Not all things Irish are to be recreated. Here are ten foods that are only good in Ireland.
There are many Irish themed pubs and restaurants around the world, some serving pretty great food and pints and some… not so great. There are also some foods that are only good in Ireland.
These dishes require specific Irish ingredients, traditional processes and an Irish touch to make them taste the way they should. If any of this can’t be done, the dish will not be authentic.
Many people say the best pint of Guinness is in Ireland, and they’d have to be right, but we are here to list the ten foods that are only good in Ireland, too.
10. Soda bread – a bread like no other
Bread making has been a part of daily life in Ireland for centuries, and Irish soda bread is probably the most famous kind.
Unlike other bread, this one requires buttermilk to give it that specific taste and tender crumb, making it truly unique to Ireland. Try it warmed up, topped with Irish butter.
9. Coddle – Dublin coddle at its best
This stew-like dish, made famous in old Dublin, contains Irish sausages, mixed veg, and a particular type of broth. Not only will this be authentic in Ireland, but Dublin in particular.
8. Crisp sandwich – a sure winner in Ireland
Okay, firstly, not everyone is keen on this combination, but in Ireland, it is a sure winner. You can recreate it abroad, but if you don’t have the right bread and crisps, it will be all types of wrong.
You need to have this in Ireland with Tayto crisps, Brennan’s bread, and Irish butter. There’s no other way.
7. Battered sausage – one of the top foods that are only good in Ireland
Most people abroad will find this food a weird one, but the Irish abroad may go in search of their beloved battered sausage at one time or another.
Sadly, the best battered sausages can only be found in Ireland. They are so popular that vegetarian takeaways are now serving veggie versions that are arguably even better than the original.
6. Guinness cake – beer cake, yes please
Made with cacao, real Irish butter, and Guinness, this comfort dessert is a popular after-dinner treat, often served with a nice cup of tea. The cream cheese frosting gives the look of a foamy glass of Guinness.
With the butter and beer being two Important ingredients here, they must be sourced in Ireland; otherwise, it won’t taste the way it should. This only tastes good in Ireland.
5. Black and white pudding – the famous Irish blood sausage
There may be other versions of these in the world, and the Scots even have haggis, which has similar ingredients but believe us, white and black pudding sourced in Ireland cannot be beaten.
There is even a popular vegetarian version available at Supervalu which is so authentic you’d never believe it was meatless. This is a staple ingredient in any traditional Irish breakfast!
4. Steak and Guinness pie – a hearty meal that’s only good in Ireland
Much like Irish stew, this popular hearty Irish dish is only good in Ireland.
Firstly, the Guinness here is the best in the world, and Irish beef is unbeatable, so without these two main ingredients, you just won’t get that Irish taste.
3. Irish Stew – the nation’s favourite
How hard can it be to make an Irish stew? Well, it’s surprisingly simple, but you need to have all the right Irish ingredients to get it right.
Many restaurants around the world attempt this famous Irish meal. Still, very few succeed in giving it that unique Irish flavour, only to be found in Ireland.
2. Irish rashers – breakfast just isn’t complete without them
Rashers, a.k.a. bacon, are a staple in any Irish breakfast, just like pudding. Any other kind of rasher just won’t do, and believe us, the Irish take their rashers seriously, nothing beats the homegrown version.
1. Bacon and cabbage – born and bred in Irish homes
This age-old dish is one that every Irish person knows, so much so that you can even recognize it by its smell a mile away.
Bacon in Ireland is boiled ham and is served with cabbage grown in Ireland and of course, Irish mash with real Irish butter. There’s no recreating this one.
So there you go, our list of the top ten foods that are only good in Ireland, are we right or are we right?
