Cork City offers a wide range of dishes that may not be as popular as the other cuisines. However, it’s a hidden gem that’s a must-try. Besides, it’s referred to as the “Food Capital of Ireland” for a reason.
Cork City is known for its rich history of alcoholic beverages, such as beer and whisky. So, you won’t have a hard time looking for the right brewery when you visit. And, of course, you can easily have a favourite restaurant in Cork City since it’s easy to hop from one restaurant to another while travelling.
So, if you’re planning to visit Cork City, here are some of the must-try dishes you shouldn’t miss!
1. Tripe and Drisheen
One of the most traditional dishes in Cork City is the tripe, which is often served with drisheen (black pudding or blood sausage). The tripe is the cow’s stomach that is prepared by boiling for at least an hour. Once it’s soft enough, it’s cooked with milk, sliced onion, thyme, and bay leaf. Once the sauce simmers, the herbs are removed, and the dish is seasoned with mustard, salt, and pepper. Roux of cornflour is often added to thicken the sauce. Lastly, they add some butter, parsley, and the drisheen before serving.
Although most foreigners aren’t familiar with the dish, it’s often a great experience for many, especially for those who love exploring various cuisines.
2. Spiced Beef
Spiced beef was known for being a Christmas classic, but restaurants in Cork City offer it all year round. It’s marinated beef using sugar, salt, and spices, which became a popular Christmas dish due to its flavour and texture. Since the beef has been marinated for a long time, you don’t need much time to cook it, and it’ll be tender right away.
So, instead of the holiday ham that many countries are used to, Cork City has its dish that the locals look forward to during the Christmas season. Fortunately, the travellers don’t need to wait for December to taste this amazing this, since many local restaurants offer it.
3. Fresh Seafood from the English Market
The fresh seafood from the English market is prepared by professional fishmongers and cooked using simple ingredients. And of course, this is where the local restaurants get their supplies. So, if you want to check out the fresh produce, you can visit the market and head to the next restaurant in Cork City that’s on your must-visit list.
At the same time, if you love cooking and would like to try your favourite dishes using these fresh ingredients, don’t hesitate to buy from the English market. They also offer delivery services, so you won’t have to carry all the stuff while exploring the area.
4. Cork’s Version of Fish and Chips
Fish and chips aren’t only popular in the UK, but also in Ireland, and Cork City has its own version of Fish and Chips. The difference is that the version of Cork City has a thicker batter, and the chips are also thick, but cooked in a Mediterranean style. Overall, the Cork City version of Fish and Chips can be more varied since they use other ingredients, such as various IPA rates for the beer batter. In addition, the side can also differ depending on the restaurant or pub you’re visiting.
5. Charcuterie and Artisan Cheeses
Cork City also offers various cheeses and charcuterie. Some of the cheeses they offer include Gubbeen, Coolea, Milleens, Durrus, and Ardrahan. Usually, when you order a charcuterie or cheese platter in your chosen restaurant in Cork City, it comes with crusty sourdough and chutney.
6. Boxty and Potato-Based Dishes
Boxty, also known as a potato pancake, is a popular Irish dish, but Cork has its own version of it. This potato-based dish is often served with eggs, bacon, or smoked salmon. It can be served during lunch or brunch.
Another potato-based dish that you can find in Cork City is Colcannon. It’s a mixture of mashed potatoes and cabbage, which is cooked in various ways depending on the restaurant or household.
7. Modern Irish Cuisine at Fine Dining Restaurants
Are you feeling a little fancy? Don’t hesitate to visit modern fine dining restaurants in Cork City as they offer traditional Irish dishes with a contemporary twist. Just like any other fine dining restaurant all over the world, this gives chefs the freedom to be more creative with the dishes they create, instead of sticking to the traditional ways of cooking Irish cuisine.
8. Blaa and Battenberg
If you’re craving something sweet, Cork City also offers Battenberg cake, which is a cute, colourful cake with sections. These sections are combined using jam, and the outer part is covered with marzipan (made of ground almonds, egg whites, and sugar).
In addition, they also offer the Blaa, which is a soft bread roll that you can easily find in Cork bakeries.
Final Thoughts
Cork City offers various flavours from traditional to modern dishes. So when you visit Cork City, don’t forget to explore various restaurants and try the dishes recommended in this list.
What’s your favourite dish in Cork City? Let us know by commenting below!