When I was in college, as a student of International Studies, I was very lucky to get to go study in London for a month. It was an amazing experience and I have so many wonderful memories.
So what does that have to do with food?
I’ve had an idea for a while now to begin talking about international food every so often—basics, of course—and we’ll see if it’s a good thing.
Today, instead of a specific type of food, I’ll be talking about the markets in London. London has a number of open-air markets. I was able to go to three: Camden Market, Borough Market, and Greenwich Market. You wouldn’t believe the number of stalls full of cheeses, produce, meats, pastries and sweets, and food from all over the world. I wish I could have tasted everything.
You’ll have to forgive the pictures. They were taken on a little point-and-shoot back when resolution wasn’t so high.
Borough Market
Borough Market is an open air market in Southwark, London, just a few steps away from the London Bridge (yes, that London Bridge), nestled up against the Southwark Cathedral. According to their website, the original Southwark Market is said to date back to the 11th century. Relocated in the 13th century, and after a brief closure in the 1700s, the market has stood at the same place on Borough High Street.
There is so much food! Just tables piled with numerous types of cheeses, hard, soft, round, and square, tumbling piles of ripe tomatoes, fresh mushrooms, cases full of flaky pastries from around the world, roasted meats, and enormous elevated pans full of saffron-colored paella.
Camden Market
Camden Market is located at the Camden Locks, working boat locks, in the London borough of Camden. It’s not primarily a food market, but does have a food market component with some of the best international food! The fragrance of the exotic spices, heady aromas of thick stews, frying meat, and crispy pastry—it was a good day!I had one of my best meals at Paradise Wraps, pictured above. Flaky, soft, yet slightly crispy, a pastry-like sheet wrapped a savory filling with crispy Turkish sausage, spinach, and a salty feta-like cheese. I can still remember how amazing that wrap tasted.
Greenwich Market
I did not get a chance to take pictures at Greenwich Market, mostly because I caught the tremendous cold that had been moving around the group and was not thinking very clearly. It’s a wonderful market, however, full of food and other trinkets, bits, and bobs. I bought a beautiful set of small Israeli dishes that I’m sure will show up in many pictures on this site.
One of the few things I regret about the entire experience is that I should have tried the fragrant, bubbling African goat stew I’d seen in several placed. I bought some crepes that really weren’t very good. I blame the cold.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog. Please let me know what you think!
‘Till next time!