Submitted by Emily Brymer on the 2016 summer session program in London, England sponsored by the Department of Art…
An integral part to London is its food culture, both in traditional English dishes and authentic international food. Finding food in the city is a journey, whether it’s going to an actual restaurant in a glamorous part of the city, a walk to the kebab place on the corner, or even the reminder that your Scottish smoked salmon isn’t a fancy import. Traditional English customs and dishes are especially embraced. Tea is a way of life in Britain, and there’s even a whole afternoon dedicated to tea time. However, tea is mostly served hot (iced tea is very hard to find, another cultural difference). The best food so far has been two traditional English dishes, fish and chips and steak and ale pie. Though the UK is widely considered to have the worst food in Europe, these two dishes are almost always perfectly cooked. I do understand why people say that statement. Some foods such as English breakfasts are strange; it usually includes baked beans (weird). International cuisine, however, is usually served more informally, such as in markets or by small businesses. A new experience for me was trying Thai food at the Pepper Tree restaurant with my classmates.