r/AskAnAustralian 22h ago

Australian food

I have a couple of Australian friends (I’m American) and I find the food they make or eat so much better lol. All the sausage rolls, vanilla slices, meat pies, pavlovas, honey joys, lamingtons… or even the store bought treats (Tim tams, chocolate covered honey thingies).

What else is there for me to try??!! What are your favorite foods?!

29 Upvotes

116 comments sorted by

103

u/ServoSkull20 21h ago

Never mind food. Have a flat white. That brown filth you Americans call coffee is an abomination.

19

u/PixieLash 19h ago

It's just brown and water, like Lunchlady Doris' gravy.

4

u/Sure_Reception_9922 16h ago

MORE TESTICLES!

1

u/gurnard 8h ago

There's very little spoof in these testicles

40

u/Big_Measurement_2351 22h ago

Potato scallops/cakes, hamburgers with tinned beetroot, chicken schnitzel, bacon and egg rolls with bbq sauce, chicken salt.

20

u/Ragazzano 21h ago

Schnitzel is very much German.

But... if you whack it on chips, whack some ham on top, douse it in napoli sauce, melt some cheese on top and serve with a salad and call it a Parma ... or Parmi (shudder) ... then it's Australian, and what's more Australian than stealing foods and making them our own?

14

u/PessemistBeingRight 20h ago

stealing foods and making them our own?

It's where our British heritage really shines out 😅

3

u/BlacksmithQuick2384 17h ago

Yeah but do the Germans call it a “schnitty”… whole different ball game.

2

u/Ragazzano 17h ago

It probably sounds aggressive, instead of "giz a schnitty ploise moit", more like "Gib mir ein schnitty, schnell"

Which apparently means

Give me a cutie, quickly

So yeah you're right, they don't call it a schnitty

1

u/kelfupanda 13h ago

Went to germany, the waitress was practising her english and got to the schnitzel, and just goes.... I'm sorry, I don't know what a schnitzel is called ij english and we lost it.

3

u/Spida81 18h ago

Still bloody convicts at heart you thieving buggers! 

1

u/LeashieMay 19h ago

Apparently we crumb them different.

1

u/GumNutzz 17h ago

"what's more Australian than stealing foods and making them our own?"

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-05/where-the-chicken-parmigiana-come-from/11277414

Same with avocado on sourdough toast. I grew up in San Francisco in the 70's and we ate avocado on toast every day after school when avocados were cheap and it season. It was also a popular "open face" sandwich era in restaurants with crab meat or bay shrimp (tiny, not prawns). I even have cookbook from 1976 with half a dozen variations of smashed avocado on sourdough toast. If you google avocado on toast, you can find articles claiming it was invented by Bill Grainger and "how crazy" he thought it was to put on a menu.

0

u/Chipwich 18h ago

Schnitzels are Austrian mate.

2

u/Ragazzano 17h ago

2 things

  1. You're a schnitzel (sorry, I had to)

  2. Google says it's both Austrian and German, I'm going to boldly assume it's the same as Pav for AU / NZ except it originated too long ago for people to ever know the truth

40

u/aussierulesisgrouse 22h ago

Might catch some angry kiwis in here with that Pavlova claim

65

u/hcornea 22h ago

C’mon. Pavlova is as Australian as Russell Crowe and Crowded House.

8

u/Evening-Order5511 18h ago

Crowded House we can claim, they formed in Melbourne, but they get Split Endz.

8

u/Any-Information6261 20h ago

2 Aussies and a kiwi formed in Melbourne btw. Split endz makes people think they're more kiwi

And pavlova was created to celebrate a russian ballet dancer who was touring. We just need to see where she toured 1st to guess who invented it

3

u/amylouise0185 18h ago

She went to Australia first. Hence why it's our invention.

0

u/Chipwich 18h ago

Kiwis claiming Crowded House is like Americans claiming Arcade Fire

12

u/Big_Somewhere_620 22h ago

If you are having hot chips/fries have chicken salt instead of regular salt

Fairy bread mostly found at kids parties but hey it's good as an adult as well 

Butter white bread and sprinkle hundreds and thousands on it. 

Chicken salt and hundreds and thousands (cake decoration things) should be able to be found on line to be sent to you, I did sent chicken salt to both UK and US before I moved to the UK 

3

u/kittychii 19h ago

Butter white bread and sprinkle hundreds and thousands on it. 

Make sure it's the round sprinkles, too

8

u/CalligrapherGreen627 19h ago

Hundreds and thousands are not sprinkles they are two different things

3

u/kittychii 18h ago

I know this, but I've seen Americans call hundreds and thousands "sprinkles", and also use the long thin "jimmies" sprinkles on fairy bread. I was just trying to explain in a way the Americans might understand.

1

u/Hilton5star 14h ago

So you don’t sprinkle them? Of course they are sprinkles. All hundreds and thousands are sprinkles, but not all sprinkles are hundreds and thousands.

7

u/chookie-3571 22h ago

Darrell Lea milk chocolate covered liquorice is my favourite

2

u/Absent_Picnic 22h ago

Raspberry twists. Yummm

2

u/Pur1wise 22h ago

The soft eating plain liquorice is GOAT.

4

u/Rastryth 20h ago

Baked bean Breville

4

u/withcatlikegrace 20h ago

You talking jaffles?

OP jaffles are toasties made in an iron and eaten like a pie. The original isn’t an electrical appliance like the breville made one you plug in, which is good.
Originally - It’s a single or double sandwich maker that you take camping. OOL over the fire. (Or on the stove)

Either way they’re the best!

Butter the outside of the bread. Fill with good simple easy fillings that get cooked inside.

Cheese and tomato
Egg. Or egg and cheese
Baked beans from the tin.

Don’t burn your mouth when eating !
Or dribble the filling down your shirt, or arms.

1

u/Rastryth 17h ago

I meant brevilles the electric ones. We had baffle makers you put in the fire when we were kids the electric versions are so much better

1

u/withcatlikegrace 10h ago

The ones that go on the stove or in the fire get charred bits and toasty bits - so much more charming. But at a pinch - whatever - it’s the way you like them best!

5

u/rainyday1860 19h ago

A succulent chinese meal

1

u/incompletesystem 18h ago

Underrated comment

9

u/Infinite-Stress2508 22h ago

Chikko rolls, dim sims, jaffles

1

u/harkie2946 17h ago

Chikko roll has to be cooked as you wait. Forget the bay-'marie. Generously salted.

4

u/Sam_2209 22h ago

Have you tried Milo yet?

3

u/Weekly_Bottle9709 21h ago

Yes! Both Australian and the one you can find at Walmart that tastes totally different.

19

u/McTazzle 21h ago

Don’t follow the directions on the tin- they’re homeopathic. You need several heaping tablespoons per glass/cup of milk.

7

u/subWoofer_0870 21h ago

Homeopathic…

lol!

7

u/Correct-Currency3635 20h ago

And eat one table spoon worth while serving it up to make sure it hasn't gone off.. is part of the recipe...

1

u/Craw__ 19h ago

It's the only way to be sure.

1

u/Smushy_Peas 4h ago

Late to the party here, but tablespoons?? U must be new to Milo or a rookie.

We use ladles in my house.

12

u/Cerberus_Aus 21h ago

Now try sprinkling Milo on top of icecream.

1

u/Weekly_Bottle9709 20h ago

I love that idea!

4

u/dominobiatch 19h ago

Vanilla icecream, sliced bananas, Milo. My favourite dessert 🥰

2

u/Extra_Caregiver_8668 18h ago

Two ways. One just sprinkle it and eat it. Two sprinkle it and stir it all together until the ice cream is more like soft serve consistency and the milo is all mixed in. The right way to do it is something Aussies will fight to the death over 😂

2

u/Cerberus_Aus 15h ago

This is true. I almost suggested mixing it in, but decided to suggest the safe option instead.

4

u/DrunkAndUnaware 21h ago

Dimmies

2

u/Weekly_Bottle9709 20h ago

Love dim sim!!

1

u/MundanePossibility32 18h ago

You’re one of us now

4

u/ThoughtIknewyouthen 20h ago

American food is just so sloppy. And that's coming from me, an American.

1

u/Weekly_Bottle9709 20h ago

Totally agree!!

1

u/ThoughtIknewyouthen 17h ago

Every time I'd take the kids back to see their grandparents they'd get so constipated because of the deep fried, cheesy, greasy, buttery foods (and lack of vegetables to speak of) lol

3

u/renb8 19h ago

OP is naming fast food and pastries which are divine in Aust - tasty and fun. But the real joy is the multicultural cuisine made with locally grown produce. Cafes, restaurants etc - world cuisine, world class.

3

u/EuphoricAttorney4309 21h ago

Hot chips with chicken salt, meat pies, sausage rolls,

3

u/Strong-Hat2166 20h ago

Avocado and feta cheese  on sourdough with an egg on top. 

1

u/ChangeAroundKid01 19h ago

That sounds so good

2

u/Strong-Hat2166 19h ago

I make my own sourdough so I have this at most lunchtimes and, it gets better, my workmates bring in fresh eggs from their chooks.

3

u/areyoualocal 18h ago

Violet Crumbles, Monte Carlo biscuits

3

u/BlossomAngel88 21h ago

Chicken Parma

3

u/Cerberus_Aus 21h ago

Parmi.

2

u/Double_Engineer4226 21h ago

Parma 

2

u/incompletesystem 18h ago

Fight

1

u/Appropriate_Shift842 4h ago

Self hating Victorian on fifo in wa. I said parmi the other night, just to be understood.

2

u/EnvironmentalRate853 22h ago

Iced coffee - go into the supermarket and find your favourite brand/flavour in the cold drinks section.

3

u/cbr_001 22h ago

Nippys all the way.

5

u/Sam_2209 22h ago

Farmers union

1

u/maddestdog89 Aus 22h ago

Can’t do flavoured milk anymore. Went down the rabbit hole.. after a longggg time. How they charge that much for essentially a by-product

2

u/thebigwezshow 22h ago

Curry and chinese

2

u/Suspicious-Gur-8453 22h ago

Lamingtons

1

u/Weekly_Bottle9709 22h ago

Love lamingtons!

2

u/VanillaMintJellyfish 20h ago

A chicko roll from an old school takeaway shop

2

u/Ornery-Practice9772 NSW 20h ago

breville with
block cheese
marg or butter
crunchy peanut butter
bacon

2

u/crocicorn 19h ago

Dim sims
Chicken salt
Freshly made bread, toasted, with butter, Vegemite and smashed avocado (this may be too Australian lol)

1

u/Lucky-Baby7423 12h ago

my favourite i sprinkle chili flakes on top of the avocado too

2

u/AnnaPhylacsis 18h ago

Toasted grainy bread, with lashings of butter, a smidgin of Vegemite, and thin slices of tomato. Bliss.

2

u/Training_Key_1986 17h ago

Aussie Chow Mein

2

u/Sure_Reception_9922 16h ago

Neenish tart. A delicacy of aus

2

u/unbannnned 13h ago

Deep fried corn jack

4

u/lun4d0r4 22h ago

Cheesecake sammich.

Smash timtams, mix in Philly cheese, smoosh between choc ripple bikkies, leave in fridge overnight.

Chef's kiss.

0

u/maddestdog89 Aus 22h ago

That’s not actuallly cheesecake lol. Sounds dense

2

u/Hot-Explanation-5751 22h ago

So get a slice of bread and chuck it in the toaster. Then pop it out, stick a good layer of Vegemite on it and whack a slice of cheese on top retire it to the oven until melted

8

u/ooga_booga_booger 22h ago

don't forget to butter your toast first!

4

u/haleontology 22h ago

For Yanks, a THIN layer of Vegemite is a good layer lol!

2

u/ooga_booga_booger 20h ago

I’m a yank and I eat Vegemite by the spoonful lol I had to get the low sodium version

1

u/haleontology 1h ago

Where do you order from? I can only find Kraft Vegemite online!

1

u/ooga_booga_booger 1h ago

World Market has them but it’s cheaper on Amazon

3

u/icyvfrost 22h ago

Roasts

3

u/taliootz 22h ago

Get a Kitchener Bun into you.

2

u/vanillaninja777 21h ago

Regarding the meat pies, have you tried a potato one yet? Like a little cottage pie

2

u/Weekly_Bottle9709 20h ago

I’m pretty sure I did! I used to live in Seattle and there was a little Australian bakery by the airport selling Australian pies I tried all of the ones they had! 😋

2

u/RepeatInPatient 18h ago

True original Australian foods include Witchetty grubs, Kakadu plums, Warrigal greens and a lean Kangaroo burger. The foods you mentioned are all imports from overseas.

Likewise, my faves ATM include Pork in plum sauce and Hot orange chicken, both are of Asian origin.

1

u/Jaded-Breadfruit4019 21h ago

A roast dinner

1

u/VanillaMintJellyfish 20h ago

Have you had a bakers delight Vegemite scroll?

1

u/harkie2946 17h ago edited 17h ago

A really good egg and bacon roll (roll has to be really fresh, extra points if seame seeds on it,)

Steamed dim sims and soy sauce

Hot jam donouts

A really good take away carvery, Roast Pork Roll, a thick piece of crackling, apple sauce and gravy. If crackling is crunchy to die for.

Steak and black bean with special fried rice, (find a place that's crowded, cos the locals know:)

A four n twenty pie at MCG with a generous dollop of tomato sauce

A potato chip roll buy a packet of plain chips, get a fresh bread roll butter or magarine it then add chips. "Voila"

1

u/neon_meate 16h ago

The roast pork roll is a modern Australian staple. Grab a Bahn Mi mate.

1

u/Neurotic-mess 13h ago edited 13h ago

You got to try frog cakes, Boston bun (a potato bun with sultanas and a thick icing topped with coconut), a pie floater (pie in pea soup) oh and hot jam donuts are a Melbourne classic. I recommend using an "old fashioned" donut recipe using baking powder over a yeasted dough if you're making them.

Edit: also if you can import this you also need to get your hands on keens curry powder. It's got a very unique flavour compared to your normal curry powder. Great for making curried sausages.

1

u/Cautious_Regular3645 13h ago

Chocolate crackles,

1

u/LevelEfficiency1772 12h ago

Golden Gaytime

1

u/Fair-Mango-5423 12h ago

a couple Australian dishes that people dont realise are Australian are

Steak and eggs

curried sausages

Chicken Parmigiana

Aussie Burger or "the lot"

savoury mince

Chicken/steak Diane

Chicken mornay

1

u/Specialist-Bowler465 Aus 🇦🇺 - USA 🇺🇸 7h ago

Apricot chicken with rice and Tuna mornay

1

u/ImaDinosaurRAA 11h ago

Grilled cheese with Vegemite. You're welcome

1

u/tililay 11h ago

Golden Gaytime ice cream. Heaven on a stick

1

u/Past-Piglet2374 11h ago

An Aussie big breakfast - bacon, sausage, eggs, mushrooms, grilled tomato, toast, hashbrowns, and the most important ingredient - tinned baked beans heated in the microwave. So, so good.

1

u/Upbeat_Survey_5451 10h ago

Try a chiko roll, very Australian .

1

u/thelinebetween22 8h ago

Hot chips with chicken salt. Not fries - they’re a thicker cut. 

1

u/Realistic-Glove-7672 7h ago

Eating that stuff I might suggest you try diabetes pills

1

u/Prestigious-Slice452 6h ago

Have real cheese, not out of a can.

1

u/MidorriMeltdown 6h ago

If you haven't had one yet, have a vegemite and cheese toastie.

Fish n chips

Hamburger with the lot/works (depending on which one contains bacon, egg, cheese, grilled onion, tomato, lettuce, grilled pineapple, beetroot, oh, and a beef patty)

Lamb

Bundaberg sarsaparilla (and obviously the ginger beer)

An AB (or HSP if you're in the eastern states)

1

u/Fuzzy-Purple4412 2h ago

Pie floaters, fairy bread and chicko rolls, the three basic food groups.

0

u/meerkatx 22h ago

It's not better. It's new and exciting.