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In case you haven’t visited Dublin, there’s a great likelihood you’ve by no means heard of town’s beloved takeaway dish, the spice bag. This fusion of Irish and Chinese language flavors has turn into considerably of a cultural phenomenon in Eire during the last ten to fifteen years.
A mixture of spice-covered rooster, fries, and greens, spice luggage are vastly completely different from the basic Irish dishes which might be in style on my Dublin meals excursions, but they’re simply as tasty! On this information, I’ll break down the story behind this new-age treasure and allow you to in on the place you’ll discover the perfect Dublin spice luggage.
The Historical past & Evolution of the Spice Bag
Picture credit score: Xian Road Meals
Though spice luggage are nonetheless a comparatively new invention, there’s nonetheless some dispute concerning the backstory. Probably the most generally accepted model of occasions is that it originated in The Sunflower Chinese language takeaway in south Dublin round 2006. Apparently, the workers members mixed the dish’s key substances to make an after-hours snack that wasn’t initially featured on the menu.
It’s troublesome to pinpoint simply how the recognition of spice luggage in Eire surged within the following years, nevertheless it wasn’t lengthy till it turned a signature dish in Chinese language takeaways. Lately, it’s greater than your typical fast-food providing, even showing on some sit-down restaurant menus.
In early 2025, the time period ‘spice bag’ was added to the Oxford English Dictionary, and the meals supply app ‘Deliveroo’ has even steered making a Nationwide Spice Bag Day!
What’s in a Spice Bag? Components & Preparation
Dublin spice luggage are made with quite easy substances and preparation methods, although the result’s a daring mix of irresistible flavors.
The principle elements are crispy salt and chili-covered shredded or battered rooster and chunk fries, recognized regionally as ‘chips.’ Normally, these components will probably be blended with an assortment of onions and peppers, although some institutions additionally embody chilis. Choose eateries additionally supply vegan alternate options, the place the rooster is swapped for tofu or mushrooms.
All the things is roofed in a pleasant vary of seasonings, comparable to salt, Chinese language five-spice, garlic, and chili. You’ll normally have your alternative of dipping sauce, with curry being the most typical.
When ordered from a takeaway, the substances will probably be deep-fried, although it’s potential to make more healthy alternate options at dwelling with a shop-bought spice combine utilizing an oven or air fryer.
The place to Get the Greatest Spice Luggage in Dublin
San Sab
Picture credit score: San Sab
San Sab was voted the perfect place to get spice luggage in Dublin, so I couldn’t wait to get my arms on one in every of their Thai-style variations after I first arrived within the metropolis! It’s a preferred spot for each sit-down meals and takeaways, and I liked its darkish, up to date decor.
I had excessive hopes, and the mix of evenly battered rooster items and crispy fries definitely didn’t let me down. What I liked most was the seasoning combine they used, which was bursting with candy, salty, and spicy notes.
San Sab – Dublin D09 C2W0 – Open each Monday and Sunday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm, Thursday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and each Friday and Saturday from 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
Xian Road Meals
Xian Road Meals is arguably probably the most well-known Dublin spice bag spot, having gone viral in recent times. Once I noticed the prolonged line of consumers queuing exterior this compact fast-food joint, I couldn’t assist however need to strive their spice bag for myself.
As an alternative of their basic rooster possibility, I went for the tofu. Its gentle style meant it soaked up all of the daring, savory flavors from the spice combine. It tasted even higher when dunked into the signature creamy curry sauce.
Xian Road Meals – Dublin D02 DX39 – Open day-after-day from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am.
The Sunflower
I needed to strive the fare within the takeaway that’s stated to be the house of the spice bag, so I made my method out of the middle to swing by The Sunflower, a bustling fast-food spot.
Whereas I had deliberate to strive their conventional rooster spice bag, I used to be intrigued by the prawn model, which I hadn’t seen wherever else. Deep-fried prawns are one thing I really like as they’re, however the fiery and fragrant spices took issues to a different degree, as did the nutty satay sauce.
The Sunflower – Dublin D6W DK70 – Open each Monday to Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm and each Thursday to Sunday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Crimson Rice
Crimson Rice was someplace I’d by no means heard of earlier than I arrived in Dublin, nevertheless it got here extremely really useful by a bunch of locals I met throughout my keep. It’s a pint-sized takeaway somewhat out of the middle, however belief me, it’s price making an effort to return right here!
I went for the spice tray, a spice bag served in a field. The flavors had been sensational, from the crunchy fries and tangy onions to the juicy rooster items.
Crimson Rice – Dublin D6W V029 – Open each Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am and each Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 pm to 12:30 am.
Summer season Inn
Summer season Inn has a number of takeaway branches throughout Dublin, all of which have been acclaimed for his or her pleasant spice luggage.
I noticed the dry, scorching rooster possibility, and it was much like a regular spice bag, with candy peppers and tender fries. Nevertheless, it got here with further spicy rooster coated in a aromatic dry rub.
Summer season Inn – Dublin D08 V8W2 – Open each Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am and each Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 pm to 12:30 am.
How Spice Luggage Grew to become an Web Sensation
Picture credit score: Summer season Inn
The common-or-garden Dublin spice bag is a trademark of recent Irish delicacies, and its cultural affect and evolution have been the topic of numerous on-line discussions and evaluations. On platforms like Reddit, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, each Irish and worldwide foodies usually share their ideas and proposals on this legendary dish.
There are unending debates about the perfect locations to get spice luggage in Dublin, whereas others look into how they evaluate to different Irish fast-food favorites. In case you’re something like me, this can depart you with a prolonged listing of takeaways to check out!
Remaining Ideas & Suggestions
Even in case you’re usually drawn to extra refined meals and flavors, making an attempt a Dublin spice bag at the very least as soon as throughout your go to is one thing you gained’t need to miss! For the whole expertise, check out a handful of various institutions and group your spice bag with a crisp Irish lager or creamy Guinness.
Regularly Requested Questions (FAQs)
What’s a spice bag in Dublin?
A Dublin spice bag consists of salt and chili shredded rooster, fries, and greens tossed in a flavorful mix of spices and seasonings and deep-fried.
The place can I discover the perfect spice bag in Dublin?
There are fixed debates about the place to seek out Dublin’s finest spice bag, although spots like San Sab and Xian Road Meals typically come out on prime.
What’s the distinction between a spice bag and a spice field?
Relying on the place you’re eating, a spice bag and spice field include the identical dish, although the latter will probably be a lot bigger and served in a pizza-style field. Nevertheless, some spice containers include the same old spice bag elements together with different snacks like rooster balls and spring rolls.
Are there vegetarian or vegan spice bag choices?
Choose eateries have vegetarian or vegan choices, which usually use tofu or mushrooms as an alternative of rooster.
Can I get a spice bag delivered in Dublin?
Most Chinese language takeaways in Dublin supply supply in case you want to order in a spice bag.
Sources:
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Dublin meals excursions. Consuming Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/dublin
San Sab. (n.d.). San Sab Thai restaurant. https://www.sansab.ie/
Xi’an Road Meals. (n.d.). Xi’an Road Meals Dublin. https://www.xianstreetfooddublin.ie/
Sunflower Chinese language Takeaway. (n.d.). Sunflower Dublin – Supply. https://sunflowerdublin.com/supply?utm_source=GMBwebsite&utm_medium=natural&utm_campaign=Google+My+Enterprise
Crimson Rice. (n.d.). Crimson Rice Chinese language restaurant. http://www.redrice.ie/wp/
Summer season Inn Chinese language. (n.d.). Summer season Inn Chinese language takeaway. https://summerinnchinese.ie/
