How is the Food in the UK? A Guide for International Students
There are many great reasons to study in the UK, one being that it’s a very diverse country. Most major cities in the UK feature a wide range of multicultural cuisine, meaning you can usually find ingredients and dishes from home with ease. That said, the UK is also known for having its own distinct cuisine. When you choose to study in the UK, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste its dishes for yourself.
Below, we guide you through everything you need to know about food in the UK, including traditional UK dishes and where to find international cuisine.
Traditional UK food dishes
Whilst you’re in the UK, you might like to try some traditional UK dishes, even if they’re a bit different to what you’re used to eating back home! Let’s take a look at five of the region’s most famous dishes.
Fish and chips
One of the most iconic dishes you can eat in the UK is fish and chips. The fish is often battered or crumbed, but you can opt for grilled fish as a healthier option. Fried chips are golden and crunchy on the outside, with buttery soft potato on the inside.
You can enjoy fish and chips at a pub or from a fish and chip shop (sometimes known among locals as a chippy). For a truly authentic experience, we recommend visiting a seaside town to enjoy your fish and chips by the ocean. This list of the best fish and chips in the UK is a great starting point.
Shepherd’s pie
Another classic UK food dish is shepherd’s pie. This hearty pie is filled with minced meat (usually beef or lamb) and vegetables and topped with mashed potato. Another perfect dish to warm you up on a cold night!
Cornish pasty
Visit your local bakery to pick up a Cornish pasty – a golden, flaky shortcrust pastry containing beef and vegetables. Although the traditional version contains meat, vegetarian pasties are also a tasty option.
Scones
For afternoon tea, you simply can’t go past a scone - a delicious baked good traditionally made with flour, butter, sugar and milk. Scones can be eaten warm or cold and are best enjoyed with jam and clotted cream, as well as a cup of tea, of course!
Sticky toffee pudding
Warm, gooey and super sweet, sticky toffee pudding is one of the UK’s most famous desserts. A sponge cake made with chopped dates, covered in a toffee sauce and served with vanilla custard or ice cream, sticky toffee pudding is the ultimate comfort food.
Where to find international food in the UK
There are plenty of places to find international food and ingredients in the UK, including supermarkets, online retailers and restaurants, so you’ll still be able to cook and eat the food you know and love.
Supermarkets
The major supermarket chains in the UK – such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, ASDA and Morrisons – generally have international food sections. Here, you can pick up a range of ingredients and ready-made meals from around the world.
You’ll also find specialty supermarkets, such as Asian and Middle Eastern shops, in many neighbourhoods. These smaller shops also offer a great range of groceries and ingredients - you might even meet someone from your home country whilst you’re shopping.
Online retailers
If you can’t find the ingredients you’re looking for in a supermarket, there are plenty of online retail options. Spices of India is the UK’s premier online shop for Indian food, spices, ingredients and cookware. Similarly, Ecklee specialises in Arabic and Middle Eastern food, Raya stocks Southeast Asian groceries and MyFooDen offers a variety of European and Eastern groceries.
Restaurants
All of the UK’s capital cities have entire neighbourhoods or streets known for offering international cuisines.
In England, London’s Chinatown district is home to over 60 different East Asian restaurants and Southall is known for its Punjabi, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and South Indian restaurants. Spitalfields is also well-known for its large Bangladeshi community, with Brick Lane housing many restaurants.
There’s no shortage of international restaurants in Scotland either. In Edinburgh, you can enjoy international cuisine from Europe, Asia and Africa right across the city.
In Wales, the districts of Canton, Pontcanna and Riverside in the capital city of Cardiff have several restaurants serving cuisines from various nationalities.
In Northern Ireland, the capital of Belfast boasts a great selection of international restaurants and takeaway outlets. Botanic Avenue is particularly well-known as a diverse food precinct, featuring venues like BaoBun Botanic (authentic Taiwanese street food), Madame Pho (Vietnamese food), and Umi Falafel (Lebanese food).
Discover more about food in the UK
Want to explore more of the UK’s food and drink scene? Consult any of the resources below to get a better idea of what you can expect:
Author: Sarah Pearce
