More than 1 million spice bags were delivered to households across Ireland in the past year, highlighting just how firmly the takeaway favourite has become embedded in the country’s food culture.
New figures released by Just Eat Ireland show that a total of 1.1 million spice bags were ordered nationwide between January 2025 and February 2026, averaging around 82,600 orders per month. The company also reported that orders for the popular takeaway dish nearly tripled in 2025 compared to 2024, suggesting demand has surged in recent years.
Long regarded as a late-night staple after nights out, the spice bag — typically made up of crispy chicken, chips, peppers, onions and a mix of chilli and five-spice seasoning — has become one of Ireland’s most recognisable takeaway dishes. While its exact origins remain debated, the dish is widely believed to have emerged from Chinese takeaways in Dublin in the early 2000s, before spreading across the country.
@izz.eatsout we couldn’t have left dublin without trying one of these viral spice bags 👀 we just shared one between us, and also got a side of curry sauce with it, and this came to €10.95 it was delicious and the quality of the food was so good, but it was giving me elevated salt and pepper chicken vibes… let me know if you have been here before, and what you thought ✨ @Xian Street Food #fyp #xianstreetfood #dublinspicebag #dublinfood #viraldublinfood #eatwithme #dublineats #saltandpepperchicken #currysauce #dublin #dublintok #spicebag #foodblog #northeastblogger #foodblogging #foodtok ♬ Vintage Vibe - Dutrex
According to the delivery platform’s data, Saturday evening is the most popular time for ordering a spice bag, accounting for 21% of all orders, further reinforcing its reputation as a weekend comfort food.
The figures also suggest the dish has become particularly popular around St Patrick’s Day, when celebrations often stretch from early morning parades into late-night gatherings. On St Patrick’s Day 2025, a total of 4,305 spice bags were ordered in a single day through the platform.
Interestingly, most of those orders came earlier than might typically be expected. 71% of the spice bags ordered that day were requested between 5pm and 8pm, suggesting many people were turning to the takeaway favourite shortly after finishing parade celebrations or daytime festivities.
While Dublin remains the centre of spice bag culture — accounting for more than half of all national orders — the popularity of the dish is spreading further across the country. The data suggests Kildare has climbed into the top five counties for spice bag orders, while Limerick and Waterford are also seeing strong demand.
Several takeaway restaurants outside the capital were also highlighted for particularly high order volumes, including Park Kitchen in Sligo, Magic Wok in Waterford, and Ho Ting in Carlow.
@boredoflunch
Air Fryer S&P Chicken Spice Bag If you’ve ever been to Ireland, you’ll know how much we love a salt and pepper chicken spice bag. You can make your own chicken strips but frozen works just as well! Don’t forget to preorder my fakeaway book Healthy Fakeaways Ingredients: - 300g chicken, cut into strips - 3 tbsp cornflour - 1 x egg, beaten - 1 x red pepper - 1 x green pepper - 1 x onion - 500g Frozen chips - Curry sauce (I use Mayflower) Spice Bag Mix: - 1 tbsp 5 spice - 1 tsp mild chilli powder - 1 tsp garlic powder - 1/2 tsp chilli flakes - 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp ginger 1 tbsp sweetener salt and pepper Method: 1. If using fresh chicken, dip the chicken breast strips into beaten egg, then coat in cornflour. Air fry at 200°C for 12 minutes, or until cooked through. If using frozen chicken strips, cook according to the packet instructions. 2. For the chips, air fry at 200°C for 15–20 minutes, following the packet instructions. (If you have a dual-basket air fryer, cook the chicken and chips at the same time.) 3. While the chicken and chips are cooking, slice your vegetables and mix your spices together in a small bowl. 4. Heat a little oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the peppers and onions along with half of the spice mix. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until just softened. 5. Add the cooked chicken and chips to the pan, sprinkle in the remaining spice mix, and toss everything together until well coated. 6. Serve hot with curry sauce on the side – and enjoy! Enjoy 😊 My new Fakeaway book is half price so for 100 recipes like this go order it 😊 Nathan
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The spice bag’s rise reflects the broader influence of Irish-Chinese cuisine, which has developed its own distinctive identity over decades. While inspired by traditional Chinese cooking techniques, many dishes served in Irish Chinese takeaways have evolved to suit local tastes, resulting in uniquely Irish creations.
Over the years, the spice bag has become something of a cultural phenomenon, regularly appearing in social media debates about the country’s favourite takeaway and even earning a place in discussions about Ireland’s unofficial national dishes.
The dish’s popularity has also crossed generational lines. While it first gained a following among students and late-night takeaway crowds, it has increasingly become a mainstream comfort food enjoyed by families and groups of friends alike.
Industry observers say the spike in takeaway orders in recent years may also be linked to wider changes in eating habits, including the growth of food delivery apps and a greater demand for convenient meals at home.
Although Just Eat highlighted the figures as part of a promotion around St Patrick’s Day, the data nevertheless points to the continued dominance of the spice bag within Ireland’s takeaway scene.
With weekend demand remaining strong and more restaurants offering their own variations on the dish, it appears the spice bag’s status as one of Ireland’s most beloved comfort foods shows little sign of slowing down any time soon.
