A full English breakfast is a beloved British institution, cherished for its hearty portions, comforting flavours, and tradition of bringing people together around the breakfast table.
But for one American TikTok star, a key part of this iconic meal proved too much to handle.
Content creator Jack’s Dining Room recently visited Pellicci’s cafe in Bethnal Green, a legendary family-run spot that has been serving locals for over a century.
Keen to try what many call London’s best full English breakfast, Jack ordered the £16 plate loaded with all the essentials: bacon, sausage, baked beans, hashbrowns, mushrooms, fried tomato, toast, fried egg, and black pudding.
While Jack was full of praise for the meal overall, enjoying the combination of crispy bacon, runny egg, and hearty beans, he struggled with the black pudding.
Calling it “blood sausage”, he was hesitant to take a bite and ultimately admitted it wasn’t for him. Despite this, he still acknowledged the appeal of the full English.
He said: “This is one of those things that when you put everything together in one bite, it’s delicious.”
Jack’s review sparked a fiery debate in the TikTok comments, where British viewers passionately defended their national breakfast. Some Americans were sceptical, with one commenting: “You couldn’t pay me enough to eat that,” while another took aim at British cuisine in general.
However, Brits were quick to respond, arguing that the full English doesn’t need additional seasoning because “the meats already have strong flavours.”
One particularly amusing moment in the video was Jack’s decision to follow up his breakfast with dessert, confidently stating that “in England, it’s tradition to eat breakfast with dessert”, a claim that left many British viewers baffled.
Dating back to the Victorian era, the full English breakfast became a staple among workers who needed a hearty, energy-packed meal to start the day.
Today, it remains a weekend favourite, best enjoyed at a cosy cafe or a traditional pub.
The ingredients may vary slightly by region, with some areas adding fried bread, bubble and squeak, or even kippers, but the essence of the meal remains the same, warm, filling, and unapologetically indulgent.
Despite Jack’s reservations about black pudding, many TikTok users were won over by Pellicci’s breakfast, with one commenting: “Now that’s a proper brekkie!” and another admitting: “This is the first time besides fish and chips I’ve seen edible British food.”
