If you've been to England without trying Fish and Chips, you haven't truly experienced England! This dish is so quintessentially British that it's a must-try before heading back home. But you can also recreate the taste of England and Fish and Chips in your own kitchen. Learn more about this iconic dish, how it’s often made of Norwegian fish and how to prepare it here.

Fish and Chips: British comfort food

There's a reason why Britons consume around 170 million servings of Fish and Chips each year – it's simply a type of comfort food that's perfect year-round, both in summer and winter.

You can find ready-made, frozen packets of Fish and Chips in stores, but you can also easily make the dish in your own kitchen, paired with a delicious homemade tartar sauce.

A dish that can be prepared and enjoyed in many ways

Like with any other English food, the variations of Fish and Chips are endless. What type of oil, potatoes, fish variety, and batter are all variables that will affect the flavor of your Fish and Chips. Tartar sauce and mushy peas are the most common accompaniments, along with ketchup and vinegar. Beer can also be used in the batter.

Over a quarter of all Fish and Chips meals in Britain are made with fish from Norway, primarily cod or haddock.

Find all Fish and Chips recipes on fromnorway.com here!

Interesting facts about Fish and Chips:

  • Fish and Chips is often considered Britain's national dish.
  • One out of every four whitefish, and one out of every ten potatoes in all of Britain, are consumed as Fish and Chips.
  • Britain is the world's largest export market for haddock, and Norway's most important haddock market. 40 percent of all haddock consumed in Britain comes from Norway.
  • Haddock is particularly popular in Northern England.
  • Haddock has a firm texture and the meat is quite coarse, making it well-suited for Fish and Chips and fish cakes.
  • Haddock and cod are rich in proteins, B12, selenium, iodine, and vitamin D.
  • The history of Fish and Chips in England dates back to the 19th century, when Britons began trawling in the North Sea. It's uncertain how this dish of fish and potatoes originated, but it's believed that the concept of fried potatoes was introduced by the French.
  • In addition to England, the dish is also popular in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
  • Charles Dickens mentions a "fried fish warehouse" in "Oliver Twist", as early as 1838.
  • The first known "Fish and Chips shop" was opened in London in 1860 by a man named Joseph Malin.
  • The fact that the dish was one of the few items not rationed during World War II, speaks volumes about the role Fish and Chips has played in Britain throughout history.
  • There is an annual national competition "National Fish and Chip Awards" to crown the best Fish and Chips.
  • There are approximately 10 000 Fish and Chips shops in Britain. They are called "chippers."