Those who settled in England bought their tender, deep-fried fish with them. When the environment became too hostile, Jews fled from Portugal. Religious violence towards Jews had been worsening over the years so most of them practiced Judaism in secret and pretended to be Catholic, a religion that, conveniently, also cooked fish on Fridays. In 1580, Portugal fell under Spanish rule. The batter was believed to preserve the fish so it could be eaten cold the next day. Sephardic Jews in particular took a liking to this they fried fish on Fridays to prepare for the Sabbath (Saturday), when their faith prohibited cooking. The origins of battered, fried fishįrom the 15th century, Jews living in Portugal were a big fan of peshkado frito – white fish, normally cod or haddock, coated in flour and then fried. The addition of chips occurred in the 1800s, and this delicious duo led to the birth of fish and chips as we know them today and the now 10,000 fish and chip shops that came with it. It might also surprise you to know that fried fish, which you might assume to be a British delicacy, was brought over to England by Jewish people. Research from cultural anthropologist and writer Claudia Roden shows that Joseph Malin ran a fried fish and chip shop in Bow from 1860 to the early 1970s, in its place now stands housing. But did you know the first fish and chip shop in the UK was started right here in Bow – Malin’s on Old Ford Road. Fish and chips has long been considered quintessentially East End food.
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