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Read the storyWhat are arancini?Mushroom and nduja arancini at Fiena, King's Cross
If you've seen arancini on an Italian menu and wondered what turns up, here's the short answer: golden, crisp balls of rice with a filling in the middle. There are two on the starters list at Fiena, our family-run Italian cafe, bar and restaurant at 4 Medway Court, Judd Street, London WC1H 9QX, a few minutes' walk from King's Cross St Pancras.
Where arancini come from
Arancini are a staple of Sicilian cooking: rice balls that are stuffed, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. The name comes from the Sicilian word for orange, aranciu, because that's what they look like once they're cooked: round and golden. In Sicily, the most common fillings are a meat ragù with cheese (often with peas), or ham with mozzarella or béchamel. There are mushroom, pistachio and aubergine versions too.
A few more things worth knowing, all from Wikipedia's arancini page:
- In eastern Sicily, around Catania and Messina, arancini are often shaped into a cone, inspired by Mount Etna.
- In Palermo, Syracuse and Trapani, they're a traditional food on Saint Lucy's Day, 13 December, when bread and pasta aren't eaten.
- Rome has its own cousin, supplì, usually filled with cheese.
Our two arancini
On our main menu, served from midday:
- Arancini mushroom (V), served with a saffron sauce.
- Arancini nduja, served with a rich pink sauce. Nduja is the soft, spicy pork salami from Calabria. If you like a bit of heat, our post on spicy Italian food at Fiena has more.
Ordering one of each for the table is the easy way to decide. lloydyoliver kept the verdict short: Arancini was yum
(lloydyoliver, Google review)
What to order with them
Arancini are made for sharing alongside other starters. Good partners from the same list:
- Bruschetta (V, VG): marinated plum tomatoes with basil, oregano, garlic and olive oil.
- Padron peppers (V, VG, GF), blistered with flaked sea salt.
- Caprese (V, GF): buffalo mozzarella, heritage tomato and basil.
- Baby calamari with tartar sauce and lemon.
For more ideas, see our posts on sharing starters and antipasti.
A drink with them
Arancini and a spritz are a natural pair. The bar opens at 10:30 with Aperol, Hugo, Campari and Limoncello spritzes on the drinks menu. If you'd like wine with a Sicilian connection, the Vitis Nostra Nero d'Avola is a full-bodied red from Sicily.
“I was in Napoli last week and the food wasn’t far off from the real deal.”
John M., Google review, April 2026
Visit Fiena
Book a table on Judd Street.
Start with arancini and see where the evening goes. Book a table or walk in at 4 Medway Court, Judd Street.
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