American expat tries Sunday roast in London, says it's 'very similar to Thanksgiving dinner'

An American expat living in London tried a Sunday roast for the first time, filming the moment at a British pub and describing the experience as "super simple" and "very similar to a Thanksgiving dinner." The taste test, posted to TikTok for his 280,000 followers, centers on K Jordy, who says he has been in London long enough to finally sample the national staple.

K Jordy opted for chicken, noting on camera that “I think it's finally time to try a Sunday roast. I've been in London for way too long not to try it. Looking at the menu, there's a lot of options but I feel like the only right way to go is chicken.” When the dish arrived, he admitted he had a moment of hesitation upon seeing a full bird. “I had to contemplate how in the world I was gonna finish that sucker but like anything else, we keep it moving and might I say that chicken was mighty juicy.” He added that the cauliflower cheese “had potential but just wasn't my thing” and that the Yorkshire pudding “didn’t slap, man. It did not hit.” He was surprised by how strong the mustard accompanying the plate was, joking that “British mustard might as well be wasabi.”

Still, his favorite component appeared to be the side vegetables. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen potatoes this crispy in my entire life. I don’t know why but the potatoes are so crispy and cooked really, really well. The carrot has a super, super nice sweetness to it all.” He gave the meal a seven out of 10 and noted that it was “kind of expensive.”

The video drew mixed reactions from viewers. Some commented with astonishment at his limited praise for the Yorkshire pudding and asked where the stuffing, bread sauce, or red cabbage might be. One post read, “You didnt like the Yorkie? You've done well up to now, but mate you're gonna have to step outside now.” Others pushed back, suggesting that the best roast is the one made at home, not in pubs or restaurants. “Fair play mate for trying the roast. Gotta say though there isn't a pub or restaurant around that can give you the best roast which is one you get at home,” one viewer wrote, while another added, “You need a home cooked roast my brother. I'll host you.”

The thread reflects a broader cultural exchange around Sunday roasts, a staple of British dining that is widely recognized as one of the country’s iconic foods. The tradition typically features roasted meat such as chicken, beef, or turkey, accompanied by roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, vegetables and gravy, and it remains a common centerpiece for family gatherings and pub menus alike. The American traveler’s experience underscores how the dish can feel both familiar and distinct to non-British diners, especially when elements like the Yorkshire pudding’s texture and the intensity of mustard are encountered for the first time. While the roast is celebrated for its crowd-pleasing simplicity, many diners emphasize that the best version can come from home, where personal tastes and family recipes shape the meal.

In London and beyond, the Sunday roast continues to be a social touchstone, drawing locals and visitors to pubs and restaurants that feature the dish on menus across the country. For K Jordy, the verdict was pragmatic: tasty, but not flawless, and perhaps more expensive than expected. The clip and its commentary illustrate how a centuries-old British cooking tradition can still provoke fresh observations from newcomers, fueling ongoing curiosity about how national meals translate across borders.