse range of recipes for the crumble in the UK, but why not try the apple crumble with a scoop of ice-cream?

I hope you enjoy eating your way around the UK as much as I did!

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