London ditched their stereotypes and now has great food.
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Ditch the stereotype because London has incredible food

The capital of England was known for having bland and generally bad food in the 1980s and 1990s but that is no longer the case thanks in large part to immigration.

24
london food truck
Alex Kurtz

Stop me if you have heard this before: "London is known for terrible and bland food." Most people still believe this to be true, and if you would have visited the country in the 1980's or 1990's that statement would have been correct.

Since then, London has stepped up their food game significantly. Many different immigrants brought cuisine with them from their homeland and since turned one of the worst cities in the world for food into one of the best.

When I got to live in the city for 18 days thanks to my study abroad trip, I discovered that I could basically throw a dart at the map of the world and I could eat something from wherever it landed. It was not only diverse, but I got the chance to try a bunch of incredible food that I could not come close to getting where I live in the United States.

The best part though is that it will not break the bank either.

The current exchange rate is awful for people in the U.S. but if you knew where to look, you could eat on a budget. Street food is by far the best way to do so. It was affordable and by far the best food I had.

For example, the group went to Bletchley Park, which was the site for England's code breakers during the second World War. While there, we ran into this food truck that served burgers and wraps based off famous bandits of the world.

I got this wrap called the "Katsu Yakuza" that had panko-fried chicken, katsu mayo, Asian slaw, pickled daikon, sour cream and sweet chili sauce and I was blown away. It cost me six pounds, it was huge and it was no doubt the best food I had on the trip.

Indian cuisine is also huge over there. Since the British Empire controlled India for a long time, many different people moved their way over to the mainland over the years and brought their food with them.

In fact, one of our tour guides told us that there is so much Indian food in London that curry became the most served food in the city. I had curry twice during my stay; one was a lamb curry and the other was a red Thai coconut curry and both were incredible.

These were not my only steps into cuisine of the world though, as I had food from a different country almost every day of my trip abroad including Middle Eastern, Italian, Japanese and Egyptian. I did not have one bad thing anywhere I went.

If you plan on heading to London sometime soon, do not be afraid to sample all the food you can, because you will not be disappointed. And while you're at it, feel free to throw the London has terrible food stereotype straight into a rubbish bin.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

86576
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

52493
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments