'Food in the UK is influenced by cuisine from all around the world. Many of the foods you eat at home will be available here, though it's a great opportunity to try local UK dishes as well.'
Home-from-home
You may think that it will be hard to find the foods you are used to when you are in the UK. This might be of particular concern if you have special needs because of your diet, culture or religion. If so, don't worry!
Halal, kosher, vegetarian and vegan food is widely available at supermarkets, food shops and restaurants. If you have a food allergy (to nuts, for example) or intolerance (to wheat, for instance), many shops and restaurants will be able to provide you with specialist alternatives. Most UK food packaging is clearly labelled too, so it's easy to see ingredients and nutrition information.
UK school, college or university canteens usually cater for all diets – but it is a good idea to check before making your plans.
In many towns and cities you will also find specialist shops dedicated to ingredients from a particular country or region, such as Asian supermarkets selling spices and regional specialities or Italian delicatessens providing fresh pasta and bread.
Markets, often found in the centre of towns and cities, can be great places to buy fresh ingredients, and can be cheaper than supermarkets. There is a rising trend for farmers' markets specialising in locally grown produce such as fruit and vegetables, meat and fish (these are often a bit more expensive).
Eating out - a feast of choice
The UK has an all-encompassing attitude to food: in fact, Indian curry is now the UK's most popular dish!
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland you'll find thousands of restaurants offering food from all corners of the world, including African, Asian, European, South American, vegetarian and fusion. With ground-breaking new restaurant concepts and world-class cookery schools, it's not surprising that the UK is at the forefront of global culinary innovation.
Eating out doesn't have to be expensive. Many cafes and restaurants offer discounts for students, sometimes on specific nights of the week. You'll often find the best value places to eat are away from the town or city centre, and some offer lower prices outside peak times.
Traditional UK dishes
You may think that it will be hard to find the foods you are used to when you are in the UK. This might be of particular concern if you have special needs because of your diet, culture or religion. If so, don't worry!
Halal, kosher, vegetarian and vegan food is widely available at supermarkets, food shops and restaurants. If you have a food allergy (to nuts, for example) or intolerance (to wheat, for instance), many shops and restaurants will be able to provide you with specialist alternatives. Most UK food packaging is clearly labelled too, so it's easy to see ingredients and nutrition information.
UK school, college or university canteens usually cater for all diets – but it is a good idea to check before making your plans.
In many towns and cities you will also find specialist shops dedicated to ingredients from a particular country or region, such as Asian supermarkets selling spices and regional specialities or Italian delicatessens providing fresh pasta and bread.
Markets, often found in the centre of towns and cities, can be great places to buy fresh ingredients, and can be cheaper than supermarkets. There is a rising trend for farmers' markets specialising in locally grown produce such as fruit and vegetables, meat and fish (these are often a bit more expensive).
Eating out - a feast of choice
The UK has an all-encompassing attitude to food: in fact, Indian curry is now the UK's most popular dish!
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland you'll find thousands of restaurants offering food from all corners of the world, including African, Asian, European, South American, vegetarian and fusion. With ground-breaking new restaurant concepts and world-class cookery schools, it's not surprising that the UK is at the forefront of global culinary innovation.
Eating out doesn't have to be expensive. Many cafes and restaurants offer discounts for students, sometimes on specific nights of the week. You'll often find the best value places to eat are away from the town or city centre, and some offer lower prices outside peak times.
Traditional UK dishes
The UK has several much-loved dishes that you will probably come across during your time in the UK.
Sunday lunch (sometimes called a Sunday roast): This traditional meal is usually served on a Sunday at lunchtime or in the late afternoon. It involves roast meat (such as beef, pork, chicken or lamb), roast potatoes and parsnips, vegetables, sauces and gravy. You may also be offered a Yorkshire pudding.
Fry-up (also known as a full English breakfast): A popular choice with students, a traditional fry-up is a hot meal served at breakfast time. There are variations around the UK but it usually includes some - or all! - of the following: eggs, bacon, sausages, toast (or fried bread), hash browns, tomatoes, baked beans, black pudding, mushrooms. You may find regional variations on the 'English breakfast' in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Cream tea: A favourite treat for the afternoon, cream teas are especially popular in Devon and Cornwall (where the cream is usually sourced). This meal (or snack) usually includes a pot of English tea served with milk, scones with clotted cream and jam. It may also include small savoury sandwiches, such as cucumber or smoked salmon.
Fish and chips: Extremely popular, especially when you visit a UK seaside town, traditional fish and chips are a family favourite across the UK. Battered white fish (usually cod, haddock or plaice) is served with chips and mushy peas, with salt and vinegar offered for extra taste.
Bangers and mash: A hearty and warming meal, consisting of sausages, mashed potato and gravy.
Want to know more?
You can find out more about culinary events across the UK by exploring our interactive calendar and get busy in the kitchen with the Education UK student recipes.
