Members of our International Student Advisory Board have put together some helpful guides for adjusting to life in the UK.
On this page – British produce and dishes, where to eat on campus, and food tips
British Produce and Dishes
British food has a rather bad reputation, usually described as bland and boring. However, there are plenty of traditional delicious meals:
Local Produce: brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, kale, parsnip, cabbage, swedes, leeks, asparagus, spinach, onions, pumpkin, apples, pears, berries, plums. During the summer months, many local farms will offer ‘pick your own’ options for items such as strawberries and pumpkins.
Traditional Savoury Dishes: Full English breakfast, Sunday roast, fish and chips, chicken tikka masala, meat pies, black pudding, scotch egg, Shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, Yorkshire pudding, crumpets, savoury or cheese scones, toad in the hole, Cornish pasty, pie and mash, sausage rolls, beef wellington,
Traditional Puddings or Cakes: Eton mess, Victoria sponge cake, Trifle, Sticky toffee pudding, fruit scones with jam and cream.
Where to eat on campus
The Canterbury campus has some restaurants, cafés, and bars https://www.kent.ac.uk/catering
Food Tips
- Bars and restaurants might ask you to pay for service tax, but you can opt out.
- Supermarkets are usually open from 8am to 22 pm Monday through Saturday. They are also open on Sundays and Bank holidays, but with restricted opening times.
- Look out for the yellow stickers in supermarkets. These are products sold at a reduced price because their best before date is approaching, but they are still safe to consume.
- In the UK, breakfast is usually between 7.00 and 9.00 AM, lunch is between 12.00 and 2.00 PM, and dinner is between 6.30 to 8.00 PM.
- Most supermarkets offer meal deals that include one main (a sandwich, or salad), one side (a bag of crisps or another snack) and a drink.
- Eating out: Canterbury has a great variety of international restaurants.
- You must be aged 18 or over to buy alcohol (in bars and shops), so be sure you carry your ID with you.
- You can order take-aways using apps such as Deliveroo, Just Eat or Uber Eats.