When it comes to the Land Down Under, there's no shortage of iconic sights, sounds, and tastes that define the Australian experience.

Australia is a land of diversity and character, from the rugged outback to the bustling coastal cities.

And just like its landscapes, the culinary scene is a melting pot of flavours that have stirred up a hearty debate among Aussies: What is Australia's national dish?

The question might seem straightforward, but it has sparked a culinary controversy with Australians picking sides.

The Great Aussie Debate survey has brought this tasty tussle to the forefront, revealing Aussies' deep-seated loyalties towards their favourite foods.

A survey showed Australians are divided over the nation's 'national dish,' with a close race between a meat pie and Vegemite on toast. Credit: bonchan / iStock

The contenders are as varied as the country's climate, with each dish holding a special place in Australians' hearts (and stomachs).

The classic meat pie, a staple at sporting events and local bakeries, has emerged as a frontrunner, with 24 per cent of the nearly 2000 surveyed Australians backing it as the national dish.

But hot on its heels is the simple yet iconic Vegemite on toast, capturing 23 per cent of the vote and proving that sometimes, less is more.

The battle doesn't end there. Roast lamb, a Sunday dinner favourite, has claimed the third spot, particularly popular among male respondents.

Meanwhile, the humble sausage sizzle, a fixture at community events and hardware store parking lots, has snagged fourth place.

And let's not forget the sweet contender, the pavlova, with its meringue base and fruit topping, which has also whipped up support.

Interestingly, the generational divide has millennials and Gen Z skewing towards the sausage sizzle and the chicken parmy (or parma, depending on your regional dialect), respectively.

These preferences highlight the evolving palate of younger Australians and the influence of pub culture on the nation's culinary identity.

Jan O'Connell, author of A Timeline of Australian Food: From Mutton to MasterChef, echoes the survey's findings, suggesting that the meat pie and Vegemite on toast are top contenders due to their uniquely Australian adaptations.

‘It would have to be a meat pie or Vegemite on toast. They’re both essentially invented here, even if they’re inspired by English products,’ she said.

‘I would have opted for the pie, personally. A few of the other options I see as more English than Australia, like fish and chips or the parmy/parma. I don’t see them as contenders at all.’

But the plot thickens as we consider the changing landscape of Australian cuisine.

With the rise of fast food diversity and the integration of First Nations ingredients, what constitutes a national dish is in flux.

Multiculturalism has seasoned the Australian food scene with influences from around the globe, making dishes like spaghetti bolognese household staples.

So, what does this heated debate tell us about Australia's national dish? There's no one-size-fits-all answer.

The rich tapestry of Australia's food culture reflects its history, people, and the ever-changing tastes of a nation.

Whether you're a die-hard meat pie fan or a Vegemite enthusiast, one thing is sure: the conversation around Australia's national dish is as lively and varied as the cuisine.

Key Takeaways

• Australians are divided over which food should be considered the nation's 'national dish,' with a survey showing a close race between the meat pie and vegemite on toast.
• The survey was conducted as part of The Great Aussie Debate, which aims to reveal Australian opinions on various topics.
• Women and men differ in their preferences, with women favouring vegemite on toast and men the roast lamb, while younger generations prefer a sausage sizzle or chicken parmy.
• Cultural expert Jan O’Connell highlights the evolution of Australian cuisine and the impact multiculturalism and First Nations ingredients have on the concept of a national dish.

What's your take on this culinary conundrum? Do you have a favourite dish that you believe deserves the title of Australia's national dish? Share your thoughts and see if we can reach a consensus—or at least enjoy the delicious debate!

 

[Suzanne rose]

stop with inaccuracies. the Poms have had meat pies for yonks. by the way the Pav is from NZ another inaccuracy.

That's very debatable where the pav originated from

Australia side, chef Herbert “Bert” Sachse is said to have created the pavlova at Perth's Esplanade Hotel in 1935, and it was named by the house manager, Harry Nairn, who remarked it was “as light as pavlova”. In an interview with Woman’s Day in 1973, Sachse said the proprietress, Elsie Ploughman, and Nairn recruited him to make something “different and unique” as a cake or sweet. “I had always regretted that the meringue cake was invariably too hard and crusty, so I set out to create something that would have a crunchy top and would cut like a marshmallow,” he said. “After a month of experimentation – and many failures – I hit upon the recipe, which survives today.”

New Zealanders often cite the story of an unnamed chef at a Wellington hotel, who is said to have invented the pavlova during the ballerina’s only tour of the country in 1926. But emeritus professor Helen Leach, a New Zealander who specialises in food anthropology at the University of Otago and authored The Pavlova Story: A Slice of New Zealand's Culinary History, was unable to verify this version of events.

It’s no surprise that both Australia and New Zealand would want to claim it as something they have given the world and seems Australia is the only ones who can verify it.

 

[rzolin]

Meat pie by a long shot!