Londra Turu Food & Drink

Traditional British cuisine lacks variety when compared to the cuisines of many other nations, which perhaps partially accounts for the rich variety of restaurants, offering menus from all corners of the world, which are found in most towns and especially the larger cities.

Of these restaurants, the most commonly seen serve Indian, Italian, Chinese and French food. So popular is Indian food in the UK that it has been suggested that the Indian Curry is the new national dish.

Restaurants serving traditional British food can of course still be found, however, you are as likely to find traditional meals, usually along with some international favourites, on a pub menu.

The staples of traditional British food are roast meats, potatoes and boiled vegetables and this is typified by the traditional Sunday Lunch. This meal consists of roasted beef or chicken and is served with potatoes, either roasted with the meat in the oven or boiled, along with a selection of boiled vegetables, usually including carrots. A Yorkshire Pudding is also usually served as part of the meal. Yorkshire Pudding is made from a batter of flour, eggs and milk and is cooked in the oven. It is eaten as part of the main meal is not a dessert. The whole meal will usually be served with a rich gravy.

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Another traditional favourite is fish and chips. Often available on restaurant menus, this food is more usually eaten as a take away meal from fish and chip shops which are widespread. This meal consists of fish, usually cod or haddock, coated in batter and deep fried. The meal is served with chips and peas are a traditional accompaniment. Most fish and chop shops also sell a range of other foods, including burgers, kebabs or chinese food.

The traditional English breakfast is often served in hotels and is also available from cafes, often throughout the day - the so called all day breakfast. The meal typically consists of fried or scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, occasionally baked beans and fried bread. This is quite a large meal and time consuming to prepare so is rarely a day to day meal for the English at breakfast time. The British usually make do with breakfast cereal, fruit juice or toast and coffee. Be aware that both bacon and sausage will contain pork and may well be fried together in the same pan as the non pork items.

Another traditional item, often seen on pub and restaurant menus, are savoury pies and pasties. There are two main forms of pie. One form consists of a pastry container which can hold a variety of meat or non-meat fillings. Popular fillings are meat, meat and potato and cheese and onion. The famous Cornish Pasty has a distinctive semi circular shape and contains a tasty meat - possibly pork - and vegetable mixture. Pies and pasties are often eaten on their own as a snack or served with vegetables and potatoes as a meal. The second form of pie does not have a pastry container and is typified by the Shepherds pie and fish pie. These pies consist of a filling, minced meat in the case of the Shepherds pie and a creamy fish mixture for a fish pie, topped off with mashed potato.

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There are a couple of traditional desserts worth looking out for. Fruit Crumble consists of a sweet fruit base, usually apple, with a sweet crumbly pastry topping and is usually served with custard. Bread and butter pudding consists of bread and raisins soaked in a milk and egg mixture and baked in the oven, again usually served with custard.

The national drink of England is said to be tea and a wide variety of teas can often be purchased in restaurants and cafes. Tea is usually drunk sweet and with milk in the UK so be sure to ask for it without if this is your preference. Afternoon Tea is served at some establishments between 3:00pm and 5:00pm. Afternoon Tea consists of thin sandwiches, often with a cucumber or salmon filling, followed by a scone topped with jam and cream served with tea. Coffee is also a popular drink. Coffee shops can be found on most high streets and generally serve a rich variety of freshly ground coffees.

For alcoholic drinks you will need to visit a pub or bar. Pubs, often described as the heart of British social life, are widespread throughout the UK and range in style from the contemporary through to traditional. A large number of pubs serve food, coffee and tea alongside alcoholic and soft drinks and the atmosphere is generally informal. Most pubs serve a range of beers, including both light lagers and dark bitters and stouts. Wine is also usually available along with a range of spirits. Pub opening hours are restricted with most opening at lunch time and closing at 11:00pm, often later at weekends when they are at their busiest. A large number of pubs have non smoking areas and many in rural areas offer outside seating.

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