Salt and pepper chips are a Liverpool staple and the odds are that if you’re reading this in Merseyside, you’ve had a plate or two yourself. These Asian-inspired chips are usually topped with peppers, onions, Chinese five spice and, of course, salt and pepper.
You’ll find them at almost every chip shop in Liverpool, but where did they come from? Well, Liverpool’s Chinatown was the first of its kind in Europe and it’s this century old influence that granted us the gift of salt and pepper chips.
A significant number of Chinese people first moved to Liverpool in 1834 to work on the docks as the first direct route from China to Liverpool docks was created. Later, some Chinese people saw the opportunity to give these Chinese sailors and dock workers a taste of home, setting up businesses selling Chinese food.
Salt and pepper seasoning is, of course, not a Scouse invention. However, salt and pepper chips are very much Scouse-Chinese. They’re a beautiful blend of two cultures – chip shop chips and salt and pepper seasoning.
You can get them in other parts of the North but nowhere are they more popular than in Liverpool. It’s not really known which chippy first served them. We’re sure many would love that claim to fame but the fact is that they’re so widespread it’s impossible to truly name any one person the inventor of this delicious dish.
Where are the best salt and pepper chips in Liverpool?
You can buy them at almost every chippy in the city but there are some that stand out as the serving the best:
Chris’s Chippy Rose Ln, L18 8AD
Penny Lane Fish And Chips, 53 Penny Ln, L18 1DE
The Lobster Pot, 19 Ranelagh St, L1 1JW
Big Bowl Noodle Bar, 12-14 Berry St, L1 4JF
Maggie Fu, 346 Smithdown Rd, L15 5AN
Woo Tan Scran, 62 Duke St, L1 5AA
Chans Fish & Chips Shop, 261 Pilch Ln, L14 0JF
Jade View, 8 Liverpool Rd N, L31 2PN
Chi Nar Kitchen, 46 Penny Ln, L18 1DG
There are plenty more to name, but you’re almost guarenteed salt and pepper places at these top spots. Some of them also offer salt and pepper boxes, including the chips alongside things like spring rolls, salt and pepper chicken and salt and pepper ribs.
Is there anything more comforting than some spicy, delicious salty and peppery chips? Absolutely not.