Spice Bag Specialist Scaldy Expands to Second London Location
London’s food scene is about to get spicier with the arrival of Scaldy’s second location. The spice bag specialist, known for its distinctive take on the classic Irish late-night snack, will begin its residency at The Red Bull pub on Peckham High Street starting tomorrow, September 17.
Scaldy first gained a loyal following after opening at Feeney’s in the City just over a year ago in July 2024. Its signature offering, the spice bag, combines fried chicken, chips, wok-tossed vegetables, and a Chinese-inspired spice mix - a nostalgic favorite for many in Ireland. The Peckham location will offer a menu that builds on this classic dish, featuring variations with beef or tofu, as well as other comforting options like chicken balls, spring rolls, gyoza, and spiced fries.
One standout menu item is the Munch Box, a pizza-sized package containing two portions of spice bags, chicken balls, spring rolls, and a choice of curry or satay sauce. With its combination of bold flavors in generous portions, it's clear why the concept has resonated with diners.
Scaldy was founded by Max Spiro, an accomplished chef whose resume includes stints at prominent London restaurants such as Kitchen Table, Fallow, and Davies & Brook. Spiro created the business to bring the quintessential spice bag experience to London, inspired by the flavors his Irish partner, Gav, missed from home. The name "Scaldy" nods to the Irish slang term for a particularly rough hangover, an ode to the dish’s reputation as the ultimate comfort food for late nights.
"Spice bags are something people in Ireland grow up with. They’re nostalgic, comforting, and always full of flavor", said Spiro. "Bringing them to London has been an amazing journey, and Peckham feels like the perfect next step for Scaldy. We asked our fans where they wanted to see us appear next, and south London was clearly top of the list."
According to Spiro, Peckham’s vibrant food culture made it a natural fit for the brand’s expansion. "Peckham is a neighborhood that loves good food and big flavors, and we’re excited to be part of the scene there now", he added.
Scaldy’s new location at The Red Bull pub will accommodate 40 indoor diners and an additional 50 outdoors. The residency will operate from Wednesday to Saturday, further embedding Scaldy into the dynamic food-loving community south of the river.
With its inventive menu and growing reputation, Scaldy continues to bring a beloved Irish tradition to new audiences, one spice bag at a time.