Fish and chips is a traditional British dish consisting of battered and deep-fried fish, usually cod or haddock, and chips (French fries). It is often served with a side of mushy peas, tartar sauce, and malt vinegar.
Chips originated in Belgium where Belgian street vendors sold thin fried potatoes called “Belgian fries” from pushcarts. By the mid 1840s, the French had adapted the idea and their version was known as “French Fries”.
In the 1850s street traders started selling pieces of fried fish and cooked “shaved” potatoes in newspapers on the streets and alleys of London.
A Joseph Malin opened the first fish and chip shop in Cleveland Street, Bow, London in 1860.
Mr John Lees opened the first fish and chip shop outside London in Mossley near Ashton in Cheshire in 1863. He sold fish and chips from a wooden hut in the market and later transferred the business to a permanent shop across the road.
The earliest reference to fish and chip shops in the Oxford English Dictionary was in 1876. It referred to them as “a considerable source of nuisance”.
During the Second World War, British soldiers identified each other during the D-Day landings by crying out ‘fish’ and waiting for the response of ‘chips’.
Fish and chips was the only takeaway food not to be rationed in Britain during the Second World War, as the government feared that any limit would damage morale. Winston Churchill recognized the crucial role of fish and chips, and referred to them as “good companions”.
In the 1850s street traders started selling pieces of fried fish and cooked “shaved” potatoes in newspapers on the streets and alleys of London.
A Joseph Malin opened the first fish and chip shop in Cleveland Street, Bow, London in 1860.
Mr John Lees opened the first fish and chip shop outside London in Mossley near Ashton in Cheshire in 1863. He sold fish and chips from a wooden hut in the market and later transferred the business to a permanent shop across the road.
The earliest reference to fish and chip shops in the Oxford English Dictionary was in 1876. It referred to them as “a considerable source of nuisance”.
Fish and chips was the only takeaway food not to be rationed in Britain during the Second World War, as the government feared that any limit would damage morale. Winston Churchill recognized the crucial role of fish and chips, and referred to them as “good companions”.
Ivan Beshoff (also known as John Beshoff in Ireland) was the last survivor of the mutiny on the Potemkin, a Russian battleship rebellion in 1905. After the mutiny, Beshoff fled to Ireland, where he settled in Dublin and opened a fish and chip shop in 1946. Beshoff's fish and chip shop, which is still run by his descendants today, is one of the most popular in Dublin. It is known for its fresh fish and chips, as well as its traditional Irish atmosphere.
Fish and chips was served in newspaper until the 1980s when it was considered unhealthy to put food next to newspaper ink.
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The world's most expensive fish and chip dinner was created by Britsh chef Simon Haigh. The dish included Dover Sole, black truffle and champagne batter. It cost £304 per portion..
In China fish and chips are eaten with sugar.
More than 382 million portions of fish and chip are sold in the UK each year.. That works out at over 12 every second.
There are currently approximately 10,500 specialist fish and chip shops in the UK. In 1925 there were 35,000.
Source Food For Thought by Ed Pearce, Daily Express
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