Fish and chips tops poll of Britain’s national dishes with 49 per cent

A YouGov poll found that 49 per cent of Britons regard fish and chips as the UK’s national dish, putting it ahead of roast dinner and chicken tikka masala. The result challenges the curry’s long-standing claim to the title and revives a debate about how Britain’s food reflects its national identity.

Roast dinner came second, named by 24 per cent, while only three per cent chose chicken tikka masala. The poll also found that 52 per cent eat a roast at least monthly, compared with 35 per cent for fish and chips and 21 per cent for chicken tikka masala. In 2001, former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook called the curry a British national dish, citing Britain’s adaptation of outside influences.