British food has been stereotyped as bland and uninspiring, usually by Americans.
Of course, we know that some of the tastiest (and most comforting) dishes come from unlikely combinations. While they make perfect, delicious sense to anyone who grew up in the UK, these pairings often leave Americans confused, disgusted, or just plain baffled. Whether it’s a matter of taste or just cultural differences, these are some of the most classic UK food combos that tend to confuse our friends across the pond.
1. Chips and curry sauce
Americans love their fries with ketchup, mayo, or maybe cheese, but the idea of pouring hot curry sauce over them? That’s where they start looking confused. In the UK, especially in the north, thick-cut chips smothered in curry sauce is a takeaway staple.
It’s a perfect mix—crispy chips soaking up a mildly spiced, slightly sweet curry sauce that somehow works better than any other chip topping. To Brits, it’s comfort food at its best, but to Americans, it just sounds like a soggy mess.
2. Cheese and pickle sandwiches
The problem here is that Americans hear “pickle” and think of sliced gherkins, which would be an odd pairing with cheese. But over here, this obviously means Branston pickle—that tangy, chunky chutney packed with vinegar, spices, and crunchy veg that we all know and love. (I could just eat one now!)
The sharpness of the cheese combined with the rich, slightly sweet pickle makes for a perfect balance of flavours. It’s a British classic, but to Americans, it’s an unappetising mix of ingredients they wouldn’t normally put together.
3. Beans on toast
Nothing divides British and American food opinions more than beans on toast. For us, it’s a quick, satisfying meal, but Americans can’t seem to get past the fact that it’s just beans… on toast.
They expect baked beans to come with barbecue dishes or as a side at a cookout, not ladled onto toast for breakfast or a light meal. But with buttery toast underneath and a sprinkle of cheese on top, it’s a staple that Brits swear by. Then again, their beans are chock full of weird ingredients like sugar and molasses, so the taste isn’t quite the same. No wonder they think it’s weird! Give ’em a can of Heinz or Branston’s (latter’s my personal fav) and they might change their tune.
4. Chip butties
Americans love a good sandwich, but a sandwich made entirely of chips and buttered bread? That’s where they get confused. The chip butty is a simple but glorious carb overload that just makes sense in the UK.
Fluffy white bread, thick chips, plenty of butter, and sometimes a splash of ketchup or vinegar—it’s pure comfort. But for Americans, it’s hard to understand why anyone would put potato inside bread instead of using an actual filling.
5. Pork pies with pickle
Pork pies on their own already confuse Americans, thanks to the cold, jelly-filled meat encased in pastry. But adding a dollop of Branston pickle on the side? That’s where they really struggle. (And no, this isn’t an ad for Branston — it’s just really that good!)
The contrast of the rich, savoury pie with the tangy, crunchy pickle is exactly what makes it work. But to Americans, the idea of combining a cold pie with a vinegary relish just seems bizarre.
6. Sausage rolls with brown sauce
Americans are all for sausage wrapped in pastry—just look at their love for pigs in blankets. But the idea of dipping a sausage roll into a bit of HP throws them off completely.
To Brits, it’s a classic pairing. The rich, flaky pastry and seasoned sausage filling go perfectly with the tangy, slightly spicy brown sauce. But since Americans don’t really have an equivalent to brown sauce, they have no idea what they’re missing, and they tend to think it’s a bit weird.
7. Mushy peas with fish and chips
Fish and chips? They get it. Mushy peas on the side? That’s where the confusion starts. Americans aren’t used to seeing a pile of mashed-up green peas served alongside fried fish.
To us, though, it’s tradition. The slightly sweet, creamy texture of mushy peas balances out the saltiness of the fish and chips, making it the perfect companion. But to anyone from the US, it just looks like baby food next to a plate of fried goodness.
8. Wensleydale cheese with fruitcake
Cheese with crackers? Sure. Cheese with fruit? Maybe. But a thick slice of Wensleydale on top of a rich, spiced fruitcake? That’s where Americans draw the line.
It’s a festive tradition in parts of the UK, especially in Yorkshire, and the salty, crumbly cheese balances the sweetness of the cake perfectly. But for Americans, the idea of putting cheese on cake just seems completely unnecessary.
9. Scrambled eggs on toast with ketchup
Americans have no issue with eggs and toast, but the moment you add ketchup to the mix, they start questioning everything. While they’ll happily drown their hash browns in it, the idea of ketchup with scrambled eggs is a bit too much.
For us, it just works. The tangy sweetness of the ketchup pairs well with the creaminess of the eggs, adding a bit of extra flavour. What’s not to love? Unfortunately, to Americans, it just seems wrong to mix the two. They don’t know what they’re missing!
10. Bovril on toast
While Americans are still trying to wrap their heads around Marmite, Bovril is a whole new level of confusion. The thick, beefy spread is packed with umami flavour, and for those who love it, it’s the ultimate savoury toast topping.
To them, the idea of spreading something that tastes like liquid beef stock onto toast is just bizarre. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but for many Brits, it’s a winter staple.
11. Mince pies with brandy butter
Americans expect pie to be filled with fruit or custard, so the idea of a spiced, mincemeat-filled pastry already confuses them. However, adding a rich, boozy brandy butter on top just makes it even stranger.
For us, it’s a Christmas essential. The cold, creamy brandy butter melts into the warm mince pie, creating a perfect mix of textures and flavours. On the other hand, Americans aren’t quite sure why butter is being treated like a dessert.
12. Salad cream instead of mayonnaise
Most Americans expect mayonnaise in their sandwiches, but swap it out for salad cream, and they’re completely thrown off. The tangier, slightly runnier condiment isn’t something they’re used to seeing outside the UK.
For us, salad cream adds a sharper, more flavourful kick to sandwiches, potato salads, and even chips. But to Americans, it just seems like a weird, thin version of mayo that doesn’t quite belong anywhere.
