Do you think any of these popular Irish foods are strange? Read on to discover if any of your favourites make the list.
Like all countries, Ireland has some of its own unique dishes. To non-natives, some of them may seem a bit peculiar.
Here are some of the most popular Irish foods celebrated by all native-eaters. We urge them to try them before you judge them; we cherish them for a good reason.
10. 3 in 1 − would you like more carbs with that, sir?
There’s no denying that Irish people go gaga over a potato, and the chip is a much-beloved character in the fast food world. But have you tried adding rice and curry sauce to the humble chip?
This is a particularly attractive dish for drunk people looking to line their stomachs at the end of a night out. Yes, it may seem strange, but trust us when we say it is one dish you will return to repeatedly.
9. Curry cheese chip − we are surprisingly fond of curry
The Irish curry sauce is nothing like the traditional curry you will find in an Indian restaurant. Irish curry is a brown sauce unlike anything else you’ve had.
Once again paired with a classic Irish chip, we finish this dish with a generous dose of grated cheese. Trust us when we say this dish is pure perfection.
8. Buttered digestive biscuits − or Marietta if you want to be very posh
Suppose you have ever been blessed with the joy of tasting Kerrygold butter. In that case, you’ll understand that the next step is buttering everything with it.
Irish people will even go to butter their biscuits with the stuff. But not just any biscuit. Our favourite biscuits to butter are Digestives, Rich Tea, or Marietta if you want to feel extra posh. Don’t diss it until you’ve tried it.
7. Spice bags − an iconic Irish dish of modern times
You’ll find this dish in any half-decent Chinese takeaway. The spice bag became popular in Ireland in recent years and quickly rose to fame for a good reason. Some Irish people would nearly go so far as to consider it the national dish; it’s just that good.
6. Batter burger − like a regular burger, but better
Irish chip shops are temples of culinary greatness. In these sacred spaces, you will find one of the most popular Irish foods; the battered burger. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a deep-fried battered burger. Just try it.
5. Breakfast roll − a classic way to start a hangover
If you’re in a hurry to start your day, then a breakfast roll is best for you. Think of a traditional Irish breakfast, and then put that in a crusty roll. We even have a song to explain exactly what goes into it. Listen to it here.
4. Wedge rolls − we really do love carbs
You probably know about Ireland’s love for potatoes, but you may not realise that this love extends to most carbohydrates.
Go to any petrol station deli and order a wedge roll, and you’ll be in heaven. Picture this: a crusty roll loaded with butter (Kerrygold, obviously) and jammed with potato wedges. We swear it’s gorgeous.
3. Black and white pudding − some people find this disgusting; Irish people disagree
Black pudding is a blood sausage, which we’ll admit sounds disgusting. However, it is one of our most worshipped Irish foods.
Not feeling the blood? White pudding is a bloodless sausage and one of the most popular Irish foods. No Irish breakfast is complete without these two staples.
2. Coddle − tastes better than it looks
This one is a classic Dublin dish and can even cause confusion for people outside of the Pale. It’s essentially a dish made from the leftovers of the week.
Think potatoes, cuts of meat, vegetables, anything really. It may look like something that’s already been eaten by someone else, but we promise it’s a favourite for a reason and is one of the most amazing Irish dishes you need to try.
1. Crisp sandwiches − look, we really love carbs, ok?
Yes, this whole list has been incredibly carb-heavy, and we’re not going to apologise for it. Shame on you if you visit Ireland and don’t try a crisp sandwich.
Two slices of bread slathered in Kerrygold with a bag of Tayto squashed down and sandwiched together. A thing of great beauty, indeed.
