Ask anyone from the UK what they miss most when they’re abroad, and chances are food will be high on the list.
British cuisine may not always get the global praise it deserves, but it’s packed with comforting classics and quirky favourites that are completely foreign to American menus. From savoury staples to sweet oddities, some of these dishes leave Americans baffled—and that’s part of the charm. These British foods are pretty rare to come across in the States unless someone’s got a secret expat kitchen running.
1. Beans on toast
It sounds like something you’d throw together in a student kitchen, but beans on toast is a national treasure in Britain. It’s simple: baked beans (the Heinz variety, not BBQ-style) spooned generously over slices of buttered toast—comfort food at its finest.
Americans tend to associate beans with chilli or BBQ dishes, so the idea of putting them on toast for breakfast or a light dinner feels bizarre. That’s especially true since their beans are usually made with molasses and are more sweet than savoury (like much of their food). But ask any Brit, and they’ll tell you—it’s warm, filling, and criminally underrated.
2. Black pudding
This blood sausage is a staple of the full English breakfast and has a deep, earthy flavour that’s nothing like your average breakfast meat. Made from pig’s blood, fat, and oatmeal, it’s not for the squeamish, but it’s beloved for its unique richness.
In the US, you’re unlikely to find black pudding at brunch, and even fewer people would willingly try something with “blood” in the name. But once you get past the ingredients, it’s actually incredibly flavourful and satisfying.
3. Scotch eggs
A picnic classic, Scotch eggs are hard or soft-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried or baked. They’re hearty, delicious, and often served cold with a dollop of mustard or brown sauce.
While America has its fair share of fried foods, the concept of wrapping an egg in meat is still a bit of a mystery. You might find an artisan version at a gastropub, but it’s far from a standard menu item stateside.
4. Marmite on toast
This divisive spread is made from yeast extract and has a salty, umami punch that Brits either love or hate. It’s most commonly spread thinly on buttered toast—and a little goes a long way.
Americans who mistake it for chocolate spread are in for a rude awakening. Marmite’s intense flavour is unlike anything in the US pantry, and while it confuses many newcomers, it’s an everyday staple for plenty of Brits.
5. Chip butty
Obviously, the humble chip butty is exactly what it sounds like—a sandwich filled with hot, fluffy chips (the British kind, not crisps) and often a bit of butter or ketchup. It’s carb-on-carb in the best possible way.
In America, fries usually play sidekick to a burger, not the main act in a sandwich. The idea of stuffing chips between bread might seem excessive, but in the UK, it’s the ultimate indulgent treat after a night out or a rainy afternoon pick-me-up.
6. Spotted dick
Despite the giggles the name gets from non-Brits, spotted dick is a classic suet pudding studded with dried fruit (the “spots”) and usually served with custard. It’s dense, sweet, and incredibly comforting.
In the US, the combination of suet, raisins, and custard is completely foreign—let alone the name. Most Americans wouldn’t know what to make of it, but for Brits, it’s a warm dessert that tastes like childhood Sundays.
7. Toad in the hole
No amphibians involved here, just sausages baked into a Yorkshire pudding batter, served with gravy. It’s hearty, filling, and a comfort food staple in many households across the UK.
The name alone throws Americans off, and Yorkshire pudding itself isn’t widely understood across the pond. To them, it’s neither a pudding nor sweet, so the whole concept feels puzzling—until they taste it, that is.
8. Bubble and squeak
This leftover-friendly dish is made by frying up mashed potatoes with cabbage and any other vegetables you’ve got from a Sunday roast. The name comes from the sound it makes while cooking, which is just about as British as it gets.
In the US, leftovers usually get reheated as-is or tossed into a hash, but bubble and squeak is its own proud dish. It’s a thrifty, tasty way to avoid waste—and something that rarely, if ever, appears on American breakfast menus.
9. Sausage rolls
Golden, flaky pastry wrapped around seasoned sausage meat—sausage rolls are practically a national obsession. You’ll find them in bakeries, petrol stations, and at every festive gathering across Britain, and thank goodness for that.
While Americans have pigs in blankets, it’s just not the same. Sausage rolls are a whole different level, and the concept hasn’t quite caught on in the US, where they’re still seen as something fancy or niche, not everyday snack food.
10. Jellied eels
One of the more divisive items on this list, jellied eels hail from the East End of London and are exactly what they sound like—eels cooked and set in savoury jelly. It’s a historic dish that’s fallen out of favour even with some of us Brits.
There’s no American equivalent, and most wouldn’t even consider trying it. But for those who grew up with it or love traditional British fare, it’s a nostalgic dish that’s part of culinary heritage, odd as it may seem.
11. Bangers and mash
This hearty dish—sausages served with mashed potatoes and lashings of onion gravy—is a pub menu staple in the UK. It’s warming, filling, and endlessly comforting, especially on a cold night.
Americans might love sausages and mashed potatoes separately, but they rarely pair them together in such a satisfying way. And let’s be honest—the word “bangers” alone is enough to raise eyebrows across the Atlantic.
12. Pork pies
Traditional pork pies are made with seasoned pork encased in hot water crust pastry, served cold and often with a slab of cheese or a bit of pickle. They’re a lunchtime favourite or picnic classic in Britain.
Cold meat pie might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and in the US, it’s practically unheard of. The texture, the jelly around the meat, the crust—it’s all a bit much for the average American palate, but beloved by Brits all the same.
13. Custard creams and digestives
While technically not full meals, these beloved biscuits deserve a mention. Custard creams are vanilla-filled sandwich biscuits, and digestives are humble, slightly sweet biscuits perfect with a cup of tea.
In America, the biscuit aisle leans more toward cookies and Oreos. The simple joy of dunking a digestive in tea or having a custard cream as an afternoon pick-me-up is something Americans don’t quite understand—but once they try it, they usually get it.
