Taste of Ireland: 5 Foods to Try in Dublin
Less than 200 years after the Irish Potato Famine devastated the country, Ireland now ranks a close second to Finland on The Economist’s 2022 Global Food Security Index report.
Dublin’s food scene has been reinvigorated in recent years, becoming more innovative and experimental, folding into its mix a diverse array of restaurants featuring dishes from across the globe, fostering its homegrown talent with chefs re-inventing what “Irish food” can look like, and making culinary headlines internationally. They’re out to prove that it’s not just meat and potatoes (and Guinness) anymore (though for the list below, we’ll stick to the more traditional tastes of Ireland). A number of Irish chefs who have worked abroad for years are returning to Ireland as the country is changing politically. There’s currently work being done by various groups to cultivate pride among locals in their food scene and to push Dublin into “culinary capital” territory, to make it a travel destination for foodies. It’s an exciting place for your tastebuds to be right now!
Don’t miss these top foods to try while you’re studying abroad in Dublin:
1. IRISH BREAKFAST. This is a traditional hearty meal which is usually a compilation of sausage or bacon with fried eggs, potatoes, black and white pudding, and vegetables like fried tomatoes and mushrooms, and often baked beans and some soda bread or toast. Most pubs and cafes serve this filling breakfast, especially on the weekends.
2. IRISH STEW. Ireland’s national dish, this is a must-try if you’re a meat eater. At its most basic, it consists of mutton, potatoes, onions, and broth, but it’s often full of additional ingredients such as root veggies like swedes or turnips, carrots and parsnips, celery, leek, cabbage and kale. This is simple comfort food best with quality ingredients and has been much loved here through the centuries.
3. BEEF AND GUINNESS PIE. The Guinness had to come into play somewhere here, right? Slow-cooked with Irish beef, this is a rich savory pie and another traditional dish. The Guinness takes on a slightly bitter taste when it’s cooked (and of course the alcohol evaporates). This is standard pub fare, but served in restaurants too.
4. SODA BREAD. This is one of the most famous Irish foods and the locals make a delicious loaf. It’s a quick break which means it’s made with baking soda instead of yeast and is one of those foods made from recipes that are passed down through families for generations. Any bakery will sell this. Try it with smoked salmon for a real treat!
5. BOXTY PANCAKES. These aren’t the pancakes you’re used to, but pancakes made with potatoes – a mix of grated raw potatoes and mashed potatoes, eggs, buttermilk, and flour. The batter is fried into pancakes and eaten with butter or sugar.
There are many other delicious, interesting, and unusual foods to try when you study abroad in Dublin: Barmbrack (fruity bread typically eaten on Halloween), black pudding, colcannon (Irish version of “bubble ‘n’ squeak”), coddle (typical dish that makes use of leftovers), seafood chowder, fish and chips, roast gammon, the take-out-favorite, Asian-inspired spice bag (chicken in some form, potato chips, capsicum, onion and chili) and handmade ice cream from Murphy’s.
Have pics of something you’ve eaten abroad that you can’t easily find at home? Tag us on Instagram at @ASAStudyAbroad or #AwayWithASA. We’d love to see!