Polish cuisine is known for its hearty and flavourful dishes that have been passed down for generations. With a rich history and diverse cultural influences, Polish food still does not attract as much attention as it should. For those living in the UK, there are plenty of options to experience the delicious flavours of Poland. In this blog, we will explore the various Polish food options available in the UK, from traditional restaurants to specialty shops and online delivery services. So, get ready to tantalize your taste buds and discover the best Polish food available in the UK.
Polish products in major shops
The quickest answer to the title question may surprise you, but I’d say – start with Tesco. Or ASDA. Or any other major British supermarket. They all still run Polish shelves for Poles and other “commies” from Eastern and Central Europe although its popularity and the range of products available there is getting shorter and shorter. In a separate post, I will deal with the Tesco online offer. Just to give you some basic guidance, what is there and what you shall expect when buying something from them. I am hired by neither this supermarket nor any other retailer so you will get an honest and genuine review of the stuff you can buy there. In my shop (opening soon) I aim to sell only craft food which I regard as top quality. Still, please don’t be discouraged to delve into the Polish goodies market through the common, popular products. Many of them are really worth trying and your opinion in each particular case may be, totally different than mine.
Polish shops = Polish food
Once you are initiated and have already had some Polish food experience, you can take the next big step and explore Polish shops. For those who prefer to cook their own Polish dishes at home, there are plenty of specialty Polish shops scattered throughout the UK. These shops offer a wide range of Polish ingredients, from kielbasa (sausage) to pickled vegetables and various spices. The shops vary a lot with the product range, pricing, accessibility, or quality of service. Some of them are genuinely “Polish” shops while many are more “European” combining food from different countries. There’s no chance I can review all of them so please expect me to focus on the best only. In the same way, the scope of that blog falls short of the aim to bring you expert knowledge about all the products you may find there. It is simply too many of them. Instead, I will try to index the best of them – those which in my opinion you should be looking for.
By all means, don’t be shy and go there. In most cases, you may find sympathetic people, who may speak with an accent but who are more than happy to answer your questions and give you some guidance as well. I know that this process may be slightly difficult to begin with but once the first ice is broken, it gets easier. Get some knowledge about Polish food from my site, think what most of your interests might possibly be, and then you are properly “armed” for a Polish shops’ safari.
Polish restaurants
Finally, if you want to try a total Polish food experience – there are places in this country that will give you that opportunity in a very professional manner. These establishments offer an authentic dining experience with dishes that are true to their roots. From pierogi (dumplings) to bigos (hunter’s stew), these restaurants serve up a variety of classic Polish dishes that will transport you to the streets of Warsaw or Krakow. Polish restaurants in the UK are getting stronger. Most of them started focused on providing services to the Polish community, but as time goes by they are opening to more international groups of people. Again, my role here is to gather and collate some information and allow them to reach out to you. In some cases, I will get some promotional offers for my readers so watch out for them and use them as a major step to becoming a Polish food expert.