Torontonians are falling hard for the Irish spice bag. If you’ve been to Ireland, or maybe hung out with Irish friends long enough, you’ve likely heard about this late-night, Chinese-Irish takeaway classic! Think crispy, deep-fried chicken strips (sometimes breaded) and fries tossed with peppers, onions, and salt-and-chilli seasoning, often with a side of curry or satay sauce, typically tossed in a brown paper bag.
@jamieharkin2 Spice bag in Canada 🇮🇪🇨🇦 #spicebag #irishfood #irish #canada #chinese @Clement Leung ♬ original sound – Jamie Harkin
In the mid-2000s, the dish took off at Chinese takeaways in Ireland and has since gone global, popping up in far-flung cities (and all over Insta feeds). It’s greasy and messy, but super delicious, so, the kind of thing you should try at least once.
Toronto now has a few amazing options if you’re craving this spicy paper-bag treat.
BOBO Bento Box
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The spice bag here comes in small ($15.99) and large ($18.99), and is made from fries, chicken, peppers, onions, house spice and curry sauce. It’s a near-match for the late-night takeaway you’d find at an Irish chippy! BOBO also serves Irish-Chinese staples like curry chips (fries + curry sauce), “3-in-1” (fries + rice + curry), “4-in-1” (fries + rice + chicken + curry sauce) and “All-in-1” (fries + rice + chicken + shrimp + calamari + curry sauce). If you’re heading over with friends, they also serve share-sized Spice Boxes (or devour yourself if you’re super hungry). It’s a top pick on local Reddit threads, too. 98 Fort York Blvd.
McVeigh’s Irish Pub
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Some customers consider McVeigh’s to have the best spice bag this side of the Atlantic! The pub has weekly spice-bag specials as well as a permanent menu listing for a pub-style spice version ($26 will get you chicken fingers, fries, spice bag, onions, red and green peppers and their special spice-bag seasoning). Pair it with a pint and call it a night! 124 Church St.
The West Cork Irish Pub | The Wolfe Tone Irish Pub
On Takeaway Thursdays, The West Cork (701 Queen St E.) offers authentic Chinese-Irish spice bags alongside other Irish chippy staples, like 4-in-1 dishes bursting with full cheese curry chips and taco fries ($16.95). You can also find the special on Tuesdays at their sister spot, The Wolfe Tone Irish Pub (1961 Queen St E). It’s a perfect late-night order if you’re pub-hopping on Queen East!
