What's on the Menu? 30 English Food Names for Everyday Use

The English language is rich with culinary terms that have become part of everyday conversation. From breakfast to dinner, there are countless food names that have made their way into the English lexicon. Here are 30 English food names that you might come across in your daily life.

1. Bacon and Eggs

Bacon and eggs is a classic English breakfast dish. It's a hearty meal that's sure to start your day off right.

2. Bangers and Mash

Bangers and mash is a traditional English dish that consists of sausages (bangers) and mashed potatoes (mash). It's a comfort food staple in many English households.

3. Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington is a gourmet dish that consists of a fillet steak coated with pâté and duxelles, which is then wrapped in puff pastry and baked.

4. Black Pudding

Black pudding is a type of blood sausage that's often served as part of a traditional English breakfast.

5. Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and squeak is a dish made from leftover vegetables and potatoes. The name comes from the sound the ingredients make as they cook.

6. Cornish Pasty

A Cornish pasty is a type of pastry that's filled with meat and vegetables. It's a popular snack in England.

7. Cottage Pie

Cottage pie is a type of meat pie that's topped with mashed potatoes. It's a hearty and comforting dish.

8. Crumpets

Crumpets are a type of bread that's often served with butter and jam. They're a popular breakfast item in England.

9. Fish and Chips

Fish and chips is a classic English dish that consists of battered and fried fish served with chips (fries).

10. Full English Breakfast

A full English breakfast is a hearty meal that typically includes bacon, eggs, sausages, black pudding, baked beans, and toast.

11. Haggis

Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish that's made from sheep's heart, liver, and lungs. It's often served with neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes).

12. Jacket Potato

A jacket potato is a baked potato that's often served with various fillings, such as cheese, beans, or coleslaw.

13. Lancashire Hotpot

Lancashire hotpot is a type of stew that's made with lamb or mutton and vegetables. It's a traditional dish in the county of Lancashire.

14. Mince Pies

Mince pies are a type of pastry that's filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices. They're a popular treat during the Christmas season.

15. Ploughman's Lunch

A ploughman's lunch is a traditional English meal that typically includes cheese, cold meats, pickles, and bread.

16. Pork Pie

A pork pie is a type of meat pie that's made with pork and encased in a hot water crust pastry.

17. Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding

Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding is a classic English Sunday lunch. The Yorkshire pudding is a type of bread that's often served with gravy.

18. Scones

Scones are a type of bread that's often served with clotted cream and jam. They're a staple of the traditional English afternoon tea.

19. Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's pie is a type of meat pie that's topped with mashed potatoes. Unlike cottage pie, it's made with lamb.

20. Steak and Kidney Pie

Steak and kidney pie is a type of meat pie that's made with beef steak and kidneys. It's a traditional English dish.

21. Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding is a type of dessert that's made with dates and covered in a toffee sauce. It's a popular treat in England.

22. Toad in the Hole

Toad in the hole is a dish that consists of sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding batter. It's a classic English comfort food.

23. Trifle

Trifle is a dessert that's made with layers of sponge cake, fruit, custard, and whipped cream. It's a popular treat at English celebrations.

24. Victoria Sponge

A Victoria sponge is a type of cake that's filled with jam and whipped cream. It's named after Queen Victoria, who was said to enjoy it with her afternoon tea.

25. Welsh Rarebit

Welsh rarebit is a dish that's made with a savoury sauce of melted cheese and other ingredients, which is then poured over slices of toasted bread.

26. Corned Beef

Corned beef is a type of salt-cured beef product. It's often used in sandwiches or served with cabbage.

27. Eton Mess

Eton mess is a dessert that's made with strawberries, broken meringue, and whipped cream. It's a traditional dish at Eton College's annual cricket game.

28. Jellied Eels

Jellied eels is a traditional English dish that's made from chopped eels boiled in a spiced stock that's allowed to cool and set, forming a jelly.

29. Mulligatawny Soup

Mulligatawny soup is an English soup with origins in Indian cuisine. It's made with meat, vegetables, and spices.

30. Spotted Dick

Spotted dick is a traditional British pudding made with suet and dried fruit, usually currants or raisins.

These 30 English food names are just a taste of the rich culinary vocabulary that the English language has to offer. Whether you're a foodie or just a casual diner, knowing these terms can enhance your dining experience and give you a deeper appreciation for English cuisine.