A key part of any culture is the food; tasting the traditional dishes of a country is all part of the experience of living abroad. While going out for meals is a treat during your homestay, London can be expensive and cooking at home with your host family is a fun way to get to know each other.
Food is something to be shared and is a great way to form new friendships. Why not treat your host family to one of these traditional British meals – there’s no better (or more delicious) way to get into British culture.
1.Bangers and Mash
This is a simple meal in which sausages and potatoes are the main attraction, known as “pub grub” at its finest. The creamy mash and meaty sausages are served with a rich gravy and peas. This is perfect for a midweek family dinner and is usually a crowd pleaser.
2. Steak and Kidney Pie
Pies are often associated with British cuisine; cold or hot, small or large, the UK loves a pie. This classic combination of steak, kidney, fried onion and gravy is definitely a must-try during your stay. For some real fun and bonding try making your own pastry from scratch – the end result will taste even better.
3. Full English Breakfast
Nothing says it’s the weekend like a full English breakfast. Your host family will be your biggest fans if you serve this up on a Saturday morning during your homestay. London is full of cafes offering this traditional weekend treat but making this at home is a lovely way to say ‘thank you’ to your hosts. Made up of a mixture of bacon, sausages, black pudding, eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns and toast, this is a real treat.
4. Sunday Roast
You can’t visit the UK without experiencing a traditional Sunday roast. This is a meal that brings the whole family together and gives you a chance to get to know your hosts extended family too. This hefty meal is made up of a roast meat (usually beef, pork, lamb or chicken) served with stuffing, Yorkshire puddings, vegetables such as peas, carrots, cauliflower, and of course crispy roast potatoes. Cover it all in gravy and everyone will be smiling. This meal is usually a weekly occurrence so you’re sure to have this during your homestay. London is also full of excellent pubs serving up the dish.
5. Toad in the Hole
Don’t worry, you won’t have to eat any toads to get a taste of real British culture. This strange sounding dish is actually a delicious combination of sausages cooked in Yorkshire pudding batter. It’s a simple one to make at home and is a comforting treat during the week. Normally it is served with vegetables and, you guessed it, gravy.
There is no better way to say thank you than by cooking up one of these traditional British meals during your homestay. London can be a bit lonely sometimes and coming home to a home-cooked meal is a lovely experience. So get cooking and experience an authentic taste of British culture!
Sophie Smith works as an independent consultant and offers advice to young people looking for London-based student accommodation, whether they prefer Halls of Residence or a private homestay. London has a wide range of options when it comes to student living, and Sophie’s expert tips and tricks never fail to put aspiring residents at ease. Her knowledge stems from her first-hand experience studying in the city and living on a budget, so she is more than qualified to support others doing the same.
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