Welcome to What to Eat, our newest blog series covering the authentic cuisines of our favorite cities around the world! Check out our must-eat meals in Rome and New Orleans, and keep an eye out for a new post next month.
From humble meat and potatoes to chewy brown soda bread, Irish cuisine offers its fair share of recognizable, traditional dishes. But did you know the island country is also famous for its fresh Atlantic seafood, black pudding, and Oriel sea salt? Next time you’re in the Emerald Isle, skip the pizza and try one of these plates instead.
Irish Stew
What’s more Irish than Irish stew, which dates back to the early 1800s? Made with lamb (never beef), potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsley, this classic bowl is a must-have for anyone visiting Ireland. Instead of adding broth, the ingredients simmer in water for several hours until the meat is extra tender and the veggies are cooked through.
Colcannon
Here’s a secret: the Irish have been cooking with kale since before it became trendy! Colcannon is a hearty main course or side dish that’s hard not to love — its only four ingredients are potatoes, butter, milk, and kale. Essentially a bowl of Irish mashed potatoes, colcannon is often accompanied by corned beef, boiled ham, or Irish bacon.
Fun fact: Turns out, corned beef isn’t as popular in Ireland as many Americans believe, likely because cows were traditionally used for dairy and labor rather than meat.
Soda Bread
Soda bread takes on a variety of forms in Ireland, from a softer white bread to the recognizable whole wheat or wheaten bread. Despite the flour it’s made from, soda bread is never made with yeast. The name “soda bread” comes from the leavening agent used to get the dough to rise — bicarbonate soda (baking soda) is most popular, but yogurt or stout can also be used.
Atlantic Seafood
Living on an island has its perks, and one of those is the incredible array of fresh, local seafood that’s readily available in stores and markets. Galway oysters are world-renowned, fish and chips can be found across the country’s coastline, and salmon and cod are popular with locals.
Boxty
Commonly found in the northern region of Ireland, boxty is a fried potato pancake made from finely grated, raw tubers and mashed potatoes mixed with flour, buttermilk, and baking soda. Thought to derive from the Irish phrase translated to “poor house bread”, boxty is often served on St. Brigid’s Day, a holiday dedicated to honoring the patron saint of dairy.
Coddle
Hailing from Ireland’s capital city of Dublin, coddle is an inexpensive Irish comfort food often eaten during the country’s cold winter months. Traditional coddle is made with sausage, rashers (Ireland’s version of fatty bacon), potatoes, onion, and sometimes barley. It’s a great way to use up leftovers and can easily be prepared ahead of time.
The Full Irish
Also known as the Irish Fry, this essential breakfast plate was developed for farmers who needed sustenance for a full day of labor in the fields. Though items may vary depending on which region of Ireland you’re visiting, the Full Irish typically includes rashers (Irish bacon), local pork sausages, fried eggs, black and white pudding, toast, fried tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, and a slice of soda bread or boxty — talk about a mouthful! Of course, it’s all fried in Irish butter and completed with a cup of tea or orange juice on the side.
Ready to try these Irish delights? Check out our educational tours to Ireland, including our 9-day Best of Ireland trip and our 10-day Dublin & the United Kingdom tour.