When you think of Australian foods, Vegemite and Tim-Tams probably come to mind. But, while they are undoubtedly iconic Australian foods, they only skim the surface of Australian cuisine. You haven’t truly experienced Australian foods unless you’ve eaten leftover pavlova for Boxing Day breakfast, microwaved a Four’n Twenty pie at 2 am, or cured a hangover with some South Melbourne market dim sims.
So while Milo and Caramelo Koalas are staples, they paint only part of the picture. Here are some iconic, everyday Australian foods that you should try at some point in your lifetime.
ANZAC Biscuits
These delicious, sturdy biscuits are made as a homage to the wives and mothers at home during the war who wanted to send their loved ones a treat that wouldn’t spoil too quickly. Enter the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) biscuit, which we enjoy on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day- or any other day you feel like a golden syrupy treat.
Fairy Bread
An iconic Australian party food enjoyed at every party you ever attended in your childhood, along with party pies and a Freddo Frog ice cream cake. Fairy Bread is simply an open-faced sandwich on white bread covered in butter and sprinkles (hundreds & thousands).
Lamingtons
You either love or hate Lamingtons. Some people think they’re the most genius invention since the wheel. Others believe they’re a waste of perfectly good cake. So it pretty much comes down to whether or not you like coconut.
Sausage Sizzle
What is a Saturday morning without attending your local Bunnings sausage sizzle? Sausage sizzles are events where you buy a sausage served on bread with fried onions and tomato sauce, usually to raise money for charity. They’re so popular that they have government regulations. Sausage sizzles can happen anywhere, but the Bunnings sausage sizzle is particularly irresistible. This Australian cuisine is not to be taken lightly; the aroma of frying onions attracts Australians much in the same way that light attracts moths.
Chiko Rolls
The ultimate Footy watching snack, the humble Chiko roll is a one-handed snack that is essentially a giant spring roll. The Chiko roll is an iconic Australian snack food that originated in the 1950s. It is a deep-fried cylinder-shaped roll filled with diced meat, cabbage, barley, carrots, and sometimes spices.
Saladas (or other crackers)
Whether you prefer Saladas, Saos, Savoys, Ritz or Vita-Wheats, everyone agrees that this is the best snack (or dinner, in certain circumstances). So top your bikkie with butter and vegemite or tomato, add cheese, and enjoy! And for you non-Aussies out there, “bikkie” is Australian for a biscuit or cookie.
Australian Lollies
This one is a bit vague, but there are too many iconic Australian lollies to list individually. Fantales, Fads, Jaffas, Wizz Fizz, Chicos, Minties, Pods… each of these sweets bring back memories of choosing snacks to sneak into the movies in your mum’s handbag so you didn’t have to pay movie theatre snack prices.
Sausage Rolls
Sausage rolls, the humble companion of meat pies. Mini sausage rolls at children’s parties were lovely, and packaged sausage rolls at the servo are great. Still, the best sausage rolls are the ones purchased from a milk bar or corner shop, along with a Big M and a caramel slice for dessert.
Prawns
OK, so they aren’t exclusive to Australia, but they are an iconic Australian food. Clearly evidenced by the fact that Americans mimic us by suggesting we throw another shrimp on the barbie (in a terrible Aussie accent, of course). We certainly don’t throw shrimp on the barbie, but we do enjoy prawns at family Christmas parties.
Bubble O’Bill and Golden Gaytimes
We often hear about Golden Gaytimes because, well… they’re called Golden Gaytimes. But Bubble O’Bill is just as iconic, if not more. The most significant divide in Australia is between people who eat the bubblegum whilst eating the ice cream vs people who save the gum for after. However, we must unite against our common enemy: people who take the bubblegum and throw the rest away.
Cheese & Vegemite scrolls
It wouldn’t be a list of Australian foods without mentioning Vegemite. And one ignored aspect of Vegemite delicacy is the cheese and Vegemite scroll. Vegemite toast is iconic but overdone, Vegemite chocolate is controversial, and Vegemite Pizza is even more contentious than pineapple on pizza. But the Vegemite scroll has no flaws and deserves more love, in my completely unbiased opinion.
Chicken Parma
You probably didn’t grow up in Australia if you’ve never been to a pub and eaten a massive chicken parma with chips (and ignored the salad completely). The Australian Chicken Parmigiana, commonly referred to as “Parmi” or “Parma,” is a popular dish consisting of a breaded chicken schnitzel topped with tomato sauce and cheese and usually served with chips or salad. It’s a staple of casual pubs and restaurants across Australia and is enjoyed by many Australians as a hearty and satisfying meal.
Enjoy Your Aussie Foods
Australian cuisine is diverse, and these foods are a must-try for anyone looking to taste the true flavour of Australian cuisine. These dishes come with their own stories and have been enjoyed by generations of Australians. With such a variety of options on offer, there is something for everyone to enjoy, and these iconic Australian foods are sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. So, enjoy your Aussie foods and immerse yourself in the unique flavours of Australia.
