A New Zealander who grew up on fish and chips by the beach has finally tried the British version — and found one popular item a letdown.
Childhood memories vs British reality
Vita Molyneux, a travel reporter, has fond memories of eating snapper on the sand in New Zealand, fending off seagulls and wiping grease on her towel. Since moving to London two years ago, she avoided British fish and chips, nervous it wouldn't live up to her childhood. But this weekend, with the sun shining, she walked to Chippy on the Corner in Holloway, accompanied by her British boyfriend.
The order and cost
They ordered two regular battered cod with chips, mushy peas, a battered sausage, and two cream sodas. The total came to £37.30. The portion size was massive — the bag was heavy enough to almost pull her arm off.
The fish, though sitting under a heat lamp rather than freshly fried, had golden, crispy batter and tender, flaky cod. She thought it could use more salt but noted she could add that herself.
Chips and the standout item
The hand-cut chips were a disappointment: chewy and cardboard-like. However, the battered sausage was a revelation — perfectly seasoned, piping hot, and utterly delicious. It was her first time trying one.
The mushy peas letdown
The mushy peas were the biggest letdown. Molyneux had to ask her boyfriend if they were supposed to taste that way, fearing they were off. She described them as bitter, unsalted, with a glue-like texture. After one spoonful, she set them aside.
Despite the mushy peas, her first British fish and chips was overall a success. But she still prefers the New Zealand version.
