Pie & Mash
"Pie & Mash is a traditional East End working-class dish: a meat pie (minced beef) served with mashed potatoes and green parsley 'liquor' (a parsley sauce). It's eaten with a spoon and fork, often with vinegar or chili vinegar. A taste of old London from the Victorian era, still served in historic 'pie and mash shops' with tiled walls and wooden benches."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Traditional, humble
Duration
30 minutes
Best For
Traditional meals
The Backstory
Pie and Mash shops emerged in the 1800s as cheap food for London's working class. Originally made with eel (cheap Thames fish), it switched to beef when eels became scarce. The green 'liquor' is made from the water used to stew eels, giving it a distinctive flavor.
Local Secret
"The dish is an acquired taste—the liquor is unusual for first-timers. Add malt vinegar or chili vinegar to cut through the richness. Historic shops like M. Manze or F. Cooke & Sons have been operating for 100+ years. Eat it hot and fast."