Traveling is all about experiencing new places, cultures, and traditions, and one of the best ways to fully experience a country’s culture is by indulging in their local specialties. The United Kingdom is known for many things, especially their awe-inspiring attractions, but few have experienced the real goodness of the country’s local delicacies. There was a myth that circulated during World War II about how boring and bland the food here is. But this myth was due to the fact that the food back then was made up of rations. To disprove this, we have put together a guide to the best street food you must try in the United Kingdom.
1. Haggis
Haggis is a type of pudding with the liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep or other animal as the main ingredients. Its rich flavor comes from the minced beef, oatmeal, and several spices that are added and mixed to the sheep’s pluck. The seasoned mixture is then placed inside a sheep’s stomach and boiled in a pot for hours - the traditional way of cooking it. Today, many use an artificial casing and cook it in the microwave. It has a coarse texture and tastes similar to a crumbly sausage with a peppery flavor. This dish is of Scottish origin, and it is actually their national dish. It has a history that dates all the way back to the 15th century.
2. Salt beef sandwich
Corned beef has always been a crowd favorite. But in London, it is more popularly known as salt beef. It is made by brining beef brisket over a number of days. The salt then breaks down the cured meat, allowing the natural flavors to emerge. The finished product is stuffed inside a rye bread or a freshly baked bagel. Chopped dill pickle and mustard are added to complete the sandwich. Though salt beef is thought to have a Jewish origin, it has actually been around since the late 1400s, during the Tudor era.
3. Chorizo sausage
Chorizo is a tasty and savory sausage made of highly seasoned ground or chopped pork. Its flavor is enhanced by adding spices such as garlic and herbs and smoked paprika to give it a vibrant color. The cured mixture is then placed inside a natural casing that is made from intestines. In Europe, chorizo sausage is usually pre-cooked and can be eaten readily. This can be subjected to one or more of these processes: fermentation, curing, or smoking. It comes in two varieties: spicy or sweet. It is a very versatile sausage since it can be enjoyed as a filling for a sandwich, used as a topping for pizza, or eaten fried or grilled.
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4. Pork pie
A pork pie is a traditional British delicacy that is made up of three important parts: the pastry, the meat, and the jelly. The pastry is made by mixing hot water and melted lard into warm flour before being cooked in an oven. The dough is then shaped into a bowl where the seasoned pork pie filling will go. To complete the recipe, a gelatine mixture must go into a boiling pork stock and stirred until it is properly mixed together. When it is room temperature, it will be poured on top of the pork-stuffed dough. This dish can be eaten as a stand-alone snack or with a delectable salad.
5. Bagels
A bagel is a bread of Jewish origin that is traditionally shaped into a ring. It is made of simple ingredients like salt, water, high-gluten flour, malt, and yeast. Its dough is cooked by means of boiling in water for a short time and then baking it afterward. These two processes result in a dense and chewy interior, with its exterior being crisp and having a rich caramel color. Oftentimes, bagels are topped with poppy or sesame seeds baked on the outer crust. A good bagel should produce a slight cracking sound after a bite, instead of a whoosh. It tastes best when eaten warm.
6. Pulled pork sandwich
The pulled pork sandwich is one of Britain’s best. It is made of roasted pork shoulder that is usually cooked in an oven for three to four hours until it becomes tender. It is then shredded into pieces that will be used as a filling to assemble the sandwich later on. This dish wouldn’t be complete without toppings, and the best ones include one or more of the following: horseradish sauce, classic coleslaw, BBQ sauce, potato chips, melted cheese, and homemade pickles. It is best enjoyed when warm, with extra dipping sauce on the side.
7. Fish and chips
Fish and chips is a classic dish in England, and it can be found in many fish and chip shops across the UK. But if you want the best, you have to consider eating at the world-renowned Harry Ramsden’s fast-food chain. The most commonly used type of fish is cod, but it can also be haddock or pollock. The secret to a crispy and great-tasting battered fish is choosing the freshest fillet available in the market, seasoning it right, and cooking it properly. It is made tastier when dipped in condiments such as horseradish and caper sauce with bacon, ketchup, sriracha dip, malt vinegar, and dill mayo, among others.
8. Churros
Churros originated in Portugal and Spain but has been well-loved by many places across the globe, including the UK. Churros are eaten mostly at festivals and are freshly made at the stand. This fried dough is made of flour, salt, and water. Other versions use potato dough. It tastes like a cinnamon toast, and they also smell like cinnamon sugar since they are typically dusted with it. Unlike other pastries, they are still pretty palatable even when get soggy. Although they taste great on their own, they are best enjoyed when dipped in chocolate, cream cheese, or even ice cream.
9. Scotch egg
A scotch egg is made up of hard or soft boiled egg that is wrapped in sausage meat and coated with bread crumbs. It is then baked or deep-fried. The name was derived from “scotched egg” and was abbreviated later on for simplicity. Something that is scotched means that it is coated in breadcrumbs and then fried. This delicacy originated in Yorkshire during the late 1900s. It is commonly eaten cold, with salads and pickles on the side.
Indulge in the best street food in the UK
Food not only fills the stomach but also the heart. The United Kingdom is known for its many tourist attractions, but it also has a wide array of food choices. Indulge in these delicious goods that are readily available in the streets.
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