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Original poster

M & S Fishermans Pie issue

169 replies

GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 19:56

Bought a M & S Fishermans Pie tonight and was really looking forward to it. Got myself all set up, TV, drink and on the couch after a long week. To my utter astonishment there were only pieces of white fish in there. Checked the box and its true, they have only put cod in. So its basically cod, sauce and mash.

To my mind, Fisherman's Pie must contain at least smoked haddock, succulent prawns and chunks of cod all in a nice sauce. So, am i being unreasonable? Must a Fishermans Pie contain more than one type of fish or is this another case of food outlets trying to completely reduce the cost of ingredients and hope we dont notice? I feel conned!

OP posts:
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6
HelenaWaiting · 12/12/2025 20:58

Eastar · 12/12/2025 20:29

I thought Fishermans Pie would just be white fish and Fish pie would be an assortment.
I prefer Tesco Finest to Bigams fish pie.

No, it's Admiral's pie that contains just white fish. Fish pie and fisherman's pie are exactly the same thing.

Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:35

@northernstars and scallops!

OP posts:
fruitpastille · 12/12/2025 20:33

Fisherman's pie sounds like it would be less fancy than a proper fish pie - I'd always check the label. Charlie Bighams/Tesco finest/waitrose one are all nice and include a range of fish/ prawns.

I love egg but it's a big fat NO from me in a fish pie.

Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:31

..and it didnt fill me up despite being the one for two people

OP posts:
northernstars · 12/12/2025 20:31

We get their fish pie that has salmon, haddock and prawns.

M & S Fishermans Pie issue
Eastar · 12/12/2025 20:29

I thought Fishermans Pie would just be white fish and Fish pie would be an assortment.
I prefer Tesco Finest to Bigams fish pie.

Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:27

@HomeStress thats an interesting point! The plot thickens then.....

OP posts:
GeorgieFG · 12/12/2025 20:27

Att least 2 types of fish, normally 3. What a swizz.

BuoyedWithOptimisticIgnorance · 12/12/2025 20:26

The Fisherman's not a fussy eater, is he?

Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:26

Notmyreality · 12/12/2025 20:25

Of all the things I’ve read on MN today this is hands down the most shocking.

What? That a fishermans pie can contain only cod :-)?

OP posts:
HomeStress · 12/12/2025 20:26

GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:13

Exactly!

Show quote history

I said the opposite though. That I wouldn’t necessarily expect a fisherman’s pie to contain anything otherthan white fish because the term fishermen’s pie(As opposed to the more common fish pie) would make me think that it wouldn’t include multiple types of fish and would likely be cheaper and white fish based. A fish pie however I would buy with the expectation of smoked haddock, cod, salmon and prawns.

Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:26

FreeOnFriday · 12/12/2025 20:23

It clearly states what it contains. You need to read the packet in future. 😬

Show quote history

Yes it states it only contains cod - so in my mind it cant be a Fishermans Pie.

OP posts:
Notmyreality · 12/12/2025 20:25

Of all the things I’ve read on MN today this is hands down the most shocking.

Ukholidaysaregreat · 12/12/2025 20:23

I agree! Should have smoked haddock, boiled egg chopped up, capers, and if fancy- prawns! If lacking any of these integral ingredients said pie should be ashamed.

FreeOnFriday · 12/12/2025 20:23

GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:17

That sounds more like it :-)! So we are in agreement - M & S are pulling the wool over our eyes with their Fishermans Pie.

It clearly states what it contains. You need to read the packet in future. 😬

TiredofLDN · 12/12/2025 20:23

Just realised the word “succulent” makes me mentally gip.

Ineffable23 · 12/12/2025 20:22

I would expect fish pie to have multiple types of fish and fisherman's pie to potentially only have one. I wouldn't expect them to be interchangeable. But I have no idea where that expectation came from.

Happyjoe · 12/12/2025 20:21

Theunamedcat · 12/12/2025 20:08

Was it marketed as fisherman's pie or fish pie? Fisherman's I would expect more than one type of fish

Ha, amused me because I would've thought it was the other way round :-) I always thought it was called fish pie and that M&S have got around it calling it something sounding a lot more fancier.

Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:20

@Greggsit yes it does say only cod on the top but i looked at the title only on the side as it is stacked. The issue is if it says its Fishermans Pie then it cant only have one type of fish in it, which others agree on

OP posts:
JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 12/12/2025 20:19

The one you liked to clearly saying cod in sauce right under the name, so you don’t need to check the ingredients to see that!

Smidge001 · 12/12/2025 20:18

GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:08

@Greggsit no it was definetly Fishermans Pie, not Cod in mornay sauce. I saw that one there too

YANBU, as i do think it should contain several fish ingredients, but having followed your link, the packaging really clearly says, (literally underneath the word Fisherman's Pie in fairly decent sized font), that it is Cod in Mornay sauce.

So I think M&S are being pretty open about it - it's not as if you have to venture to the ingredients underneath the packet to see this. But yes, would be better if they just called it a Cod Fish Pie to be super clear.

meganorks · 12/12/2025 20:18

To me fish pie and fisherman's pie are
Inter-changeable and I would only expect white fish, white sauce and mash. Beyond that though there is a lot of variation so I would always check. For example, I dont like salmon and i think prawns and mussels etc go a bit tough.
With something so variable I'm not sure why you wouldn't check it was what you wanted.

Original poster
GeorgeA12 · 12/12/2025 20:17

That sounds more like it :-)! So we are in agreement - M & S are pulling the wool over our eyes with their Fishermans Pie.

OP posts:
MinnieCauldwell · 12/12/2025 20:17

I used to buy this in the 80s. It contained 2 types of fish and prawns, mash had a crispy cheese crust.