One of the things that we love about IKEA is their restaurant. We’ve even been known to plan a trip to IKEA specifically because we were craving their famous Swedish meatballs. 

Sure, while we’re at IKEA we also pick up a furniture item or some sort of home decor. We certainly love our IKEA hacks! Still, we might love the meatballs even more. 

Did you know that IKEA’s restaurant menu is not the same in every country? Meatballs are pretty much a staple, but in China you can order salmon balls and in Iceland you can order fish balls.

IKEA definitely has more on their menu that meatballs. We also love the salmon and the chicken strips at our local store, but once again, if you were to visit a store in a different part of the world, the menu would cater to that location. For example, in Greece you can order pork schnitzel and in Kuwait you can order chicken shawarma. Yes, there’s even an IKEA in Kuwait.

In an attempt to add some more cultural flair to the menu of IKEA locations in the U.K., the retailer recently added a Jamaican dish called jerk chicken with rice and peas. They meant well, really they did, but they have received a lot of criticism on social media for their lack of authenticity.

This is IKEA’s jerk chicken and rice and peas and no I’m not eating it 😕 pic.twitter.com/BFPJ1CWBmR

— . (@Themlotsdad) September 9, 2019

Now, people should know better than to order Caribbean food at the Scandinavian eatery…ijs 🤣 https://t.co/22spvwqHGz

— Lisa Branscomb (@LifeBliss_Lisa) September 14, 2019

If you know anything about Jamaican cuisine, you know that the “peas” used in this dish are really pigeon peas or kidney beans, not the green peas used by IKEA. Usually, the dish is cooked with coconut milk and spring onions are added on top. 

Rice and Peas is traditionally made with Kidney Beans or Gungo Peas. I actually prefer Gungo peas taste so much nicer. One thing for sure its never made with green peas. #ikea #jamaica https://t.co/eCTUAZipe2

— SoFrolushes (@SoFrolushes) September 14, 2019

IKEA has since apologized via a statement to FOX News.

IKEA is a Swedish home furnishing company with a much-loved food offer. We take inspiration from many countries around the world and have always worked to combine different flavors and ingredients to offer delicious, healthy and affordable dishes. We’re aware that our new jerk chicken, served with rice and peas has created some conversation and in some cases offence. Our intention was to create a dish for many people to enjoy but we appreciate that we may have got it wrong.

No word yet if IKEA has pulled the dish from U.K. menus or if the dish was available at every U.K. location. 

What’s your favorite menu item at the IKEA restaurant? Did you know that they offered different food in different parts of the world?