What is a Chiko Roll?
A Chiko Roll is an Australian deep-fried savoury snack inspired by the Chinese spring roll, filled with cabbage, barley, carrot, beef and other vegetables in a thick pastry casing. It was created in 1951.
The Chiko Roll was invented by Frank McEncroe, a boilermaker from Bendigo, Victoria. He wanted a snack that could be eaten on the go at football matches and agricultural shows, and first sold it at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Show in 1951.
Its thick, chewy pastry was designed to be held in one hand without falling apart. It became a staple of fish and chip shops, milk bars and takeaway stores across Australia.
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The Chiko Roll became famous through bold advertising posters in the 1960s and 1970s, featuring a woman on a motorbike holding a Chiko Roll. These ads are now seen as classic examples of Australian pop culture.
Chiko Rolls were particularly popular in the 1970s and 1980s, with millions sold each year. Although less common today, they are still made and sold in takeaway shops.
The snack is often listed among Australia's most iconic retro foods, alongside dim sims and potato scallops. Bendigo has celebrated the Chiko Roll as part of its local history.
Did You Know?
The original Chiko Roll was made in Bendigo, and production later moved to other factories.