australia food only australians eat

15 Weird Aussie Eating Habits That Baffle Other Countries

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While Australia continues to be a popular holiday destination with tourists keen to head down under to experience our beautiful weather and wildlife, the food Australians enjoy eating doesn’t always get the same reaction.

There are quite a few foods we eat and ways of eating things that are at odds with what the rest of the world finds palatable and I’m talking about more than just Vegemite (but yum!).

Here are some foods that Australians eat that the rest of the world just doesn’t understand:

#1. Burgers with beetroot

A burger without beetroot is like life without sunshine and it has become the norm in Australia. So much so that you can order it at Macca’s in the form of a McOz but tbh, its yummiest form can be found at your local fish and chip joint.

However, when famous American chef David Chang found out about what us Australians put in our burgers, he penned a sledge piece about us. I feel very attacked.

#2. Devon and tomato sauce sandwiches

If you grew up in Australia, there’s a very good chance you ate Devon in a range of forms. Pinned together with a skewer as a budget canape, rolled up with mashed potato in the middle, or in a sandwich with tomato sauce. I don’t even know what Devon actually is?! Bloody Straya.

Via Reddit

#3. Fairy Bread

A childhood without fairy bread is NOT a childhood at all but our international mates would probz disagree. It turns out that they don’t routinely layer butter and rainbow sprinkles on white bread and serve it at all kids’ parties. Get around it, fam.

#4. Cabanossi/kabana with cheese and biscuits

A party without cabanossi/kabana is a party I will not be attending. It is usually served with cubes of cheese along with Jatz or Savoys. Find a more perfect food combination, I’ll wait.

#5. Le Snak

Despite its name, Le Snaks are, shockingly, not French. In fact, they’re a schoolyard snack unique to Australia and everyone else is truly missing out. I am le sad!

#6. Putting chicken salt on chips

Australia invented chicken salt so the rest of countries can just go home. Bye.

#7. Eating meat pies with tomato sauce

While the Brits may have been eating meat pies long before Australia, they eat them radically different to us. Translation: Without a generous squeeze of tomato sauce. It is madness.

#8. Actually, we put tomato sauce on EVERYTHING

Many Aussie households keep tomato sauce on the table at all times (unless you keep it in the fridge like an actual angel) so it can be added to every dish, if you so desire. With chips! With pies! With veggies! With eggs! With pasta! FUCKIN’ SAUCE IT, M8.

#9. Barbecued snags in bread

OK, I understand Australia didn’t invent sausages, but there is no denying that as a country we are damn passionate about a snag in bread. We have them on election day. We have them every weekend at Bunnings.

The taste of a barbecued snag with onions slid into a slice of white bread topped with tomato sauce is the taste of Australia.

#10. Fantales

I was shook to discover recently that the entire world is missing out on eating these caramel treats while learning trivia they never needed to know. The sweet treat was even named by The New York Times as Australia’s most iconic lolly.

How does anyone around the world learn the identity of random celebrities based on paragraphs of blatantly obvious clues?! These wrappers have educated generations of Australians.

#11. Our own coat of arms

You know Australia is a unique place to live when you can commonly eat your own coat of arms, a kangaroo and emu, all in one dish. Smith’s even once proposed a coat of arms flavoured chip. Kangaroo and emu combos are readily available in many different forms like burgers and pizza.

#12. Vanilla slice

Most call them vanilla slice, others call them ‘snot blocks’ (ugh, I can’t believe I just typed that) but the custard filled pastries are distinct to Australia. I guess, it’s just a happy coincidence that every regional bakery happens to make the best one in the country.

#13. Chiko Roll

The humble Chiko Roll was invented by Frank McEncroe back in 1951 and inspired by Chinese spring rolls. It’s the kind of greasy snack that anyone who is actually Chinese would be horrified to taste but it becomes almost edible when drowned in soy sauce.

#14. Drink Lemon, Lime & Bitters

This drink needs to go global as it’s bloody delicious and the perfect sipper for a warm summer’s day when you can’t legally drink booze.

Via ABC

15. Vegemite on toast

This one is obvious. It’s such a versatile spread and can be updated with a few chunks of avocado if you want to get fancy. Despite decades of eating the stuff, international guests still don’t understand why Australians love Vegemite so damn much. It’s called culture, sweeties.

Australians are truly LIVING down under and making ZERO apologies.