Planning a trip down under for a holiday, or you’re just a foodie who wants to try Australia’s most iconic dishes and snacks? Australia has more to offer than just spectacular scenery and wildlife. While we might be known for our kangaroos and koalas, the country is also home to unique cuisine, inspired by different cultures worldwide.
For example, biltong is a staple in South Africa, and now we have our version— Australian-made biltong, which is becoming increasingly popular. It’s a dried, cured meat typically made using beef or game meats, like ostrich.
If you want to expand your culinary horizons, biltong is a great place to start—along with these other 6 iconic Australian foods!
The Australian Spring Roll: Chiko Rolls
If you went to school in Australia, you’ve probably tasted or at least seen a chiko roll. It’s a savory snack inspired by the Chinese spring roll with a true blue Aussie twist. It was designed to be easily eaten, and is widely available in supermarkets, school canteens, and cafés.
Here’s a fun fact—despite the name, chiko roll, being derived from “chicken roll”, it doesn’t contain chicken. The savory snack is filled with cabbage, carrots, green beans, and beef.
Love it or hate it: Vegemite
What sort of iconic Australian foods list would this be without Vegemite? It’s a staple in the country and the Australian alternative to Marmite. It’s probably one of the most well-known Australian foods, and it’s always the go-to for celebrities to try when they visit the country.
With that being said, don’t do what celebrities do and just eat it from a spoon—it’s a spread meant for toast. Vegemite isn’t for everyone, with its strong, bitter taste, but it is worth trying once in your life.
Is it a chocolate or a biscuit: Tim Tams
Tim Tams are, without a doubt, Australia’s most iconic biscuit and chocolate. It’s a chocolate-filled biscuit with another layer of chocolate on top—perfection in a confection.
The chocolate-biscuit hybrid is available in any Woolworths, Coles, or self-respecting store. You’re likely even to find Tim Tams for sale in petrol stations. There is also a variety of different flavours available, but it’s always a good choice to start out with the original for the classic experience.
URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/shallow-focus-photography-of-vegetable-sandwich-on-plate-79zKd7xyMsw
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Brunch time: Smashed avocado on toast
When it comes to breakfast and brunch, the only thing Australians love more is smashed avocado on toast. It’s quickly become a staple in brunch places around Australia; it’d be near impossible to find a café that doesn’t offer it.
There are many variants of this dish around the country. It can change depending on the type of bread you want, such as sourdough, rye, and multiseed. You can also add extras like an egg, different meat, and cheeses.
A pub classic: Vegan Chicken parmigiana
Walk into any schnitzel place or pub in Australia, and the go-to is a chicken parmigiana. It’s even common for pubs to have “parma nights” (or parmi depending on the state), where they run a special deal on the meal, and usually throw in a beer.
If you’re a fan of chicken, chips, and cheese, this dish is for you. It consists of a breaded chicken breast (vegan of course) covered in a mix of tomato sauce and cheese. The type of cheese varies, but it is typically either mozzarella or Parmesan.
A Golden Gaytime for dessert
This list of iconic foods, ranging from brunch dishes to pub dinner classics, wouldn’t be complete without a dessert option. Golden Gaytimes are an absolute staple in Australian culture and one of the biggest ice cream brands in the country. Any Australian would be able to tell you immediately what it is.
Golden Gaytimes are a combination of vanilla ice cream and toffee, covered in a chocolate layer with biscuit crumbs. Different flavours are also available.
Where to go next?
If you’ve already made your way through and tried the 6 foods on this list—don’t fret. Australia is lucky to be such a multicultural country, adding strong diversity to its cuisine and food industry.
This list is just a starting point. There are so many dishes and snacks unique to Australia to try. The country also sees a massive influence from Asian cuisines, such as Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese, which are worth checking out.
