From Guinness to Paul Mescal, Irish exports are pretty popular in this country. And their popular takeaway dishes are no different, as the spice bag is slowly making its way over to the UK too. This delicacy fuses Irish and Chinese flavours, usually made up of crispy fried chicken, chips and spices, paired with curry sauce.
Wondering where to get a spice bag in London? We've rounded up all our favourite locations, from family-run takeaways to charming pubs cooking up a feast - so you can indulge in the flavours without having to catch a flight.
Find out more about how Scarlett curated this guide in our Editorial Policy.
Best London Spice Bags: Handpicked By Locals
1. Belushi's
- Location: multiple locations
- Price: from £11.95
- Best for: sports fans
- Why we recommend: wherever you are, there's bound to be a Belushi's near you, packed full of screens for watching sports and serving up a whole menu full of comfort food. They even offer plant-based spice bags too
Been searching 'where to find spice bags in London near me' lately? Whether you're in Hammersmith, Camden, London Bridge or beyond, head to your local Belushi's for affordable eats in a vibrant setting. These buzzing sports bars show all the biggest events on 4k Ultra HD screens, providing top-notch entertainment while you eat.
Their chicken spice bag promises crispy meat and chips, seasoned to perfection with a Chinese spice mix and curry sauce for dipping. You can also opt for beef or mushroom-based bags instead. Pair these with two-for-one cocktails between 4 and 8pm on weekdays.
Enjoy Belushi's spice bags in a buzzing atmosphere.
2. Molly Mc's
- Location: 96 Isabella Street, Southwark, SE1 8DD
- Price: £13
- Best for: traditional Irish vibes
- Why we recommend: there's nowhere better for spice bags than a traditional irish boozer (even if it may be in London). The venue has a family story to it, and you can even find a bottomless Guinness brunch with spice bags as your food
A charming Irish pub that's steeped in family history, Molly Mc's can be found in Southwark. The venue is named after Molly Mc Elhinney, the grandmother of directors Johnny and Ryan, who founded the iconic Mc Elhinney’s women’s fashion store in Ireland.
Expect regular, traditional live music from Thursday to Saturday each week, as well as private karaoke rooms. Their fiery spice bag features popcorn chicken, hot peppers, chips and spring onion, alongside plenty of curry sauce. It also goes great with a pint (or two) of Guinness too, which is handy because you can grab a spice bag brunch complete with bottomless Guinness on Saturdays.
Soak up the welcoming Irish atmosphere at Molly Mc's.
3. Scaldy
- Location: 116 Peckham High Street, Peckham SE15 5DH
- Price: from £10.95
- Best for: a wide variety of spice bags
- Why we recommend: these guys really know what they're doing when it comes to spice bags, as it's the bulk of their menu. What's more, their vegan option is just as delicious as the classic
Quite possibly offering the best Irish spice bag in London, Scaldy is a pop-up kitchen dedicated to the delicacy. They're found at The Red Bull in Peckham, where they've taken over their kitchen with a menu of affordable Irish-Chinese treats.
This is a great affordable option, and one of the only places to offer a vegetarian spice bag in London too - as you can choose between chicken, tofu and beef. Plus, there's the option to switch chips for a Chinese salad with any of them.
Scaldy London are spice bag specialists.
4. The Raglan
- Location: 199 Shernhall Street, Walthamstow, ENGLAND E17 9HX
- Price: £32 - to be shared between two or three
- Best for: a more sophisticated meal
- Why we recommend: this sizeable spice bag is perfect for sharing, and the venue makes for a great sit-down meal, rather than a grab-and-go situation as spice bags often are
A quirky pub in the Walthamstow area, The Raglan combines Irish hospitality with a modern twist on Indian flavours. This has resulted in a gourmet spice bag, featuring premium, deep-fried chicken on a bed of crispy new potatoes.
This is one of the fanciest picks on our list, and while it's a little more on the pricey side, trust us, it's well worth it. While it's less of a quick takeaway and more of a sit-down meal, it's a still a popular choice among lovers of the Irish delicacy. Even better? They serve a mean pint of Guinness too.
A blend of Irish and Indian cuisines has resulted in a high-end spice bag at The Raglan.
5. Mc & Sons
- Location: 355 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY
- Price: from £12
- Best for: sharing spice bags
- Why we recommend: you can get pretty much any kind of spice bag you like here, from aubergine to scampi, and their massive sharer is ideal for groups
Located in Vauxhall, with a second site in Borough, Mc & Sons offers a wide range of spice bags. This charming Irish pub is steeped in McElhinney family history, with a real family feel to it. Settle down in one of their cosy booths and get stuck into the menu.
They offer three different spice bags - popcorn chicken, scampi or aubergine - served with all the trimmings. Or for £45, you can get a 2kg sharing spice bag, made with any of the chosen flavours.
You can even get a 2kg sharing spice bag at Mc & Sons.
6. BrewDog
- Location: multiple locations
- Price: from £10.25
- Best for: enjoying a spice bag alongside great beer
- Why we recommend: if you fancy top-quality craft beer alongside your spice bag then there's nowhere better than BrewDog - and the Waterloo venue even has an indoor slide
With bars everywhere from Waterloo to Paddington and Canary Wharf, you're never too far from your nearest BrewDog. And that's lucky for you, as they offer a scrumptious spice bag as part of their extensive menu.
Dive into crispy salt and chilli fries loaded with all the good stuff, with the option to add fried chicken for an extra £4.50. And the best part about this one is that you'll have countless taps of fresh beer available to wash it down with.
Pair your spice bag with fresh beer at BrewDog.
7. Paddy Wok
- Location: 3 Creekside, Deptford, SE8 4SA
- Price: £10.95
- Best for: an authentic spice bag
- Why we recommend: a community-focused takeaway that's loved by the local community, Paddy Wok offers an affordable menu of Irish-Chinese fare that shows they know what they're doing
A small takeaway spot in Deptford that's open Wednesday to Sunday, Paddy Wok is an authentic Irish-Chinese eatery that's run by a group of friends. They are self-proclaimed spice bag specialists, and we agree with this wholeheartedly.
Their short but sweet menu features spice bags for just £10.95, as well as scrumptious sides like egg-fried rice and vegetable spring rolls. So if you're in South London, get yourself over to this place.
Enjoy a fusion of Irish and Chinese flavours at Paddy Wok.
8. The Alchemist Bars
- Location: multiple locations
- Price: £18.75
- Best for: a spice bag with a theatrical cocktail
- Why we recommend: putting a slightly new spin on the iconic dish, The Alchemist is exactly where you want to be for hearty food and innovative cocktails all in one place
If you’re on the hunt for a proper spice bag fix with a twist, The Alchemist has entered the chat. Known more for cocktails than comfort food, they’ve put their own spin on the classic with a salt and pepper chicken version - crispy coated pieces, fries, slaw and a maple hot honey sauce all in one box.
It's slightly sweeter than your standard takeaway spice bag, thanks to that maple heat combo, but still hits the mark if you’re after something salty, spicy and built for sharing (or not).
The Alchemist Monument interiors.
For more delicious fare, check out the best Irish restaurants in London.
