A Jewish immigrant, Joseph Malin, opened the first recorded combined fish-and-chip shop in London in the 1860s; a Mr Lees pioneered the concept in the North of England, in Mossley, in 1863.

Who introduced fish and chips to the UK?

Refugees brought fried fish to the UK

Fried fish was likely brought to the UK by Spanish and Portuguese refugees during the 16th century. At the time, Jews were facing religious persecution across Portugal and Spain and many resettled here in the UK, bringing their culinary delicacies with them.

Why do British like fish and chips?

So engrained in English culinary culture are fish and chips that they were one of the few foods never rationed during World War II. The government believed that safeguarding this comfort meal during a time of distress was key to keeping morale up. Today, fish and chips remain a staple in the modern English diet.