As the festive season gets into full swing, a culinary tradition from Northern Ireland is capturing the attention of Brits across the water. The Christmas chip, a staple on menus in the region since early November, is now being sampled by many in Great Britain for the very first time, with reactions ranging from delight to debate.
What Exactly Is a Christmas Chip?
For the uninitiated, the dish is a hearty and indulgent creation. It consists of a base of flavourful, authentic 'chippy chips'—the kind you get from a proper fish and chip shop. These are then generously topped with a full festive medley. Traditional accompaniments include pigs in blankets, roast turkey, ham, stuffing, and a rich, thick gravy. Some versions also feature cheese or cranberry sauce, making it the ultimate holiday comfort food on a single plate.
A Taste of Home Goes Viral
The trend crossed the Irish Sea thanks to Emily Wardley, who discovered the dish while living in Northern Ireland. Now back in England and yearning for a taste, she decided to recreate the meal at home and shared the process in a TikTok video on November 25.
Emily started by stressing the importance of using proper chippy chips, not oven-baked ones. She then garnished them with sliced pigs in blankets. In a practical twist, she used roast chicken prepared like a Sunday roast instead of turkey, shredding it over the chips. She finished the dish with a sprinkling of stuffing and, crucially, a separate boat of thick gravy ready to be poured over the top.
She assured her viewers, 'I'm sorry - you cannot tell me that doesn't look absolutely banging.' In her caption, she gave her creation a definitive '10/10' rating.
'Revolutionary' Reactions and a Cross-Channel Debate
The response from fellow Brits was overwhelmingly positive, with many admitting they had never heard of the Christmas chip before. One captivated viewer declared it 'revolutionary', while others commented on how amazing it looked.
However, the video also sparked a friendly culinary debate. Viewers from Northern Ireland were quick to point out that Emily's version, while delicious, wasn't entirely authentic. They noted the absence of ham and cranberry sauce and the substitution of chicken for turkey.
One person commented, 'All the chippys where I live in Northern Ireland serve Christmas chips but not with chicken. It's with turkey, that's what a Christmas chip is.' Another highlighted the missing elements, asking, 'Where's the turkey and ham?! Cranberry, if you wish!'
Despite the minor controversy, Emily's video has successfully introduced a beloved Northern Irish tradition to a wider British audience, proving that some festive delights are worth sharing.
