Wales is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture, famous across the world for its stunning landscapes, medieval castles, and charming towns. But did you know that what makes Wales even more special is its food?
Welsh cuisine is defined by its hearty and comforting dishes, made with local ingredients and traditional methods. If you are planning a holiday or short break in Wales, you really must try some of the country’s speciality dishes.
In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to some of the must-try Welsh dishes that will make your trip even more memorable.
Start Your Day with a Delicious Welsh Breakfast
A traditional Welsh breakfast is a hearty and filling meal that will give you the energy you need to start your day exploring. If you are looking for a more substantial breakfast, try the full Welsh breakfast. It includes bacon, sausages, black pudding, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast. It is a filling meal that will keep you going for hours.
If you are looking for something more unique, try Welsh laverbread with your traditional Welsh breakfast. It’s a traditional Welsh dish made with seaweed and packed with nutrients and goodness. The seaweed is boiled and pureed into a paste. For breakfast, Laverbread is mixed with oats and fried into small cakes or patties and served with fried bacon and even cockles. Laverbread is an acquired taste, but it’s worth trying if you want to experience authentic Welsh cuisine.
Enjoy a Warming Welsh Lunch
One of the most popular dishes for lunch is traditional Welsh rarebit. It’s a simple but delicious dish made with toasted bread and a rich bubbly cheese sauce-type topping. The key to a good Welsh rarebit is the cheese topping, which is made with good Welsh cheddar, beer, and mustard. The topping is then poured over the toasted bread and grilled until it is bubbly and golden.
Cawl is a traditional Welsh soup that is made with lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, and leeks. It is a hearty and warming dish that is perfect for a cold day. Cawl has been a staple of Welsh cuisine for centuries, and every family has their own recipe. The key to a good cawl is to cook it slowly and let the flavours develop. It is usually served with bread and cheese. If you want to try a vegetarian version, ask for Cawl cennin (Welsh leek soup), which is made with leeks instead of meat.
Another soup that you must try is the cockle soup or cockle chowder. Cockles are a type of small clam that is found in sheltered beaches and estuaries at low tide, and they’re a Welsh speciality. The soup is made with cockles, potatoes, onions, and bacon – a simple but delicious dish that is perfect for seafood lovers.
Indulge in Welsh Sweet Treats
No trip to Wales is complete without trying some of the country’s delicious sweet treats and cakes. And after all, aren’t holidays the perfect time for a spot of indulgence?
One of the most popular is traditional Bara brith. Bara brith is a sweet bread made with dried fruit, spices and tea and usually served with butter or cheese. The name bara brith means ‘speckled bread’ in Welsh, a nod to the dried fruit that gives it its distinctive speckled appearance.
Another sweet treat you must try is Welsh cakes. Welsh cakes are sweet and buttery delight which is cooked on a griddle. Think of it as a flatter cousin to the English scone! Welsh cakes are traditionally made with flour, sugar, butter and currants although many different flavour variations exist today. A Welsh cake is best served with a sprinkle of sugar and a cup of tea. Welsh cakes are a popular snack in Wales, and you can find them in most bakeries and cafes.
If you have a super sweet tooth, try Welsh honeycomb; a crunchy, caramel-like candy made with honey and bicarbonate of soda. Welsh honeycomb is usually served as a topping for ice cream or as a snack on its own.
And finally, you must try the creamy and buttery perfection that is Welsh fudge. These days, Welsh fudge comes in many flavours such as vanilla, chocolate and salted caramel. It is a great souvenir or gift to take home with you.
Yum yum!
Hungry now? We bet you are!
There you have it, Welsh cuisine is full of delicious and comforting dishes that are perfect for a holiday in Wales. From hearty breakfasts to warming lunches and sweet treats, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Make sure to try some of the must-try Welsh dishes on your next trip to Wales. You won’t be disappointed!
