We have a unique relationship with food, and it shows in some of our more, shall we say, “distinctive” dishes. Whether they’re cherished comfort foods or acquired tastes, these 20 British culinary creations often leave the rest of the world scratching their heads.
1. Marmite
You either love it or hate it—there’s no in-between. This salty, sticky spread made from yeast extract is a British breakfast staple, but to outsiders, it’s more of a challenge than a treat.
2. Black Pudding
A sausage made from pork blood and fat mixed with oatmeal? Sounds perfectly normal to us, but it’s definitely not something you’ll find on many breakfast tables outside the UK.
3. Haggis
Scotland’s national dish, haggis, is a savoury pudding made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, all encased in the animal’s stomach. It’s rich, flavourful, and utterly bewildering to most non-Brits.
4. Spotted Dick
A traditional steamed suet pudding dotted with dried fruit, Spotted Dick is as delicious as it is oddly named. Foreigners might chuckle at the name, but it’s a classic comfort food here.
5. Jellied Eels
This East End delicacy consists of chopped eels boiled in a spiced stock and left to set into a jelly. It’s a bit of an acquired taste, to say the least.
6. Beans on Toast
For Brits, it’s a quick, comforting meal. For everyone else, it’s just baked beans on bread—hardly gourmet, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
7. Stargazy Pie
This Cornish pie features whole pilchards baked into a crust, with their heads poking through the top, gazing at the stars. It’s as much a work of art as it is a meal, though it does raise a few eyebrows.
8. Tripe
Cow’s stomach lining, known as tripe, is traditionally served in a white sauce or fried. It’s a dish that’s fallen out of favour even in Britain, but when served, it’s sure to baffle anyone not in the know.
9. Pork Pie
A British picnic isn’t complete without a pork pie—a dense combination of seasoned pork encased in a thick, jelly-lined pastry crust. It’s hearty, filling, and very much an acquired taste.
10. Bread and Butter Pudding
A dessert made from leftover bread, butter, raisins, and custard sounds like it should be thrown together in a pinch, but bread and butter pudding is a beloved classic. Outsiders, though, might wonder why we’re eating soggy bread.
11. Laverbread
This Welsh delicacy is made from boiled seaweed, which is then pureed and often fried with oats. It’s nutrient-rich and beloved in Wales, but to others, it might seem a bit too much like eating the ocean.
12. Bubble and Squeak
Made from leftover potatoes and vegetables, Bubble and Squeak is a fried mash-up often served with breakfast. It’s a bit of a mystery to those unfamiliar with the joys of using up every last scrap.
13. Chicken Tikka Masala
Often touted as “Britain’s true national dish,” this creamy curry is said to have been invented in the UK. While it’s a beloved staple here, many non-Brits might find it surprising that it’s as British as fish and chips.
14. Potted Shrimp
Tiny brown shrimps are cooked in butter, seasoned, and then potted in a dish where they set into a savoury spread. It’s delicious on toast, but it might look a bit too much like something from the pantry of a 19th-century ship.
15. Pease Pudding
This North East England dish is a boiled pudding made from split yellow peas. It’s usually served with ham or bacon, and while it’s comforting to some, it’s just confusing to others.
16. Rumbledethumps
A traditional Scottish dish, rumbledethumps is a mix of mashed potatoes, cabbage, and onions baked with cheese. It’s hearty and delicious, but the name alone might make you do a double-take.
17. Cornish Pasty
This meat-filled pastry is a national treasure, but the idea of a pie that’s meant to be held in your hand, eaten on the go, and filled with everything from beef to swede might seem odd to some.
18. Scotch Eggs
A boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried—Scotch eggs are a pub classic. But to the uninitiated, they’re a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster of a snack.
19. Kippers
Smoked herring, often served for breakfast, kippers are rich, oily, and intensely flavoured. While they’re a traditional treat here, they can be a bit much for those used to milder morning fare.
20. Eccles Cake
A flaky pastry filled with currants and sugar, the Eccles cake is a sweet treat with a long history. It’s undeniably tasty, but for those unfamiliar with it, it might just look like a very confused tart.
Eat Up
Sure, British food might seem mad to the rest of the world, but to us, it’s all part of the charm. These dishes are more than just meals—they’re a slice of our history, our culture, and our quirky, wonderful way of life.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Davis Dorss.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.