In an exciting culinary crossover, the United Kingdom has welcomed the unusual concept of strawberries served in a sandwich, a treat that is celebrated in Japan as "furutsu sando." Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched a limited-edition strawberries and cream sandwich filled with whipped cream cheese and fresh strawberries on sweetened bread, which quickly became an instant hit, selling out as the top sandwich in sales shortly after its launch.
Though you might think of strawberries and cream as an iconic British dish dating back to the 1800s, the concept of pairing fruit with bread is nothing new in Japan. The country's fruit sandwiches have gained international fame through social media platforms like TikTok, where tourists clamor for the version available at Japanese convenience store chain 7-Eleven. Celebrities from Japan's haute cuisine scene, like Shuko Oda, a chef at Koya restaurant in London, emphasize the pretty presentation and delightful textures of these fruity creations, which typically feature fillings of strawberries, clementines, or other seasonal fruits.
While the notion of a fruit-filled sandwich may seem odd to traditionalists, the UK has its own variations that blend childhood nostalgia with savory and sweet elements. For instance, banana sandwiches—either sliced or mashed—have long been a feature of UK lunchboxes, alongside coronation chicken sandwiches that often include dried fruits like apricots. But how do we define a sandwich? The Oxford English Dictionary describes sandwiches as consisting of two slices of bread with a filling, but international cuisine challenges this definition daily with innovative takes.
For instance, the French croque monsieur is a gooey delight of melted cheese and ham, while the Vietnamese bánh mì transforms a simple baguette artfully packed with meats, pickles, and spices into a gourmet experience. In New Orleans, the po' boy showcases Louisiana seafood specialties, while arepas, translated into sandwich form with shredded chicken and avocado, stretch boundaries even further.
Now, for UK fans inspired by the viral strawberry sando, culinary creativity opens the door to explore global flavors, making the world of sandwiches a delicious adventure filled with infinite possibilities.
Though you might think of strawberries and cream as an iconic British dish dating back to the 1800s, the concept of pairing fruit with bread is nothing new in Japan. The country's fruit sandwiches have gained international fame through social media platforms like TikTok, where tourists clamor for the version available at Japanese convenience store chain 7-Eleven. Celebrities from Japan's haute cuisine scene, like Shuko Oda, a chef at Koya restaurant in London, emphasize the pretty presentation and delightful textures of these fruity creations, which typically feature fillings of strawberries, clementines, or other seasonal fruits.
While the notion of a fruit-filled sandwich may seem odd to traditionalists, the UK has its own variations that blend childhood nostalgia with savory and sweet elements. For instance, banana sandwiches—either sliced or mashed—have long been a feature of UK lunchboxes, alongside coronation chicken sandwiches that often include dried fruits like apricots. But how do we define a sandwich? The Oxford English Dictionary describes sandwiches as consisting of two slices of bread with a filling, but international cuisine challenges this definition daily with innovative takes.
For instance, the French croque monsieur is a gooey delight of melted cheese and ham, while the Vietnamese bánh mì transforms a simple baguette artfully packed with meats, pickles, and spices into a gourmet experience. In New Orleans, the po' boy showcases Louisiana seafood specialties, while arepas, translated into sandwich form with shredded chicken and avocado, stretch boundaries even further.
Now, for UK fans inspired by the viral strawberry sando, culinary creativity opens the door to explore global flavors, making the world of sandwiches a delicious adventure filled with infinite possibilities.
