It changed people's perception of food. They might've thought spices were too strong.

40s and 50s food was simple to make and high in calories, like you're trying to survive in a zombie apocalypse or something. My grandparents didn't experience a lot of the post-war optimism a lot of the world seemed to have because Britain got fucked in a properly long-term way. Being an island that fought to the very end left it in a fairly unique position.

Small history rant over.

Like others have said, the war ‘locked in’ perceptions but there were years of supply shortages and government rationing of foodstuffs afterwards, ending in the early 50s.

Cookbooks were re-written at the time to emphasize economic meals like stews and soups that used a lot of vegetables you can grow in the garden and to use up scraps. Potatoes, leeks, and cabbage grew to feature much more heavily, meat was OUT as was sugar and most fruit… You try working varied and fun meals with those limits

So combined with the more ‘bland’ cuisine of the era and extensive rationing limitations, generations of households got used to cooking and eating the basic foods. Immigration and globalization has broadened the modern offerings, but the British classics’ are undeniably under spiced shades of grey and brown.

They probably forgot how exactly to add the spices.

Bleu cheese is good, but this is the first time in 43 years I've ever heard someone praise British cheese above Swiss or French cheeses.

Edit: looking it up that does look tasty. I'll have to find some nearby.

Edit 2: fucking hell. It's $20 a pound.... Gonna have to get some though, any suggestions on a wine pairing? Apparently I could get an entire wheel for $130, but I don't have a cellar to store it in, and there's no way I'd go through an entire Skyrim sized wheel of cheese.

If you like sharp cheeses, I would highly recommend the cheese shop in Cuba, NY. They make some excellent extra sharp white cheddar.

Though I haven't been there recently enough to offer any suggestions, London is packed with really good restaurants. You'll be able to find basically whatever you want there.

I don't know Southampton very well but I see there is a "The Pig..." there. I've been to one elsewhere and it was really good.

In terms of London, I'd say don't limit yourself to the south, you're never really more than 45 mins away from anywhere really. Brick Lane is a fun area, it's kind of hipstery/street food/vintage clothing-y but also has two of my favourite places.

SMOKESTAK - one of the best things to actually survive the barbecue revolution a few years ago. Everything is smoked on premises, no take out.

Beigel Shop. This is one of (if not the) oldest bagel joints in London. It's open 24/7, take out only, they only do three things (lox, chicken & salt beef). Have the salt beef with pickles and mustard, expect to queue, thank me later.

E. Thought Beigel was older, it's only from the 70s. E2. Found it, it was next door. It's from 1855, link updated

If it’s not too late for your visit, the most renowned curry house in soton is Kutis. I used to live near the city rather than in it and found myself more often than not heading out to the new forest to find a country pub to go for nice meals.

I would be shocked if that is true about the fish and chips coming after the curry. But, if it turns out to be true, I promise to repeat it very often.

Curry. I'm being totally serious. The first curry shop predates both WWII and the first fish and chippery in GB.

Chicken Tikka Masala appears to have credibly originated in the UK. It's probably as British as Beef Stroganoff is Russian (okay, looking it up, it looks like the latter may be at least a bit of a myth, but it gets my point across).

I was there 7 years ago. I love bread and all forms of buns. I am an absolute fanatic. I cannot eat English bread, tho. It's straight up vile to me. :< Like, I cannot say anything bad about everything else in there. But the bread is so terrible...