Good British food... does it exists?

[MorganL4]

We have some of the finest food in the world.




If you're going to have Fish and Chips, London will let you down, you honestly need to go to a coastal town to get it done properly - Bridlington, Scarborough, fuck, even Skegness has a couple of good chippys.



As I say, London - It's not proper Britain. If you want what Americans think Britain is the Home counties are your best bet (google home counties).

Also, for proper historic shit (I know Americans love history, because you don't have any), then York is the best bet - It's got walls, York Minster, The Jorvik viking centre, It's in Yorkshire which automatically makes it better than all cities not in Yorkshire. And so on.

Well we are working on making some history ( give us credit) You had King George III the mad..... We had President George II the stupid...... We are catching up....

And the best fish and chips I ever had came from Oxford...... but that joint shut down about 10 years ago...

 

[Frungy]

As for the Cajun....ehhh. Virtually anything that is american can be broken down into its basic non-american parts. About the only thing that is ACTUALLY american are native americans, which are a minority now (less than 1%). It is kinda like the English language, technically it is merely a mashup of about a dozen other languages right? If you break it down to its individual components, it loses its uniqueness. Cajun was developed by french immigrants but it was developed for a specific reason in America. It was developed to mask the smell and taste of rotten meat (since Louisiana is so hot, humid, and kinda swampish getting fresh meat is hard to find and it doesnt last). If these people were not in that location and were not in that situation, would cajun food exist?

It wasnt "hey I have a great idea for a food" like say...adding flour to soup to make stew. Plus, while cajuns were originally French, they have created a unique identity for themselves not just with food, but culture and architexture as well (yes, it uses france as a base). Hell, technically the French or even the English draw upon older cultures/civilizations as well.

Even among Americans, Cajun is pretty unique.

Nice sense of history. I like it.

This is what I find a lot of people in the U.S. are missing, and possibly a big part of their disconnection with the rest of the world.

Language, food, sexual positions... someone's almost always done it (or something similar) before, but I don't see that as a problem, but rather as recapturing something that would otherwise have been forgotten and enjoying it today.

U.K. food is tremendously diverse, and while there are a lot of people around the world who "eat to live" I'd say that there are probably a lot more people in the U.K. who "live to eat". Last time I was visiting my cousins in the U.K. (... Irish families, I have cousins in virtually every country) I stayed with them for 3 nights, and we didn't eat food from the same continent once.

Captcha: I love lamp ... wtf?

 

[That PC Guy]

Frankly the U.S. has nothing to boast about in terms of cuisine itself, and a lot to apologise for. ... but getting an apology out of an American is like getting blood from a stone.

You know, you really should have simply stopped at your counterpoint, now I have all the reason I need to dismiss you as a racist who hates Americans. Good day.

Oh get over yourself. I have American friends, but their inability to apologise does sometimes drive me a bit crazy. Europeans will apologise as a reflex action, which can come across as quite insincere, while those from the U.S. just seem completely unable to do it at all, and that comes across as arrogant and prideful.

If you're so blinkered you can't see that some things in your culture might, conceivable, possibly, maybe, irritate others, then I hope you never leave your country, or you'll be experiencing a lot of Scottish handshakes and Glasgow kisses.

I also find it ironic that you feel free to criticise other cultures, but can't take a dose of the same medicine yourself.

I guess that's because the US is a nation run by lawyers. Apologizing is an admission of guilt and sueing the stuffing out of people because of butthurt a national sport.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

Well we have good curri...

Keba...

Pizz...

Fish and chips?

 

[Malty Milk Whistle]

I am eating some fine British cuisine right now. Namely: Pie'n'Chips.
It may not be fancy, but by god is it filling and luvvly jubbly.

 

[Malty Milk Whistle]

I am eating some fine British cuisine right now. Namely: Pie'n'Chips.
It may not be fancy, but by god is it filling and luvvly jubbly.

 

[Idlemessiah]

If you want good food in Britain, don't bother with London. Head north, to Yorkshire. Everyone will tell you the fish and chips are great, but you haven't been to a proper chippie until you've been to Whitby.

 

[KillaBC]

British food has to be the most diverse and rich substance in the world. Yes we have 'typical' cuisine like bangers and mash, fish and chips etc. However our couple of hundred years trip round the globe brought a lot back and during the 1960's when the colonists colonised Britain Asian food became staple takeaways.

You'll find Greek kebabs here because of bases in the Med like Cyprus and Malta. Indian Curry is a staple and one of Britain's favourite dishes and Chinese is popular because of our former holding in Hong Kong. That diversity spreads through the entire country and such why go anywhere else in the world when I could get any food I want on my doorstep. All at a good price.

Our proximity to Europe also means that there stuff is very prevalent too, more variety to the melting pot.

Though the North is where the real food is. Nottinghamshire is the best county, not that Yorkshire rubbish. Though Yorkshire Tea is the best cupa... in the world.

 

[Netrigan]

Well we have good curri...

Keba...

Pizz...

Fish and chips?

Looks like the Belgians were the first to deep fry potato strips, so WRONG.

I'll have to wash down my disappointment in your post with a nice cup of tea... what could be more English. Oh, wait, nevermind.

 

[Adeptus Aspartem]

As a non-brit only 3 things came into my mind. Deserts, roast beef (which i could eat truckloads of) and fish&chips.

And if you read asterix & obelix, you have to be into peppermint sauce, which comes with every meal

 

[Trivun]

Bread and butter pudding. It is what it says on the tin, plus various fruits (sultanas and such). Best served with custard xD. Also, the balti curry. NO IT IS NOT ASIAN. The balti was made by immigrants but invented here in the UK, in Birmingham (not too far from me!) and is actually protected by law (I think). It's acyually so famous that there's an area in Birmingham known internationally as the 'Balti Triangle', filled with resturants and curry houses that specialise in the balti. If you can get one in London then do so .

Spoiler: Pictures Ahoy!

 

[cahtush]

I don't know why you're all so down on British food; we made the tikka massala, the vindaloo, the sag aloo, a vast number of pies and pastries...

Food on the continent is, in contrast, fairly rubbish. I mean yes; you've got the exceptional French and Italian cuisine, but what else is there? German food is just fried potato, slow cooked pork and boiled cabbage. Tapas is revolting. The Dutch just eat chips and mayonaise, they may as well be Welsh, [f]and Scandi-Findi-Swedey-land just eat fish[/f]. Greek food is pretty good but I just say that because I love kebabs, to anyone else they are unspeakable.

You lot should have some God damned pride.

That's banned-on-airplanes-becouse-it-can-be-used-to-hijack-the-plane fish thank you very much!

 

[BaronUberstein]

I don't know why you're all so down on British food; we made the tikka massala, the vindaloo, the sag aloo, a vast number of pies and pastries...

Food on the continent is, in contrast, fairly rubbish. I mean yes; you've got the exceptional French and Italian cuisine, but what else is there? German food is just fried potato, slow cooked pork and boiled cabbage. Tapas is revolting. The Dutch just eat chips and mayonaise, they may as well be Welsh, and Scandi-Findi-Swedey-land just eat fish. Greek food is pretty good but I just say that because I love kebabs, to anyone else they are unspeakable.

You lot should have some God damned pride.

German food is delicious. Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, some mustard, and potato salad. That is a damn good meal. I've had a much better meal in German restaurants than in any fancy Italian restaurant. A robust, simple meal that doesn't waste time with fancy garnishes or lots of courses.

 

[Xarathox]

I hope you like chalk, stale bread, and bleach it's all we have over hear unfortuntley! to take the edge off the bleach it's worth jamming a finger into your eye at least your eye burning will distract you from the foul taste.

Also being british i wasn't aware of jokes about our food being bad this is new to me ^^ also staying in that hotel i would be surprised if the food wasn't good.

Ever seen the film Snatch?

"London?"

"London."

"London?"

"Yes, London. Bad food, worse weather, Mary fuckin' Poppins London."

That short scene summarizes The entire American perception of the UK, and the jokes therein.

 

[putowtin]

British food rocks, ignore all the lies and scoff some!

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

There's plenty of stuff that's British that isn't just edible but actually quite delicious. Most of the dishes I can think of are, however, somewhat time intensive and therefor not easy or cheap to come by when dining out.

Pretty much everything is quite expensive in London, though. That's just how it is.

Enter a bakery or other local small shops in the neighbourhood. Stay off the tourist tracks, if possible. Resist temptation of street food and omnipresent fast food offerings (except maybe some chosen samples for comparison with the crap sold at home, if so inclined). Expect the unexpected.

If you're into Indian food, you should check out Khan's, 13-15 Westbourne Grove, London W2 4UA - it's quite a bit away from your posh hotel, though. http://www.khansrestaurant.com/

What's closer is, say, Camden Town which is also worth a visit. Discover it on your own on a leisurely, majestic stroll of the tall man or use the power of Greyskull Google or some guide.

If you're into beer, http://www.ourblackheart.com/ - plus: home-made burgers.
If you're into fun underground deathtraps, I heartily recommend http://www.theunderworldcamden.co.uk/ - on the 6th, it's obviously Afghani folk music night: Bonecrusher Fest 2013 feat. Job For A Cowboy
Plus Beneath The Massacre + War From A Harlots Mouth + Gorod + As They Burn + Make Them Suffer.

There are splendid, tiny breakfast places around, look for those with lots of customers. If you're not queasy and nit-picking, go either for an 'everything' plate to get the full experience and caloric intake or just eliminate stuff you really, really can't imagine eating. I think a proper breakfast beats posh hotel breakfast with empty croissant calories most of the time.

An American that uses metric units. I am intrigued.

 

[Bertylicious]

I don't know why you're all so down on British food; we made the tikka massala, the vindaloo, the sag aloo, a vast number of pies and pastries...

Food on the continent is, in contrast, fairly rubbish. I mean yes; you've got the exceptional French and Italian cuisine, but what else is there? German food is just fried potato, slow cooked pork and boiled cabbage. Tapas is revolting. The Dutch just eat chips and mayonaise, they may as well be Welsh, and Scandi-Findi-Swedey-land just eat fish. Greek food is pretty good but I just say that because I love kebabs, to anyone else they are unspeakable.

You lot should have some God damned pride.

German food is delicious. Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, some mustard, and potato salad. That is a damn good meal. I've had a much better meal in German restaurants than in any fancy Italian restaurant. A robust, simple meal that doesn't waste time with fancy garnishes or lots of courses.

I'm sorry but sausage, boiled cabbage and spuds are not a vehicle to take my tongue to heaven and back. The Germans may have beaten the rest of Europe at money but they've got a long way to go before they win at food.

Also steins are just inconvenient.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

Also, OP, I'd recommend trying out Zizzi's restaurant if you immediately get sick of British dishes. Best food I have ever eaten. Italians really do know what they are doing. And it's relatively cheap given how good it is.

Well we have good curri...

Keba...

Pizz...

Fish and chips?

Looks like the Belgians were the first to deep fry potato strips, so WRONG.

I'll have to wash down my disappointment in your post with a nice cup of tea... what could be more English. Oh, wait, nevermind.

I wasn't trying to say we invented eating fish or making chips, but as a dish, Fish and chips is very British.

Curry, Kebab and Pizza on the other hand are all foreign dishes.

 

[Netrigan]

Also, OP, I'd recommend trying out Zizzi's restaurant if you immediately get sick of British dishes. Best food I have ever eaten. Italians really do know what they are doing. And it's relatively cheap given how good it is.

Well we have good curri...

Keba...

Pizz...

Fish and chips?

Looks like the Belgians were the first to deep fry potato strips, so WRONG.

I'll have to wash down my disappointment in your post with a nice cup of tea... what could be more English. Oh, wait, nevermind.

I wasn't trying to say we invented eating fish or making chips, but as a dish, Fish and chips is very British.

Curry, Kebab and Pizza on the other hand are all foreign dishes.

I'm still smarting from having my beloved Cajun food being libeled as French Cuisine. I'm spreading the pain.

 

[BaronUberstein]

I don't know why you're all so down on British food; we made the tikka massala, the vindaloo, the sag aloo, a vast number of pies and pastries...

Food on the continent is, in contrast, fairly rubbish. I mean yes; you've got the exceptional French and Italian cuisine, but what else is there? German food is just fried potato, slow cooked pork and boiled cabbage. Tapas is revolting. The Dutch just eat chips and mayonaise, they may as well be Welsh, and Scandi-Findi-Swedey-land just eat fish. Greek food is pretty good but I just say that because I love kebabs, to anyone else they are unspeakable.

You lot should have some God damned pride.

German food is delicious. Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, some mustard, and potato salad. That is a damn good meal. I've had a much better meal in German restaurants than in any fancy Italian restaurant. A robust, simple meal that doesn't waste time with fancy garnishes or lots of courses.

I'm sorry but sausage, boiled cabbage and spuds are not a vehicle to take my tongue to heaven and back. The Germans may have beaten the rest of Europe at money but they've got a long way to go before they win at food.

Also steins are just inconvenient.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Can't really argue with one's sense of taste.