With St Patrick’s Day around the corner, I decided there was only one appropriate way to prepare: a battle of the spice bags. For anyone unfamiliar, the spice bag is an Irish takeaway classic. Usually a paper bag filled with chips, crispy chicken, peppers, onions and seasoning, often served with a pot of curry sauce on the side. It’s chaotic, comforting and very Irish.
I set out to try two London spots offering their own take on the spice bag: Molly Mc’s and Hash Hut. Both venues offer something completely different, so it felt like a fair test of the classic versus a more modern interpretation.
Molly Mc’s
Walking into Molly Mc’s instantly reminded me of Ireland. The atmosphere, the aesthetic, and even the faint nostalgic smell you often find in traditional Irish pubs made the place feel authentic from the moment we arrived.
The menu itself felt exactly like something you would find in an Irish pub kitchen. A slightly random but welcome mix of curries, noodles, wings and spring rolls.
We started with drinks. A pint of Guinness for Daniel and a cider for me. To keep things simple, we both ordered the popcorn chicken spice bag, which came with a side of curry sauce.
The portion size was huge and served the traditional way in a double-layered paper bag, no plates required. Inside was a generous mix of crispy chips and popcorn chicken, with peppers, onions and seasoning throughout. The flavour balance was spot on. Not overly spicy, but with enough kick to keep things interesting. The curry sauce added the perfect extra layer of flavour when poured over the top.
Fresh chopped chillies were scattered throughout the bag, which you can easily avoid if you are not a fan of spice.
Alongside the spice bags, we ordered spring rolls, prawn crackers plus a spicy mayo dip. Together they made the perfect mix of textures and flavours for the table.
I could not quite finish my spice bag, so I wrapped the rest up to take home. After a quick reheating in the air fryer the next day, it was almost as good as when it arrived at the table.
Total for two people: £64.71
This included two pints of Guinness, one cider, two chicken spice bags, prawn crackers, spring rolls and spicy mayo.
Hash Hut at The Understudy Bar & Food – National Theatre
The second stop was Hash Hut, located inside the food hall at the National Theatre on the South Bank. Their spice bag is not a traditional one. Instead of chips, they use hash browns as the base.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
The bag itself was packed with chunky bell peppers and onions, well seasoned and full of flavour. It arrived in an insulated bag, which kept everything hot while eating.
If I had one small critique, I would have preferred the hash browns to be more chip-shaped rather than the classic round hash brown style.
Unlike Molly Mc’s, the curry sauce was not included with the spice bag, so I ordered it separately. The sauce itself was good, although not quite as good as Molly Mc’s version. That said, the spice bag did not rely on it as much because the seasoning already carried a lot of flavour.
I managed to finish the entire bag along with a small side of mac and cheese and a pint of cider. Definitely a solid option if you are nearby.
Total for one person: £28.50
Whether you are celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day with a full evening out or simply craving a proper taste of Ireland, a spice bag is always a good idea.
For me, Molly Mc’s takes the win for the full experience. Great portions, great flavour and an atmosphere that genuinely feels like stepping into an Irish pub.
That said, Hash Hut proves that a modern twist can still deliver when it comes to flavour.
Whichever route you take, one thing is certain. A spice bag is always a good idea.
Until next time,
Leanne
