Enjoying Delicious Italian Cuisine in the UK – Can You Taste a Hint of Taiwan Flavor?

Text and photos byHappy Yun

When it comes to the UK, many friends probably share my initial impression: the UK has no good food. But during our two-month stay in Birmingham, we discovered that it’s not as bad as the stereotypes suggest. There is good food, you just have to look for it, and yes, the prices are a bit steep!! Before going abroad, I had heard from a friend about an Italian restaurant called "zizzi." Haha, coming to the UK and still eating Italian food—honestly, it seems like many places in Europe serve Italian cuisine, maybe because Italian food is world-famous and suits everyone’s taste buds.

During our time in the UK, we ate at zizzi several times, ordering different dishes each time, but they all suited our taste, and the bill never felt too painful. You definitely have to check out this place when you’re in the UK!!

That day we headed to the familiar The Mailbox. The architecture here is quite interesting, located at the corner of a canal, using the height difference between the river and land to create a rather cozy atmosphere. This area is one of the popular spots for locals and young people to hang out, and there are plenty of restaurants here. I’ll share more about the other places we’ve eaten at next time if I get the chance.

Dining hours in the UK are similar to those in Taiwan—they’re pretty normal, with quite a few people dining between 5 and 7 pm.

Unlike Spain, where we later went and dinner isn’t served until 9 or 10 pm CCC. In summer, the sun sets later, so many people choose to dine outdoors, enjoying the sunshine while sipping wine, eating, and taking in the scenery with a gentle breeze.

Looking at the menu with its pasta, risotto, and pizza, it was hard to imagine what they’d actually taste like. But trust the reviews—everyone says it’s great. We ordered a risotto and a pasta dish, plus something that seemed like a daily special—a flatbread topped with cheese and tomato. While soaking up the sun, we sipped Sprite and waited for our food to arrive~ (Though ordering drinks was a bit painful—2.3 pounds per bottle, around NT$115; but it seems like everyone orders drinks or wine at UK restaurants)

The food arrived, starting with the risotto we ordered today—Risotto Pesce (12.75 GBP). They really didn’t skimp on the cheese shavings on top!! Let’s see how it tastes.
This rice was a bit firmer than what we’re used to in Taiwan, you could still taste the chewiness of the center of the grain, but it was softer than Italian-style risotto. The seasoning was also quite familiar—there was even a hint of a Taiwanese flavor!!

Next was the pasta—Spag Zucchine (9.95 GBP). The zucchini-like veggie tasted somewhere between a regular cucumber and a larger one, giving off that distinct veggie taste, but it paired well with the grilled chicken without feeling out of place. The noodles were a bit firmer than in Taiwan but still softer than Italian ones. The risotto and pasta actually gave off a pretty Taiwanese vibe, making us wonder if early Taiwanese Italian cuisine was influenced by the UK?? Some familiar flavors brought back memories of the Italian restaurants we used to visit in Taiwan.

The daily special, Tom&Mozz Bread (4.95 GBP), looked pretty generous. The crust almost reminded me of pizza dough, hahaha... All three items were carb-heavy, guaranteeing you’ll leave super full!! One bite and this simple-looking flatbread with just tomato and cheese turned out to be surprisingly delicious. You could tell from the bite that the crust was handmade, stretched and pulled to perfection~ So good!! And the price is adorable too!!

How could we end the meal without dessert?? Since this is an Italian restaurant, how could we miss out on Tiramisu Up~ Haha.... It looked quite homey. Of course, compared to the tiramisu I’ve had in Italy, it’s a little different, but the flavor was still good—strong on the booze, but not overwhelming or unpleasant.

Indeed, zizzi today suited our taste better than the other places we’ve tried recently. No wonder so many friends have recommended it!! And of course, we ended up coming back a few more times ccc~ Oh, and when paying the bill, there’s an additional 20% charge (for service fee and tax), so you don’t need to leave a separate tip on the table. That’s a pretty different practice compared to other Western countries.

Here’s what we spent today; multiply the pound amount by 50 to get the Taiwan dollar equivalent!! Also, the receipt included some mini promotions, encouraging diners to fill out an online survey for a chance to win a restaurant voucher. If you’re staying in the UK for a while, don’t miss out!! After eating and drinking our fill, we went for a walk along the nearby canal to digest~

When in the UK, you absolutely must check out this affordable and tasty Italian restaurant, zizzi!! Honestly, the UK does have good food—you just have to take some time to find and enjoy it. And one of the best ways we found to discover good eats in the UK is by following the locals, especially the elderly. British seniors know how to enjoy life and eat well. Following their lead often leads you to some affordable local delicacies!! I’ll share more about the delicious food we tried in the UK in future posts.

zizzi
Website:http://www.zizzi.co.uk/
Address: The Mailbox, 162-164 Wharfside St, Birmingham, West Midlands B1 1RL, UK
Phone: +44 121 632 1333
Business Hours: 11:30–23:00

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