Classic dishes such as beans on toast, “dippy” eggs and fish fingers are among the nation's favourite childhood comfort foods, a survey has found.
A poll of 2,000 Britons asking for their most nostalgic meals also featured shepherd’s pie, fairy cakes, rice pudding and apple crumble with custard.
Claiming the top spot were “dippy” eggs and soldiers, comprising a soft-boiled egg alongside buttered toast sliced into fingers.
Writer and culinary history consultant Sue Bailey has offered insight as to why some foods prompt such personal memories.
“Personal nostalgia is a strong emotion linked to the familiar taste and smell of food, particularly based on comforting foods when a child,” she said.
“Foods such as fish fingers are a common part of childhood memories as most parents will serve them at some point. Unless badly undercooked, they will always be tasty.
“But someone’s pleasure can be another person’s disappointment. Nostalgia is very individual – I remember butterscotch Angel Delight with pleasure as a child as a special treat, yet I would not fancy it now. However, a dippy egg is another matter.”
According to the survey, dippy eggs remain popular for adults – even sometimes being used to cure hangovers.
The survey showed most people prefer a runny yolk, white sliced bread soldiers and salted butter, although some now include toppings such as Marmite, hot honey and harissa.
Bex Tonks, the founder of St Ewe Free Range Eggs, said: “The way we eat our eggs might evolve – white sliced bread becomes sourdough, or tastes become a little more adventurous – but the simple joy of cracking into a beautiful golden egg and dipping that first soldier hasn’t really changed.”
Will Torrent, from Waitrose, said: “We’re seeing a surge in what we call ‘noshtalgia’ – with food lovers revisiting the humble, cheerful dishes of our youth.
“In a world that often feels fast-paced and unpredictable, people aren’t just eating for fuel; they’re eating for a sense of comfort.
“The magic of dishes such as shepherd’s pie, rice pudding, or fish fingers and beans is their total escapism.
“They’re warm, soft, carb-rich, and comforting.”
The 20 most nostalgic British dishes, according to the St Ewe Free Range Eggs survey, are:
- Dippy eggs and soldiers – 39 per cent
- Angel Delight – 38 per cent
- Fish fingers, chips and beans – 37 per cent
- Jelly and ice cream – 37 per cent
- Beans on toast – 37 per cent
- Sausage and mash – 35 per cent
- Rice pudding – 34 per cent
- Apple crumble and custard – 32 per cent
- Sausage, egg and chips – 32 per cent
- Fairy cakes – 27 per cent
- Jam roly-poly and custard – 26 per cent
- Arctic roll – 25 per cent
- Shepherd’s pie – 25 per cent
- Cottage pie – 23 per cent
- Victoria sponge cake – 23 per cent
- Toad in the hole – 22 per cent
- Viennetta – 22 per cent
- Bread and butter pudding – 20 per cent
- Eggy bread – 20 per cent
- Ham, egg and chips – 19 per cent
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