Fish fingers, roast dinners, and egg and soldiers top the list of most nostalgic childhood dishes in the UK, as new research uncovers the emotional comfort found on our plates.
New survey results from food box delivery company, HelloFresh, found that 81% of Brits still enjoy their favourite childhood foods as adults, with more than half (54%) tucking into them occasionally and 1 in 4 (27%) doing so regularly.
According to the data, the top five most nostalgia-inducing foods for adults across the UK are:
- Fish fingers
- Egg and soldiers
- Roast dinner
- Beans on toast
- Shepherd’s pie
Age does matter when it comes to food memories. While older Brits (age 65+) feel most sentimental about hearty classics like roast dinners and shepherd’s pie, younger generations (aged 18-24) named potato waffles, smiley faces, and chicken dinosaurs among their top comfort picks, showing how childhood trends have evolved alongside frozen food innovations.
HelloFresh asked Dr. Carolyne Keenan, a registered psychologist, why these dishes mean something far deeper than just dinner to adult Brits. Dr Keenan said, “Food is never just food, it’s memory, identity, and connection. Childhood is a time of emotional imprinting. The foods we grew up with are often tied to experiences of comfort, care, and routine.
“When we revisit those meals, our brains light up memory networks linked to those emotions. It’s a form of emotional shorthand, especially comforting when we’re stressed or feeling low. In the right context, revisiting these meals can support emotional wellbeing. It’s a way to ground ourselves and access a sense of ease and belonging, even if just for a moment.”
The research supports this: 41% of adults turn to nostalgic meals when they’re too tired to think about cooking, while 1 in 3 (34%) cook them when dining solo, and 30% say they do it as a treat. In moments of exhaustion or emotional drain, familiarity is exactly what UK adults are cooking up in the kitchen.
Senior Recipe Development Manager at HelloFresh, Mimi Morley, commented, “The data not only shows us just how much food can mean to us at every stage of our lives, but it highlights the impact of food early on in childhood. At HelloFresh, we aim to create family-friendly recipes that lean into the comfort everyone needs while still concentrating on whole foods and healthy ingredients that will have a positive, longstanding impact.”
HelloFresh has even launched special “Childhood Classics” on their menu, with kid friendly recipes reimagining nostalgic favourites with a grown-up twist. With the Ultimate Cheesy Lamb Shepherd’s Pie to Mac and Double Cheese, the range also includes fun throwbacks like Chicken Strips and Chips, Creamy Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala, and a Sloppy Joe Cheeseburger twist. Whether you’re craving a classic or discovering a new one, this menu is designed to dish up comfort, joy, and a generous serving of nostalgia.