If you've never clutched a warm, fragrant paper bag of salty, spicy, crunchy goodness on a drizzly Dublin evening, have you even lived in Ireland? Equal parts comfort food and culinary chaos, this Chinese-Irish hybrid has won the hearts (and stomachs) of late-night revellers, hungover students, and curious foodies alike.
We’ve hit the streets (and the chippers) to bring you the ultimate guide to the best spice bags Dublin has to offer, from the OGs of the Northside to some surprisingly posh takes south of the Liffey. So buckle up your taste buds, because things are about to get hot and heavy (on the five spice).
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What Is A Spice Bag?
Basically: crispy shredded chicken, golden chips (fries, if you must), sautéed onions and peppers all tossed together in a glorious mix of Chinese spices, chilli, and maybe a sneaky shake of MSG. Now, wrap that all up in a paper bag and give it a good shake until the flavours become inseparable friends.
While recipes can vary slightly depending on where you get them, the essentials remain consistent. It’s that unique fusion of Chinese takeaway staples and Irish chipper culture that makes it so addictive.
Where Did Spice Bags Come From?
Like many of the best food inventions, the origin of the spice bag is a little mysterious and a lot disputed. What we do know is this: it was born in Dublin sometime in the early 2010s and quickly went viral - first locally, then nationally.
Many credit the invention to a Chinese takeaway in Templeogue, but there are other contenders around Dublin who claim to have shaken up the first ever batch. Regardless of who made the first one, its rise was meteoric.
Where To Find The Best Spice Bags In Dublin
1. SanSab
- Location: 84 Drumcondra Road Upper, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, D09 C2W0
- Price: €10.95
- What's included: crispy chicken fillet or tofu and potato chips, San Sab's secret Thai spice mix, Spanish onions, red peppers and green scallions
Nestled in the heart of Rathmines, San Sab’s Thai-inspired twist on the classic Irish spice bag has become the stuff of legend. Their signature San Sab Spice Bag is a viral sensation, and for good reason. Choose between crispy, golden, in-house breaded chicken fillet or crunchy tofu (for vegetarians), both tossed with proper hand-cut potato chips, sweet red peppers, sharp Spanish onions, and scallions for that perfect crunch.
But the real secret? Their top-secret Thai spice mix - a magical blend of sweet, spicy, and salty flavours that brings serious Southeast Asian heat to your Irish comfort food cravings. At €10.95, it’s a spice bag that’s worth every fiery, flavour-packed bite. It’s not just tasty; it’s been voted the best in Ireland, and we wouldn’t argue with that.
Is this what the best spice bag looks like?
2. Red Rice Chinese Takeaway
- Location: 155 Kimmage Road Lower, Harold's Cross, Dublin, D6W V029
- Price: €9.40
- What's included: crispy chips, shredded or battered chicken, and fried onions, all seasoned with a blend of spices
In the quieter stretch of Lower Kimmage Road, Red Rice Chinese Takeaway has quietly built a reputation as one of Dublin’s low-key spice bag gems. It’s not flashy, not particularly large, and doesn’t make a big song and dance online, but among those in the know, Red Rice has earned serious respect for delivering big flavour in a small paper tray.
What you’ll find here isn’t technically a spice bag, but rather a spice tray - a compact, neatly packed box filled with golden fries, crisp battered chicken chunks, and sautéed onions and peppers, all generously dusted in Red Rice’s signature salt-and-chilli mix. It’s a different format, but the same crave-worthy formula: hot, crispy, spicy, and just greasy enough to scratch that late-night itch. The seasoning leans toward savoury and slightly smoky, with just enough chilli heat to keep things interesting, without overwhelming the taste buds.
3. Xi'an Street Food
- Location: 28 Anne Street South, D02 DX39 and 16 North Earl Street, North City, D01 P7R8
- Price: €12.50
- What's included: steamed or crispy chicken, or tofu, with your choice of curry, statay or sweet and sour sauce
On the hunt for the best spice bag in Dublin city centre? Xi’an Street Food has carved out a reputation for bold flavours. With branches on Anne Street South and North Earl Street, this popular casual spot takes inspiration from the cuisine of Xi’an in northwest China, known for its hand-pulled noodles, fragrant spice blends, and unapologetic heat. But while their Biang Biang noodles might be the main event for some, their spice bag has earned a cult following of its own.
What sets Xi’an Street Food in Dublin’s spice bag apart is its punchy, Szechuan-influenced seasoning. Expect a generous portion of crisped-to-perfection chicken chunks, golden fries, stir-fried onions and peppers, and a liberal scattering of chilli flakes and crushed peanuts. It’s spicy, savoury, and slightly sweet all at once - hearty enough to feed two, and messy in the most delightful way.
Xi'an Street Food fans love the balance of crunch and fire.
4. Hong Kee
- Location: 13 Prospect Road, Botanic, Dublin, D09 W0X9
- Price: €9.90
- What's included: chicken wings, balls or nuggets, or chilli pork ribs, or tofu, with chips and mixed vegetables in a spice mix
Ask any spice bag aficionado where to find the real deal, and chances are Hong Kee will come up, and you'll find it located on Parnell Street, right in the heart of the city’s unofficial Asian food quarter. Here, the chicken is expertly seasoned and cooked to a crisp without sacrificing juiciness (and you can choose from wings, nuggets or balls), while the chips are cut just thick enough to stay fluffy inside with a perfectly fried exterior.
The wok hei (that slightly smoky char from high-heat wok cooking) adds depth, and the peppers and onions are never soggy. Hong Kee also caters to vegetarians with its delicious tofu edition that features all the spice and moreishness of the meat versions, never compromising on flavour.
5. Sunflower Chinese Takeaway
- Location: Unit 4 Orwell Park Dale, Orwell Park Glen, Templeogue, D6W DK70
- Price: €9
- What's included: chicken or prawns, chops and mixed vegetables
If spice bags had a hall of fame, Sunflower Chinese
Takeaway in Templeogue would be its inaugural inductee.
Often credited as the birth mother of the spice bag, this spot has
held on to its crown for years, and with good reason. It serves up
perfectly crispy, deep-fried chicken fillet (not stringy bits),
crackly chips, and plenty of fresh peppers and onions. All of it
gets a good shake in that classic spice dust that ignited the trend
back in 2006 at this very takeaway.
The accolades speak volumes: crowned Ireland’s Best Spice Bag at the Just Eat National Takeaway Awards in 2016, and still regularly praised as the original and best. Yes, it's a bit of a pilgrimage (Templeogue isn’t quite the city centre), but many locals and hungry travellers say it’s worth every crispy forkful.
Time to get up close and personal with the spice bag.
6. Summer Inn
- Location: various locations across Dublin
- Price: prices vary depending on location, but typically start from €10.30
- What's included: everything from dry hot chicken to chicken tenders or curry, with the usual chips and vegetables
When it comes to spice bags, Dublin's Summer Inn has a delicious offering that you can find across Tallaght, Swords, Blanchardstown, Cabra, Christchurch, Finglas, Palmerstown, Beaumont, and Ballyfermot. This means that you'll never be far from perfectly golden chips, tender shredded chicken coated in a crispy batter, and that signature mix of peppers, onions, and fiery seasoning come together in a glorious, steaming-hot tangle.
While it's home to the famous 'chicken curry wrappo', it also whips up the kind of spice bag that hits all the right notes: crispy, salty, spicy, and a little addictive. The seasoning blend is their closely guarded secret, but word on the street is that it's what keeps people coming back for more, especially after a night out. And if you're feeling bold, ask for extra spice, they'll happily oblige.
7. Mr. Chen
- Location: 10 Terenure Road West, Terenure, Dublin 6W, D6W RH22
- Price: from €10
- What's included: crispy chicken, chips, peppers and onions, with the option to add extra sauces
Perched on Terenure Road West, Mr. Chen might look like your classic neighbourhood Chinese takeaway, but for locals in the know, it’s a spice bag destination. It’s all about quality and customisation. The base is spot-on: crispy chicken, golden chips, and a fresh, colourful mix of peppers and onions, all tossed in a fiery seasoning.
But what really sets it apart is how tailored the experience can be. You can choose from up to eight extra sauces - from hot garlic and satay to curry, sweet chilli, and even black bean - allowing you to dial in the exact flavour profile you’re craving. Every order of the spice bag even comes with a drink included, making it one of the best value-for-money takeaway options in Terenure.
Add your favourite sauce to your spice bag for an extra €3.
For more, check out our guide to fried chicken in Dublin.
