London’s food scene is as diverse as the city itself, offering everything from Michelin-starred cuisine to some of the most unusual dishes you will ever encounter. Chocolate covered scorpions, kangaroo steak, and kidney pie are just a few of the memorable meals awaiting adventurous eaters in the British capital. Centuries of trade and immigration have shaped a culinary landscape where the boundaries of taste are constantly being pushed. Street food markets, historic pubs, and specialist shops all contribute to this culture of culinary exploration, making London a destination for anyone who wants to eat something truly different.
The world is full of new and interesting foods. While most would think the developing countries in Africa or Asia may have the most unbelievably confusing meals, you can find foods that are at the top of the charts in terms of weirdness in other places; one of those places is London.
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A City of Culinary Surprises
Yes, London is home to some of the strangest foods and delicacies in the world. While it is not surprising based on the city’s diverse cultures and knack for serving up odd meals, you cannot help but wonder how some of these foods actually became popular. London’s food scene reflects centuries of trade, immigration, and experimentation. From the days of the British Empire bringing spices and ingredients from distant colonies to the modern wave of global cuisine, the city has always been a melting pot where culinary boundaries are pushed. Street food markets, quirky restaurants, and specialist shops all contribute to this adventurous eating culture. The result is a menu that ranges from the merely unusual to the genuinely shocking.
Here are some of London’s weirdest foods:
1. Chocolate Covered Scorpions
Do I really need to tell you what is in this delicacy? If you could not figure it out by now, all that is in a chocolate covered scorpion is, you guessed it, chocolate and a scorpion. It sounds downright disgusting, but people have reported that the texture and taste is similar to a Kit Kat bar. How lovely! If you are willing to give this a shot, you can order them through various online sources, or you can just go straight to a shop in London. Be careful, these are a bit on the expensive side.
2. Scotch Eggs
Invented in 1738 by Fortnum & Mason, a department store located in central London, the scotch egg quickly caught on. While Americans might think it is strange that a department store would sell food items, it is perfectly normal in the UK. A scotch egg consists of a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, rolled in breadcrumbs and then finally deep-fried to perfection. It sounds like something a group of hungry shoppers would think of, but it is actually a perfect combination of flavour and texture, and the price is not too bad, either.
3. Kidney Pie
Mate! Pass me a pint and kidney pie! Well, something like that. Whatever London natives say is what they will say! Anyway, yes, this is typically served in a pub setting. In a kidney pie you will find diced or mashed kidney (typically from lamb or pig), onion and gravy. The gravy is a mixture of broth, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and flour to give it some form. All of these ingredients get stuffed into a puffed pastry. Mmmmm!
4. Kangaroo Steak
As the name implies, you can find a slab of kangaroo meat primed and ready to be eaten. Much like how conventional steak eaters would order based on temperature, you would do the same here. While the meat is a bit tougher when compared to its more common beef brother, it is still a delectable and juicy experience. There are a couple of restaurants in the heart of London that serve this specialty, so do not miss out!
5. Strange Thing
Yeah, that is actually the name of the dish, and after you see what it is, you will wholeheartedly agree with the name. The Strange Thing is a pastry filled with cheese, courgette (zucchini) and sweet corn. I am not sure who came up with this idea, but sheesh, what an imagination, huh? Surprisingly, it actually has been noted as having a fairly rich and decadent flavour, with the cheese balancing out the sweetness of the courgette and sweet corn.
Where to Find London’s Weirdest Eats
There you have it: some of the weirdest foods that London has to offer. If you are feeling brave, give them a shot! Many of these dishes can be found in specialist food markets such as Borough Market, Camden Market, and the various street food stalls that pop up across the city. Scotch eggs are widely available in pubs and supermarkets across the capital. Kidney pie remains a staple in traditional British pubs, particularly those in the City and Westminster. For the more extreme items like chocolate covered scorpions and kangaroo steak, look for specialist stores in Soho and Chinatown. The adventurous eater will never go hungry in London.
Which of London’s weirdest foods would you be brave enough to try? 🍽️
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