While they're certainly not as popular as they were in Victorian times – when the River Thames teemed with the fish, and eels cooked and cooled in their own gelatinous stock were a cheap city favourite – there’s still a place for this snack in many Londoners' hearts. In fact, it would be remiss to visit an East End pie and mash shop without tucking into a plate piled high with pie, mashed potatoes and jellied eels.

Liked this? Click the Like button above. And click the Follow button above for more great stories from loveFOOD

Now discover Europe's weirdest foods that are actually delicious

Last updated by Natasha Lovell-Smith.

The most bizarre traditional British dishes of all time, ranked