●       As we celebrate National Fish and Chip Day, new data from Just Eat reveals that the North East orders the most fish and chips, closely followed by Scotland and the West Midlands

●       Vinegar and curry sauce are the most popular condiments in the North East, while Londoners favour ketchup 

New data from Just Eat reveals the North East as the top region of fish and chip lovers, making the most orders from fish and chip shops across the UK. The research, to mark National Fish and Chip Day, found that a whopping fifty thousand orders have been made in the region so far this year via Just Eat, with Scotland and the West Midlands following closely behind.

According to Just Eat data this year, cod is by far the most popular takeaway fish, followed by haddock. Not only has the North East made the most orders from fish and chip shops, it is also the most likely region to order fish and chips rather than other dishes with 73 per cent of North East respondents choosing it as their go to order.

More broadly, some prefer a fish-less fish supper, with only half (54 per cent) of UK adults choosing fish and chips when they order from a chippy. The top alternative orders were battered sausage and chips (8 per cent), followed closely by burger and chips (6 per cent), and pie and chips (6 per cent).

Across the nation, vinegar is the most popular condiment, chosen by 29 per cent of fish and chip shop customers. The topping is particularly popular among the over 55s (42 per cent), in contrast to those aged 18-34, who prefer ketchup (20 per cent). In contrast, some of those surveyed opted to push the boat out, with sweet chilli sauce, taco sauce and salad cream as their preferred choice. However, 1 in 10 respondents said that they preferred their fish supper without any condiments at all.

The research also unveils regional differences when it comes to Brits preferred condiments, with the North East coming out on top for both vinegar (40 per cent) and curry sauce (20 per cent). London was the only region that preferred ketchup with their fish and chips, with 21 per cent choosing the condiment.

The ideal chips to accompany a fish supper are fluffy chips, with 82 per cent preferring these over soggy chips (18 per cent). Chips also need to be thick-cut (74 per cent) rather than thin-cut (26 per cent), although over a third (34 per cent) of 18-34s want a thinner chip. Meanwhile, 68 per cent want a crunchy chip while 32 per cent want something more squidgy. Chip shop customers in the North East are more likely to want a crunchy chip (71 per cent). 

The insights from Just Eat show that a fish and chip dinner remains a staple of the weekly takeaway,with over ten thousand orders made per week. Friday, traditionally the day for eating a fish supper, continues to be the most popular day for making an order.

Gills Fish & Chips is a well-known restaurant chain in the North East, with several shops located across Tyne and Wear. Opened to the public in 1971, it has been run by three generations of the Gill family ever since. Owner, Sonny Gill, said: “It has been a tough year for the fish and chip industry, but encouraging to see that up and down the country, there is still a huge appetite for what we serve. The variety of orders that we’re seeing across our locations in the north east is incredible, and, with Just Eat’s support, we’re grateful that we can continue to deliver to our customers across the region.”

Other popular fish and chip shops in the region include V Gormans Fish & Chips, B & H Pizzeria & Chippy and Joes Takeaway.

Overall, on the Just Eat platform, fish and chips rank as the seventh most popular UK cuisine – up from eighth place in 2022. Last year, Just Eat expanded into the North East with a new office in Sunderland featuring state-of-the-art facilities.

Mark Finch, Director of UK Account Management at Just Eat said: “Fish and Chips have a special place in the nation’s hearts, and that’s no exception on the Just Eat platform. We’re dedicated to providing our customers across the UK with the ultimate convenience and choice, so it’s incredible to see the sheer variety of orders up and down the country, from curry sauce to mushy peas. None of this would be possible without local fish and chip shops, and we’re proud to support the UK’s chippies and help get customers the food they love.”