Belfast Boasts A Rich Culinary Heritage, With An Array Of Traditional And Modern Dishes. Here Are A Few Highlights:

Traditional Favourites:

1. Ulster Fry: Imagine a large plate filled with crispy bacon, golden sausages, black and white pudding, all glistening with a slight sheen from being fried to perfection. At the center, there’s a fried egg with a soft, runny yolk that just begs to be broken. On the sides, you’ll find slices of potato bread and soda bread, lightly toasted with a hint of butter. The additional tomatoes, mushrooms, and beans add a splash of color and variety.
2. Boxty: Picture thin, crispy potato pancakes, golden brown on the outside and slightly translucent white on the inside. They’re often stacked on a plate, sometimes topped with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives.
3. Champ: Envision a mound of creamy mashed potatoes, flecked with vibrant green scallions. The butter pooled on top creates a little crater in the middle, making it look extra indulgent.
4. Dulse: Think of dark, reddish-purple seaweed, dried and often crinkly. It has a unique texture, both chewy and slightly crispy, with a deep, salty flavour.

Modern Delights:

1. Belfast Bap: Imagine a large, fluffy bread roll, perfectly risen and golden on the outside. It’s soft and pillowy on the inside, often bursting with fillings like bacon and eggs, creating a satisfying bite.
2. Eel Supper: Visualize smoked or jellied eels, their sleek, dark bodies presented on a plate, often accompanied by a fresh, tangy side salad or some buttered bread.
3. Locally-sourced seafood: Given Belfast’s coastal location, seafood such as shimmering assortment of seafood. Mussels in their shiny black shells, plump oysters on the half-shell drizzled with lemon, and pieces of fresh fish garnished with herbs. It’s a feast for the eyes as much as for the palate.
4. Artisan Cheeses: Northern Ireland has seen a resurgence in cheese-making, with several local varieties gaining popularity There are creamy, soft cheeses oozing slightly at the edge, firmer aged varieties with a robust aroma, and all beautifully arranged with accompaniments like grapes, nuts, and honey..

Sweet Treats:

1. Fifteens: No-bake tray bakes made from a mix of digestive biscuits, marshmallows, cherries, and condensed milk—named after the number of each ingredient used. Think of a tray bake with a pale golden colour, studded with chunks of marshmallow and bright red cherries, all held together by crushed digestive biscuits and sweet, condensed milk. They are sliced into uniform little bars, making them perfect for snacking.

Belfast’s food scene has evolved over time, blending traditional comfort foods with contemporary twists. If you ever find yourself in Belfast, these dishes are well worth a try!

Written by are up and coming foodie D.French