Popular UK Dishes That Expats Must Try

Expats moving to the UK have a great opportunity to explore new opportunities that weren’t previously available in their home country. This doesn’t just mean seeking a new job role or building up your finances, but also experiencing an unfamiliar culture that is different in every part of the country. You can literally go up the road and experience something new, keeping everything completely unique. This extends to food too with the UK having a cuisine that is tricky to match anywhere else.

In this guide, we will advise expats on the most popular dishes that they need to try during their visit or long-term stay in the UK. Continue reading to learn more.

Must-Try UK Dishes

Fish and Chips

You can visit a seaside UK destination without trying fish and chips. It became a British tradition because it provided a cheap, high-energy meal for the working class during the Industrial Revolution, as well as the rise of North Sea trawl fishing and railways. Nowadays, it’s maintained its popularity and is especially delicious in towns located next to the sea, as they’ll have the freshest caught cod and haddock. Deep-fried chipped potatoes are found in many popular UK dishes, as they’re an easy go-to option for carbs. They gained popularity in northern industrial towns around the same mid-19th-century period, so they have a lot of history.

While traditional destinations like Whitby have amazing fish and chips, the reigning champion for the best fish and chips in the UK is The Scrap Box in York, which won Takeaway of the Year.

Sunday Roast

The tradition of having a roast dinner every Sunday grew during the 18th-century Industrial Revolution and earlier periods, becoming a post-church or day-of-rest feast. In today’s world, it’s now enjoyed by homeowners all over the country, as they enjoy a mix of slow-cooked meat, crispy roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, rich gravy and the famous Yorkshire puddings. This combination makes for a delicious dish that will fill you for an entire day.

You can choose your own types of meats for this, with beef, lamb and chicken being very popular options. Gammon is also a great option and can be selected in many carveries around the country.

Chicken Tikka Masala

I know what you are thinking, Chicken Tikka Masala isn’t a UK dish. But, what if I told you that it actually is British. Chicken tikka masala was invented in Glasgow, Scotland in the 1970s. It was credited to Ali Ahmed Aslam (known as Mr. Ali), a Pakistani-born chef that had been living in the UK for a few decades and rightfully earned his British Citizenship. This dish is made up of roasted chunks of marinated chicken in a warm, spiced tomato and cream curry sauce. It is a national favourite found in pubs and curry houses across the country.

The dish was invented after a customer complained that traditional roasted chicken tikka was too dry. Mr. Ali improvised a quick sauce using yoghurt, spices and a tin of condensed tomato soup to create this one-of-a-kind meal.

Scotch Egg

The Scotch Egg was invented in London around 1738, where they were invented as an easy-to-eat meal for wealthy travelers on long carriage rides. The hard boiled egg is wrapped in sausage with a breadcrumb coating, giving those who eat it an almost full meal that they can have without needing a plate or fork. They remain an essential element of British picnics, outdoor gatherings and finger-food party platters.

You can find fancy versions of the scotch egg in restaurants across the UK, giving a higher budget option that tastes fantastic.

Toad in the Hole

The dish started in the 18th century as a clever way for families to stretch small or expensive portions of meat using cheap flour, eggs and milk. Sausages became the standard choice in the 20th century due to low cost and great flavour with the name of it only adding to the dishes fascination. It is usually served piping hot with rich onion gravy, mashed potatoes and seasonal green vegetables, making it the ultimate British comfort food for cold weather.

For expats coming to the UK, a toad in the hole is definitely a dish worth trying. Even if you don’t like it, just saying that you’ve tried it can go a long way in fitting in with the culture.

Full English Breakfast

The full English breakfast started in the 13th century with the landed gentry, who served lavish spreads to display their wealth and hospitality. Since then, it has transformed into a dish that is enjoyed by everyone in the country, giving them a hearty meal to carry them through the morning. It includes fried eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, toast and black pudding, if you fancy it, giving you a plate filled with many delicacies that differ in flavours and texture.

If you want to fully embrace the full English breakfast, make sure to prepare some toast and put everything on a sandwich to bite into. This will make you fully immersed in British food culture.