British takeaway habits have experienced a dramatic culinary transformation over the past two decades, with traditional favourites like kebabs and fish and chips now being surpassed by Korean fried chicken and Pad Thai. The delivery platform Just Eat has released its top 10 most popular takeaways, illustrating how consumer preferences have evolved since its UK launch twenty years ago.
The Changing Landscape of British Takeaways
What began as a modest service offering just seven cuisines in the United Kingdom – including Italian, Indian, burgers, Chinese, kebabs, fish and chips, and chicken – has now expanded into a vast marketplace featuring over 100 different culinary options. The platform has introduced diverse cuisines such as Bangladeshi, Brazilian, Greek, and Nepalese food, reflecting Britain's increasingly adventurous palate.
Social Media's Powerful Influence
Just Eat has identified social media trends as a crucial driver behind recent popular choices, alongside a growing national focus on wellness. The influence of platforms like TikTok has sparked remarkable surges in demand for specific food items. Japanese-inspired matcha products, for instance, have seen orders more than double in the last year, increasing by 120 percent with approximately 120,000 searches on the platform.
Another social media sensation, Dubai chocolate, has experienced extraordinary demand, with related product orders skyrocketing by an astonishing 2,684 percent in 2025 alone. Leigh Phillipson, commercial director at Just Eat, explained that social platforms have created tangible impacts on ordering patterns.
"We've seen TikTok have a real impact on the popularity of orders, with Korean cuisine experiencing a boom in recent years following shows like Squid Game and music by Blackpink," said Mr Phillipson. "Items most Brits in 2006 would be confused by, like matcha and fibre drinks, are surging in alignment with wellness trends."The Decline of Traditional Favourites
Once-dominant dishes from 2006, including doner kebab, fish and chips, and chicken korma, have now slipped out of the top 10 takeaway rankings. They have been replaced by contemporary choices such as Korean fried chicken, loaded fries, and Pad Thai. Just Eat's historical data reveals that sushi was first introduced on the platform in 2008, followed by Thai cuisine in 2009, while Korean options were only added a decade ago.
Enduring Classics and Independent Restaurants
Despite these significant shifts, some classic dishes remain steadfastly popular according to Just Eat's comprehensive data. The company confirms it still hosts more than 11,000 independent Indian restaurants on its site, demonstrating enduring affection for traditional flavours.
"Despite more choice than ever, great British favourites like Indian, Chinese and fish and chips are as popular as ever," emphasized Mr Phillipson. "Independent restaurants are still the beating heart of our platform and a force for good on our UK high streets."
The evolution documented by Just Eat not only highlights changing culinary tastes but also underscores how technology, social media, and health consciousness are reshaping Britain's takeaway landscape in profound ways.
