Canadian celebrity chef Matty Matheson has gone viral after recreating Ireland’s beloved spice bag from his kitchen in Toronto, sparking debate among Irish food fans over his controversial recipe. Matheson, best known for his bold personality and appearances on The Bear and Dead Set on Life, shared a TikTok video where he prepared what he called his version of a spice bag — but his interpretation raised eyebrows for breaking with tradition.
SMARTEN UP BUCKLE UP IT’S SPICE BAG TIME IN THE COOKIN’ SOMETHIN’ KITCHEN I WENT TO DUBLIN AND BELFAST AND I ATE THREE OF THESE AND I NEEDED TO BRING IT BACK EXTRA SPICE AND DON’T FORGET THE CURRY SAUCE! SPICE BAGS FOREVER! FULL RECIPE OUT ON MY YOUTUBE NOW!
♬ original sound - MATTY MATHESON
Instead of using the familiar Irish curry sauce, Matheson opted for Japanese curry, giving the dish a sweeter, richer flavour. And while Irish chippers typically use lean, crispy strips of fried chicken, Matheson’s take featured soft, beignet-style chicken pieces — far closer in texture to chicken balls than the crunchy, spice-coated bites Dubliners know and love. The result looked appetising, but for many Irish viewers, it didn’t quite capture the soul of the dish.
The reaction online was divided. Some praised Matheson for his creativity, while others saw it as a case of cultural meddling. As one user put it, “That’s not a spice bag, that’s chicken balls with curry sauce.” The debate taps into something deeper: what makes a spice bag authentic in the first place?
The Irish spice bag has a surprisingly recent history. It’s believed to have originated in Templeogue, south Dublin, around 2006, when staff at a local Chinese takeaway — Sunflower Chinese — started mixing fried chicken, chips, peppers, onions, and chillies together with salt and spice powder as a quick after-work takeaway. The dish was so good it ended up on the menu, and within a few years, it became a nationwide sensation. By 2020, it had been voted Ireland’s favourite takeaway dish, cementing its status as a cultural icon.
Traditionally, a spice bag consists of crispy chicken strips and thick chips tossed with stir-fried peppers, onions, and chilli flakes, all coated in a distinctive salty-spicy seasoning. It’s typically served in a brown paper bag with a side of curry sauce — a mix that’s both comforting and chaotic in the best possible way. It’s a late-night staple, a hangover cure, and a symbol of Ireland’s evolving food culture.
That’s why Matheson’s version has stirred strong opinions. While his recipe still includes chicken, chips, and curry flavouring, the switch to Japanese curry and a different style of fried chicken transforms it into something else entirely — perhaps delicious, but distinctly not Irish.
Still, the irony isn’t lost on some. The spice bag itself is already a fusion dish, born from the intersection of Irish and Chinese takeaway traditions. In that sense, Matheson’s remix could be seen as the next step in its evolution — proof that the humble spice bag has gone global.
For now, Irish viewers may be sceptical of his take, but one thing’s for sure: few dishes can inspire as much national pride — or passionate debate — as a proper Dublin spice bag.
