Not surprisingly, one of my first meals in London was traditional fish and chips. Beautiful deep-fried fish in the perfect crispy batter is hard to beat. I’m not a huge fan of fries, aka chips, but, covered in course salt and malt vinegar, I’m all in.
While the origin of fish and chips may be a little hazy, sources note that the dish has been around for over 150 years. BBC has an interesting article about the possible origins of fish and chips, but no matter how they came to be, it’s one of the UK’s (and Ireland’s) most famous foods.
If you’re in London, you may hear people refer to a “chippy,” which is a fish and chip shop. These are typically only a take-away location, but some will have limited seating. You may see the fish and chips wrapped in newspaper at chippy shops.
What Makes a Good Fish and Chips?
So, what sets apart a good fish and chips versus every other one out there? Three things: the fish, the potato, and the batter. Cod is the front runner for the fish, with haddock following not too far behind. When it comes to the chips, some people say waxy potatoes make for soggy, greasy chips while floury potatoes produce the best chips. The third component is the batter, which should light and airy. Some traditional shops rely on old-school methods of cooking with lard or drippings, while others use vegetable or corn oil.
Something else I learned the last time I was in London; a side of mushy peas is a classic accompaniment to fish and chips.
“Do you want any mushy peas with that?,” says the server.
“No, I think I’m fine,” I reply.
Cue the look of astonishment and awkward silence.
Sheepishly smiling, I say, “Uh, sure I’ll take a side of mushy peas as well.”
And all is right in the world again.
I’ve never had mushy peas with fish and chips, but in truth, I still consider myself pretty much a UK virgin. A couple short trips to London, Weston Super Mare for Banksy’s Dismaland, and a couple days in Edinburgh didn’t prepare me for the little nuances.
No one ever said fish and chips was the healthiest of meals, but it’s certainly worth eating at least one or two times when you’re in the UK!
Where to Get Fish and Chips in London
Not surprisingly, there are thousands of fish and chip shops throughout London. So far, I’ve only tried two:
Poppies Fish and Chips
6-8 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR, UK
+44 20 7247 0892
Vintage Salt
Selfridge’s, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB UK
+44 20 7318 3287
Where’s your favorite place for fish and chips? Any recommendations to share?
PIN IT!
