From Canada to Guatemala: Here's where you can find a spice bag abroad
There's nothing better than the taste of home while abroad, whether you're simply on your holidays or if you're an expat who frequently brings a suitcase of Tayto and Barry's (or Lyons) tea bags through the airport.
What was once a humble takeaway treat only available on the Emerald Isle, the spice bag is slowly making its way around the globe. They can now be found in the most random parts of the world, like Guatemala, for example. Who would have thought!?
We here at Extra.ie have decided to compile a list of countries and eateries where you can find the Irish delicacy while on your travels. Bon appétit! Spice bag. Photo: Getty.
Craving the good stuff while in the States? Don't worry, there are several cities across the US that have the spice bag on their menu. Sure, most Americans have some percentage of Irish in them!
If you're visiting or living in Washington DC, Irish Channel Restaurant & Pub has got you covered (Caitríona Perry, this one's for you).
Located at the Fairfield Inn & Suites downtown, you can grab a spice bag for some $17, and if you're feeling fancy, the restaurant will add shrimp for an additional $6.
The highly-rated bar describes the dish as 'an Irish favourite'. The description reads: 'Heavily seasoned fries, crispy chicken, peppers, sauteéd onions and jalapenos served in traditional Irish style.'
Staying on the East Coast, New York City is, of course, the home of plenty of Irish pubs, but Molly's Shebeen Bar + Restaurant seems to be the most popular.
The restaurant offers the Irish spice bag for $18 as an appetiser, but also serves some other delightful Irish grub for dinner, like shepherd's pie for $25, or Irish lamb stew for $29. We're sure the pints are grand too!
Molly's is located on 3rd Avenue, just a short walk from Gramercy Park.
Unfortunately, the West Coast leaves much to be desired if you're looking for a spice bag, except if you find yourself in San Francisco!
Casement's Bar, located in the Mission District, offers a slightly different version of the delicacy for just $12, or $17 if you decide to add chicken goujons. View this post on Instagram
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'The Spice Bag' is described here as 'spicy fries, with sautéed peppers, onions, ginger and Szechuan with Irish curry sauce'.
If you don't find yourself a fan of this dish, the bar also offers a beef and Guinness stew for $20 or a chicken curry for $18.
If you find yourself craving a spice bag in Toronto, BOBO Bento Box will be your best friend.
For just CA$14.99, you can order the spice bag under the Irish-Chinese dishes on the menu. And if you're feeling something else, the restaurant offers curry chips for only $7.99, a 3 in 1 for $12.99, or a 4 in 1 for $14.99.
If you want to go the extra mile, BOBO Bento Box also offer the 'All in 1', which is fries, rice, chicken, shrimp, calamari and curry sauce. Talk about fancy!
On the other side of Canada, you will find the very delightful Emerald Dragon. Advertised as 'Vancouver's first Irish style Chinese', the spice bag might just look like the closest thing to the real deal back at home.
A spice bag in Emerald Dragon will set you back $20, while their munchbox, containing salt and chilli chips, salt and chilli chicken balls, egg fried rice, spring rolls, and a large curry sauce, will cost you a whopping $45.
Also in Vancouver is the popular Super Smash Burgers, who claim they have the spice bag done 'just right'. For $19.50, the takeaway even import the famous McDonnells curry sauce from Ireland!
The takeaway also supplies the food to the Irish-owned and run Donnellan's pub downtown.
Yes, really. The Irish spice bag has made it to Central America!
If you happen to find yourself in the small city of Antigua, just over an hour's drive from Guatemala City, you will find The Snug, run by Dungannon native Rory Fox. @megnoticing spice bags in Guate – what a day #creatorsearchinsights #irishchinesefood #spicebag #guatemala #guatemalatravel #antiguaguatemala #irish #irishtiktok ♬ Manchild – Sabrina Carpenter
The city's only authentic Irish bar boasts a 360-degree view of volcanoes. What can be better than that? A spice bag, of course!
If you are living in or even just visiting Sydney, P.J. O'Brien's on King Street offers the spice bag for A$23.50, with an additional $4 for double curry sauce.
In Molly Malone's Irish Tavern, located in Surry Hills, 'The Craic Pack' spice bag will set you back $24, offering 'fried chicken breast, potatoes, onions, peppers, and hot chips'.
If in Perth, you will find a spice bag on the menu of Durty Nelly's Irish Pub. Located on Murray Street, the pub has been pouring 'the best' pints in the town since 1998.
A spice bag from Durty Nelly's will set you back $26 (that's just under €15), and it comes with McDonnells curry sauce. Not too bad!
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