Culinary differences between England and the United States

Culinary differences between the UK and the United States

National dishes

Fast food and restaurant culture

Portion sizes

Terminology

Both countries love their toast, they usually eat it with butter or jam, but sometimes Americans will eat it with Peanut butter and jelly where as the British will often eat it with beans or marmite!

What's for Breakfast?

Cereal, toast, coffee... All of these are common for breakfast in both countries. But both countries have their own traditional breakfasts. Click here to see the differences.

Full English Breakfast VS American Breakfast

Want to know what they are?

Hashbrowns

Marmite

Black pudding

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Get to know the National Dishes

When people think of American foods and dishes, they usually think of Hamburgers, french fries, and hot dogs, however these foods and dishes are in fact European despite many people's beliefs. That does not mean that America doesn't have it's own famous dishes though, here are just a few of them:

England is often targetted for it's abnormal cuisine and strange combination of flavours. But despite it's bad reputation, England has it's own fair share of famous dishes. Here are some of the most celebrated:

Fast food and Restaurant Culture

Difference in the restaurant industry

Tipping culture

Portion Size

Terminology

Biscuits/Cookies

Crisps/Chips

Chips/Fries

Pudding/Dessert

Yorkshire Pudding

Believe it or not, Yorkshire pudding isn’t a dessert—it’s a savory British side dish made from a simple batter of eggs, flour, and milk, baked until golden and puffed. Traditionally served with roast beef and gravy, it’s a staple of the classic British Sunday roast. It's also famously used in "toad in the hole" a classic British dish that consists of sausages in yorkshire pudding batter.

Fun Fact:

Despite their name, French fries actually originated in Belgium, not France! Legend says that Belgian villagers were frying small fish, and when the river froze in winter, they sliced potatoes instead — creating the first fries. American soldiers in World War I tasted them and, because the locals spoke French, they called them “French fries”!

Buffalo Wings

Buffalo wings are a popular American snack, particularly in sports bars, featuring crispy chicken wings coated in a spicy, tangy sauce made from hot sauce and butter. Often served with celery and blue cheese or ranch dressing, they are a go-to dish for casual gatherings especially when watching a sports match on the TV with friends.

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is a hearty British dish made with minced lamb cooked in a rich gravy, topped with mashed potatoes, and baked until golden. Originally a way to use up leftovers, it has become a comfort food classic in the UK and beyond

"Doggy Bags"

In some American restaurants, the portion sizes are so big that it's normal to take leftovers home in a "doggy bag" , something that's less common in the UK, where finishing your plate is more typical. So in the US, your dinner might also be tomorrow’s lunch!

Large Vs Moderate Portion sizes

In the United States, portion sizes are generally larger than in the United Kingdom. This applies to everything from fast food meals to restaurant dishes and even snacks or drinks (like sodas or coffee). In contrast, in the UK, portions tend to be smaller and more moderate, both in restaurants and at home. This difference often surprises British visitors in the US, where a "regular" size can feel like a "large" to them.

Another fun fact:

The word "cookie" comes from the Dutch word "koekje," which means "little cake". Dutch settlers brought the word, and the treat, to America in the 1600s. That’s why Americans say “cookie,” while the British usually say “biscuit”, even though they’re talking about the same thing!

American Breakfast

Full English Breakfast

UK breakfasts are mainly salty, including sausages, eggs, bacon, mushrooms, beans, toast, tomatoes and sometimes black pudding. US breakfasts are usually a mix of sweet and salty, keeping the bacon, eggs and toast from the UK breakfast whilst sometime adding hashbrowns as well as pancakes, usually topped with butter or maple syrup.

Are biscuits and cookies the same?

Biscuits in the UK are sweet, crunchy snacks often enjoyed with a cup of tea, and they come in many varieties like Digestives, Jammie Dodgers, and Hobnobs. Americans have a similar treat, but they call them cookies. In America, what they call biscuits are actually more like soft, buttery bread rolls. So while a British biscuit is a sweet snack, an American biscuit is more of a savory side dish. Both countries have their famous brands, McVitie’s and Fox’s in the UK, and Chips Ahoy! and Oreo in the US.

Mac n Cheese

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food in the U.S., featuring macaroni pasta smothered in creamy cheese sauce, often baked to create a golden, crispy top. It's a popular side dish at family meals, barbecues, and holidays

Difference in restaurants

In the US, restaurants and fast food chains are everywhere, with big names like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Taco Bell found in almost every town. They also have the greatest variety of fast food chains of any country, including chains like Applebeas, In n Out, and Waffle House just to name a few. American diners, are also a unique part of the culture, with their retro look and their classic American menu. In contrast, the UK is better known for its traditional fish and chip shops, classic pubs serving hearty meals and large pints, and a wide variety of restaurants influenced by different cultures, especially Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cuisine. While both countries love eating out, the US focuses more on big chains and fast service, whereas the UK has a stronger pub culture and more independent eateries.

Hashbrowns, or Hash browns, are a popular American breakfast food which consists of mixing long thin strips of potato together with onions flour and eggs, and then frying them until golden brown and crispy

The Barbecue

American BBQs are a beloved tradition, especially in the South, where slow-cooked meats like ribs, pulled pork, and brisket are smoked over wood or charcoal. They are often served with a variety of tangy sauces and sides like coleslaw, cornbread, and baked beans, making BBQs a central part of social gatherings and celebrations.

What's for pudding?

In the UK, the word pudding is often used to mean any kind of dessert, whether it's cake, pie, or something creamy. Traditional British puddings include Sticky Toffee Pudding, Spotted Dick, and Treacle Sponge. In the US, however, pudding usually refers to a sweet, creamy dessert similar to custard, often chocolate or vanilla flavored. Americans use the word dessert to talk about the sweet course at the end of a meal. So while a British person might say “What’s for pudding?”, an American would ask “What’s for dessert?”. The US have many desserts but what they consider to be their national dessert is Apple Pie, which was actually first created in England.

Haggis

Let’s head up north now to Scotland, where haggis is a beloved national dish made from minced sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with oats, suet, and spices, then cooked inside a sheep’s stomach. Though its ingredients may seem unusual, it’s a flavorful and hearty meal, traditionally served with turnips and potatoes. Much like it's nation's inhabitants, it's grotesque appearence hides within a delighful character.

Tipping

In the US, tipping is almost mandatory, usually 15-20% of the bill, because waiters have a low base salary and depend on tips. In the UK, tipping is less common, usually around 10%, and some restaurants already include a service charge in the bill. Unlike in the US, British customers aren’t always expected to leave a tip.

Black Pudding is a national food from the UK often eaten for breakfast. It's a blood sausage made from pork or beef blood and fat, mixed with cereal and herbes.

Chips or Fries? What's the difference?

Chips are thick-cut strips of potato, usually deep-fried and served hot, often with salt and vinegar or alongside fish. In the UK, they're a classic part of the traditional "fish and chips" meal. Americans eat them too, but they call them fries. In the US, fries are often thinner and served with ketchup, especially in fast food restaurants. Popular styles in the UK include chunky chips and curly chips, while in the US, you'll find everything from shoestring fries to waffle fries at chains like McDonald's, Five Guys, and In-N-Out.

Marmite is a British savoury food spread, based on yeast extract, and often used at breakfast time on a slice of bread or toast. It's sticky, brown, salty, and has a particular but powerful flavour

The Chips in the US

Crisps are a thin crispy snack made from potatoes seasoned with all sorts of flavours ranging from salt, to Barbeque sauce. Americans have them also excpet they call them potato chips. Both countries have their own famous brands, in the UK, popular crisp brands like Walkers, Monster Munch and Hula Hoops are household names, while in the US, Lay's, Doritos, and Cheetos are it's most renowned brands.

Spaggeti and meatballs

Believe it or not, spaghetti and meatballs isn’t Italian—it’s an Italian-American creation that became popular in the U.S. among immigrant communities. This hearty dish features pasta topped with savory meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, making it a beloved comfort food in American cuisine.

Fish n Chips

Fish and chips is a classic British dish featuring crispy, beer-battered fish served with thick-cut fries, traditionally wrapped in newspaper. A staple of seaside towns and pubs, it has been a beloved part of British cuisine since the 19th century, and has arguably become the nations most famous dish.