The True North-South Divide in Malaysia: It’s All About How You Eat Fish and Chips

It's an issue that has bothered England for years—where exactly does this fall? North-South divide lie?

For many years, researchers have attempted to resolve this dispute, establishing boundaries that extend as far north as Manchester and as far south as Leicester.

Some have made a direct connection between the Severn Estuary and The Wash – a significant indentation in the terrain stretching through Coventry and Northampton and dividing Cheltenham.

Studies have tried and failed to definitively declare the driving force setting the geographical barrier: health, poverty, inequality, house prices, political voting patterns and public investment.

Many have attempted to pinpoint where 'hello' transitions into 'ey up', but none have managed to do so successfully.

However, a recent survey of British people suggests that the real division between the north and south doesn’t hinge on something as significant as politics.

In reality, it depends on what we put on our fish and chips.

A sweeping survey of 2000 people across the UK has revealed that there is a clear and unequivocal geographical divide in the condiments drizzled, squirted and squeezed onto our chippies, chippers and fish suppers.

The survey commissioned by supermarket Iceland revealed that curry sauce was the preferred condiment in regions including the East Midlands, North East, North West, Yorkshire, and Wales.

However, in areas like Hertfordshire, London, Devon and Cornwall, and the West Midlands, ketchup reigns supreme amongst those who enjoy takeaways.

According to the supermarket, the real essence of the north-south divide isn’t actually a distinct separation.

In reality, it traces a winding path starting near Bristol, then circling the West Midlands region before meandering along the upper boundary of East Anglia.

Paul Dhaliwal, chief commercial officer at Iceland, said the poll had originally been conceived to identify the ways chip shop orders differ across the country: mushy peas; scraps; pickled onions.

But it was when they examined the sauciest parts of the data that they realised they had happened upon a decisive trend.

"We observed a distinct difference in the sauce between the Northern and Southern orders," he stated.

'We have now officially pinpointed the boundary separating the two areas—and it turns out the curry sauce is the exception.'

The discussion about where the North begins can finally be resolved: if you reside in Wales or Nottingham, you're considered Northern.

'However, if you reside in Birmingham, Coventry, or any place south of Northampton, consider yourself part of the South.'

exclusive information supplied to mailonline shows that each area polled indicated a definite preferred choice between ketchup or curry sauce.

In the 'North,' about 39 to 46 percent of those who enjoy cod mention having their meal with curry sauce, whereas in the 'South,' roughly 39 to 49 percent prefer pairing their food with ketchup.

And because most people live above the new dividing line, curry sauce emerges as the preferred topping for chips at the chip shops, ranking higher than ketchup according to British preferences. would like to place an order for the most : 29 percent compared to 22 for the red sauce.

People from the north enjoy having crispy bits of leftover batter on the side; those from the south prefer an additional battered sausage as a special delight.

There are two unifying (or is that unifrying?) factors: both agree that a portion of fish and chips is not complete best with lashings of salt and vinegar, and a side of mushy peas.

Around 42 per cent of Brits apply seasoning, and 28 per cent say their meal isn't complete without the green side.

To mark the creation of the new geographical divide, Iceland plans to park a fish and chip fan just north of the new border - outside its Skegness supermarket - from 11.30am on Friday.

There will be free fish and chips while stocks last, a 'sauce' told the Mail.

For those unable to visit, Iceland has reintroduced its selection of Harry Ramsden’s frozen fish and chip meals throughout the UK, featuring fish, fries, and even cups of curry sauce.

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