Street View Street Food
Fish & Chips
History
Fried fish first brought to England in large quantities by Western Sephardic Jews is considered to be the model for the fish element of the dish. Originally, Western Sephardic Jews settling in England in the 17th century would have prepared fried fish in a manner similar to Pescado frito, which is coated in a flour. Battered fish is first coated in flour then dipped into a batter consisting of flour mixed with liquid, usually water but sometimes beer. Some newer modifications to the recipe may have cornflour added, and instead of beer sometimes soda water is added.
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Culture
British fish and chips were originally served in a wrapping of old newspapers but this practice has now largely ceased, with plain paper, cardboard, or plastic being used instead. In the United Kingdom, the Fish Labelling Regulations“ fish” must be sold with the particular commercial name or species named; so, for example,“ cod and chips” now appears on menus rather than the more vague“ fish and chips”. In the United Kingdom the Food Standards Agency guidance excludescaterers from this; but several local Trading Standards authorities and others do say it cannot be sold merely as“ fish and chips”.