The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Northern Irish Foods. If you manage to be in an Northern Irish restaurant or you are visiting Northern Ireland, I recommend the following:
1. Irish Stew
An easy and flexible meal that is commonly considered Ireland’s national dish. Although usually made with lamb, onions, carrots, celery and potatoes, Irish stew can also be made with beef or chicken.
2. Pastie
Pastie is a traditional Irish pie often served in most pubs, usually with chips (French fries) or chips and gravy if the dish is called pastie soup (dinner means food served with chips). Empanadas are usually made with ground pork or beef, potatoes, onions and various spices. The mixture is then covered with dough and fried or baked in puff pastry.
3. Vegetable Roll
Although, as the name suggests, the vegetable wrap is a beef product in the shape of a large sausage. It is lightly seasoned with fresh herbs and chives. Baked or sliced and baked vegetable wraps are a staple of Ulster potatoes, but can also be eaten on their own with mashed potatoes and beans for dinner.
4. Potato Bread Farl
Visually similar to small hash browns, hash browns or faji bread, it is a delicious Irish hash made with mashed potatoes, butter, flour and salt. The dough is usually rolled into squares or circles and baked on a baking sheet or in a pan until golden brown. The word farl in the name refers to the shape in which it is cut, usually triangular.
5. Potato Apple Bread
County Armagh in Northern Ireland is famous for its apples, so it is not surprising that the locals developed this local dish known as potato and apple bread. It consists of mashed potatoes, cored and sliced apples, sugar, salt, flour and butter. The dish is usually fried until the skin turns brown, then served for breakfast or as a snack with a cup of tea. Alternatively, it can be served with lemon cream and whipped cream for dessert.
6. Champ
One of Northern Ireland’s best known dishes, and one that has been recognised in many parts of the world, is the famous Mashed Champ, or just Champ. As the name suggests, it is a mashed potato-based dish, mixed with onions, a real delicacy to accompany any kind of meat, especially beef.
7. Fifteens
Quince is a traditional Northern Irish cake consisting of digestive biscuits, coconut, marshmallows and cherries. The dessert is usually rolled into a log, refrigerated and then sliced. It can be found in many bakeries and celebrations across the country. The name of the dish refers to the traditional recipe in which each ingredient has fifteen.
8. Wheaten Bread
Wheat bread is a Northern Irish term for whole wheat bread. Interestingly, this bread contains no yeast and consists of whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, butter, sugar, buttermilk and oats sprinkled on top of the bread. It goes well with butter and jam when it comes out of the oven, but wheat bread is also a good accompaniment to soups, cold cuts or smoked salmon.
9. Ulster Fry
Northern Ireland’s typical breakfast, a dish full of flavours and calories, is ideal for starting the day full of energy and covering the whole nation in one dish. Locals are used to eating this dish every morning. The secret to this dish’s popularity in the nation is that all the ingredients are cooked in the same pan, so that all the flavours are preserved. It is based on eggs (which don’t necessarily have to be fried), various Irish breads, mushrooms, beans and tomatoes. A lighter option of the world’s most famous breakfast.
10. Ardglass Potted Herring
This simple and classic Northern Irish dish is prepared by rolling the famous Ardglass herring in a dish and then adding vinegar, raw onions, spiced berries, salt and pepper. Fry the dish until the top of the fish is crispy. It is recommended to serve the herring with thick wholemeal bread and butter to soak up the juices.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.