The Irish have such interesting names for things, don’t you think? Like mashed potatoes and sausages, for instance. If you don’t speak the lingo, at least now you know what bangors and mash is.
Also, Freckle Bread is simple raisin bread; Black Pudding is made with pig’s blood but some people say it tastes amazing. Maybe I’ll try it next time; Soda Bread is a quick bread made with raisins (okay, it’s better than that sounds, but you get the idea); Wheaten bread is soda bread made, I think, with some whole wheat flour;
The Black Stuff is dark ale, probably Guinness; Colcannon is a dish made from cabbage, potatoes, and leeks; Brack is a sweet bread for tea, usually with fruit; Coddle is a one pot meal of bacon, sausage, potatoes, onions, and maybe barley and carrots and a few other things. And by the way, bacon is not bacon. Not sure if you can find American type bacon in Ireland, but I haven’t been everywhere. Rashers is bacon and that’s more like thick ham.
Crisps are potato chips and chips are French fries. Prawns are shrimp. Crumbles are similar to what I call apple crisp, but with all different kinds of fruit. I had some rhubarb crumble that was sooo good. Irish stew is to die for. Sometimes the little cafes at tourist sites have soups and stews brought in, made by the employee in her kitchen at home.
I’ve heard the ice cream is very good. I can’t eat it but I thought I’d pass that info on.
Beware of the different kinds of mustards. Some are very, very hot!
A full Irish breakfast will probably be on your table at some point on your trip. It’s a little different in the north than it is in the republic, but all good with a lot of food. If you’ve never had one before, some of it will seem very odd to you. And I admit I skip some of it. The one below includes potatoes, which surprised me. When I was in Ireland before potatoes were never on the breakfast menu. All other times of the day of course, but not breakfast. See the rashers? Looks like ham.
Speaking of potatoes…there is one way of cooking them that I’ve never had anywhere else. The potatoes are parboiled and then roasted in the oven. Here are the details and a recipe.
I know I’ve missed a lot here. But my point is to point out how creatively the Irish name their dishes and how it’s probably a good idea to study up on the terms before you go. There are some things you have to discover for yourself, however. Here are two things I learned about the food: yogurt in Ireland (and probably in Europe in general) is not the same as it is here. At least what I ate wasn’t. Probably the bacteria is different, I’m not sure. But being lactose-intolerant I can eat yogurt because of the healthy cultures. But…uh…didn’t seem to be so in Ireland so I’ll skip it next time. Another thing we discovered was that vegetable soup is not like ours, which is generally tomato-based. This was good, but a clear broth with mostly onions, leeks, and carrots.
Here are a few other tips: Coffee is much, much, stronger. Be warned. (Although that may have improved since I was last there.) Tea is always served with milk, even if you ask to omit it. I like mine straight and that seems very, very peculiar to the Irish. I like how they serve it. The tea bag is put into a pot of hot water rather into your cup. Brew your whole little pot and then refill. If you go somewhere fancy they’ll strain your loose leaf into your cup. Packets of sugar and sweetener are long and vertical rather than our square packs. Not that you won’t find square but I don’t think that’s the norm. And brown sugar too. I was surprised to see that on the table. You may also find sugar cubes.
If you get hungry for chicken salad, wait until you get home. A chicken salad sandwich in Ireland is bread, cold chicken, and some lettuce. Scones are wonderful, but as varied from restaurant to restaurant as they are in America.
If reservations are required they’ll probably ask if you’re in the book or diary. Takeaway is carryout food. Tipping isn’t expected, although it’s widely known Americans like to tip. Don’t leave your money on the table. They will only bring you a bill if you ask for it. They aren’t ignoring you, just don’t want to rush you. To pay in Ireland, go to the bar or register and pay there. You can do that at any point in your meal.
I’m not knocking the food, far from it. You will eat well. Try something new when you’re in Ireland. Fish and chips might not be new, but I don’t know how you can go to Ireland or England and not have some. And don’t forget the tea and biscuits (cookies)!
Beef is usually very good in Ireland, grass-fed and local.
Craving a pizza or Chinese? McDonalds, KFC, Subway, or Burger King? You can get those things as well. I wouldn’t, but I’m not judging. 😉
Very interesting and different from England.