An American’s Guide To The U.K.: The Food Edition

I was originally going to include this as part of my previous post about the differences in American and British living, but there was honestly too much to include.  So, I figured, why not write an entire post dedicated to the differences in American food and British food?  Because let me tell you – there’s a lot.  If you’re an American moving to (or hell, just visiting) the U.K. – well, here you go:

• A lot of the differences are in the names of food here.  For example, zucchini is “courgette”; cilantro is “coriander”; eggplant is “aubergine”; arugula is “rocket”; dessert is “pudding”; fries are “chips”; and chips are “crisps”
• When something is served with “salad” on the side here, it’s basically just some lettuce or “rocket” on the side of the plate.  Sometimes dressed with oil, but most of the time not dressed at all.
• American bacon is “streaky” bacon, and not the GOOD kind of bacon, apparently.  British bacon is basically just thinly sliced and fried ham in my opinion.  Also, you need to cook it in oil so it doesn’t burn and stick to the pan.  I learned this the hard way after arguing with my husband because NO I’ve cooked bacon before and it creates it’s own grease which cooks it, which you then can cook a delicious fried egg in so clearly I’m right (I was not right).  Either way, both are delicious.

• The only American cheese you can get here are the individually plastic-wrapped processed slices 🙁
• You can’t get bagels here (I’m referring to GOOD bagels, like the kind you get in New York or New Jersey…yes, I know I am a snob).

• Tea is still the preferred drink of choice over coffee (for the most part)
• No, women don’t wear the funny hats (called “fascinators”) to afternoon tea.

• People love their prosecco here.
• Ale is NOT warm beer.  It’s a completely different drink.
• They don’t use the term “soda” here – its just “fizzy drinks”.
• If you’re an American looking for a good pizza here, you’ll be extremely disappointed.  No, Pizza Express does not count as good pizza.  Sorry.
• America has more “take-away” options than the U.K. – most take-away places are Chinese food, fish & chips, or curries.
• Fish & chips really are delicious – just be careful of which “chippy” you go to.
• British cheddar cheese is very oily when melted, so be wary when making grilled cheese (called “toasties” here)!
• Marmite – you either love it or you hate it.
• Brits love mushy peas.
• Toad in the hole is delicious.
• Sunday roast is a thing – there’s even a restaurant called Toby Carvery, which is an all-you-can-eat Sunday roast.  Spoiler alert – it’s amazing.
• Yorkshire pudding is not pudding – it’s baked batter typically eaten with Sunday roast.
• Unpopular opinion, but I think Yorkshire pudding is overrated.
• Lemonade is not the same thing in both countries – lemonade is citrus soda (like Sprite).  I was so confused when Steve asked me to order him a lemonade and the bartender handed me a Sprite…
• Yet, oddly enough, our version of lemonade is called “cloudy lemonade” LOL.
• Smoothie bowls aren’t a thing here (I don’t think)…well, maybe that’s just an American East Coast/West Coast thing…
• They have Taco Bells in the U.K. – hurrah!  Unfortunately, they’re not very good, and they don’t even have Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes!
• British people will legit put ANYTHING on bread.
• They will also serve fried bread as a breakfast side.
• Beans are a popular breakfast choice (or any meal choice, really).
• Beans on toast is also a favorite (proving my point above).
• Breakfast sandwiches aren’t as much of a thing here as they are in America.  And I always have to ask for cheese to be added to my bacon and egg sandwich – what is that???

• “Spag Bol” = Spaghetti Bolognese.
• Drink sizes (particularly in Starbucks) are NOT the same as in America – they are smaller here.
• The amount of sugar in things like soda and sweets is regulated.
• Yet sweets are a food group of their own here.
• Scotch eggs seem like a weird concept to me.  FYI, they’re hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage, coated in breadcrumbs, and then deep-fried.

• Cotton candy is candy floss (I know, makes no sense).
• Yogurt is not the same as “yoghurt” – my husband has no idea what the fuck “yogurt” is.
• Crumpets are basically thicker, fluffier English Muffins.
• I have been searching for months, and I have yet to find chocolate-covered pretzels ANYWHERE here.
• You can drink water from the tap here.

I’m going to wrap this up, because I think you guys get my point.  I will end this by saying – American bacon is the best bacon.  Full stop.  End of story.  Bye.

xx Lauren