Everyone’s favourite guilty pleasure: good ol’ fried chicken in Singapore. Tuck into this grand list of our best picks.
We love indulging in junk food on occasion, but we’re not talking about cakes and sweet treats right now. Ditch the utensils and table manners ‘cos we’re craving juicy fried chicken and we’ve found some of the best in Singapore – from Korean to Southern style. With this list, you’d best believe we’ll be popping by for a bucket full of wings more than “once in a while”!
Best Korean fried chicken in Singapore: Our fave kind of “KFC”
1. Daily Beer
The Koreans struck gold when they came up with the idea of pairing fried chicken and beer (aka “chimaek”). This delicious tradition spawned various restaurants, with Daily Beer being among the most popular. Its debut in Singapore was warmly received and converted us into fans. We sunk our teeth into the brand’s signature Angry Bird, devouring every golden, crunch perfection to the bone. Wash everything down with the K-Hazelnut Potter, a unique combination of beer and hazelnut coffee.
Must-try chicken: Angry Bird; Angry Bird – Black
How much: From $32
Opening hours: Sundays to Thursdays, 11.30am to 11pm and Fridays to Saturdays, 11.30am to 12.30am
Daily Beer, multiple locations including Chijmes and Telok Ayer
2. Kko Kko Na Ra
We love a plate of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken, that is). And no one does it better than Kko Kko Na Ra. Did you know these folks were the first to introduce Korean fried chicken here? That was in 2008, and almost two decades later, the brand continues to serve delightfully crunchy chook to the masses. Get the combo chicken set for great value and chow down on nine pieces of chicken in four flavours.
Must-try chicken: Combo chicken; half and half
How much: From $31
Opening hours: Daily, 12pm to 1am
Kko Kko Na Ra, #02-01, 33 Tras Street, Singapore 078973
3. Oven and Fried Chicken
Don’t get confused when you see “rice chicken” on the menu. It actually refers to the chicken pieces fried with rice flour for a decadent, extra-crispy crust. While you can simply dip the chicken into the sauce, a popular option is to have the chicken pre-coated with spicy, jambalaya, soy or padi garlic sauces. Are you a lazy an energy-conserving eater? Get the boneless version!
Must-try chicken: Fried mixture; onion chicken
How much: From $20
Opening hours: Varies by location
Oven and Fried Chicken, multiple locations including Tanjong Katong and Telok Ayer
4. Waker Chicken
Another Korean fried chicken joint in Singapore? Yes, but tbh, we can never get enough of them. The menu is lean, with only four flavours to choose from: original crispy, sweet spicy, soy sauce, and honey butter. Psst: we’re told the honey butter is the most popular option! Each piece is fried to order, so you can look forward to succulent and juicy chicken every single time.
Must-try chicken: Honey butter; soy sauce
How much: From $13
Opening hours: Varies by location
Waker Chicken, multiple locations including Bukit Batok and Holland Drive
5. Jinjja Chicken
This is our kinda KFC, and it should be yours too. Jinjja ticks all the Korean fried chicken boxes: juicy, crispy, and packed with so much flavour. Take your pick from five sauces. There’s soy garlic (a vegan-friendly sweet and savoury sauce), yangnyeom (a sticky sweet and spicy soy sauce), monster sauce (yup, you guessed it – a mouth-numbing spicy blend), honey butter soy, and parmesan cheese (a dry rub for all cheese lovers).
Must-try chicken: K-pop chicken in spicy yangnyeom
How much: From $5.50
Opening hours: Varies by location
Jinjja Chicken, multiple locations including Bugis Plus and Nex
6. 4Fingers
Korean fried chicken is known to be double-fried for that extra crunch. At 4Fingers, it’s also tasty and juicy from being slathered with special sauces. Think you can handle the heat? We highly recommend going for the extra spicy or mala wings and drumsticks. A spicy explosion in every bite! As the ultimate quick and finger-lickin’ good fast-food guilty pleasure, it’s no wonder you find super long lines at its outlets.
Must-try chicken: Wingettes and drumettes; boneless chicken bites
How much: From $10.50
Opening hours: Varies by location
4Fingers, multiple locations including Tiong Bahru and Ang Mo Kio
7. BHC Chicken
The battle for best Korean fried chicken in Singapore reached a fever pitch when this popular brand landed on our shores. Now everyone’s spoilt for choice! If you’ve been putting off visiting the restaurant, now is the best time to drop by and sink your teeth into its fried bird. The signature offering is coated with cheese and vegetable seasonings, which have our hearts and stomachs.
Must-try chicken: Bburinkle; Macho King
How much: From $18.90
Opening hours: Varies by location
BHC Chicken, multiple locations including Kinex and Taste Orchard
Best fried chicken in Singapore: Inspired by local and Asian flavours
8. Har Har Chicken
There’s no denying prawn paste chicken is one of the most flavourful kinds of fried chicken you can find. And now it’s getting the spotlight it deserves! Founded by chef LG Han of Labyrinth, media personality Lennard Yeong, restauranteur Tay Jianli, and investment pro Bevin Desker, say hello to Har Har Chicken. Enjoy the indulgent zi char favourite in the form of wings, burgers, rice boxes, and more!
Must-try chicken: Har Cheong wings; Har Cheong chunky pops
How much: From $4.80
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am to 9.30pm
Har Har Chicken, multiple locations including Junction 8 and VivoCity
9. Eng Kee Chicken Wings
Swing by a hawker centre and you’ll most likely spot this homegrown brand, which is usually bustling with repeat customers. With crispy yet tender wings coated in a well-marinated batter, we’re not surprised why. At $1.80 per piece, these fried gems at Eng Kee Chicken Wings are surely a must-try. Have yours a la carte or pair ’em with bee hoon or kway teow.
Must-try chicken: Chicken wing platter
How much: From $1.80
Opening hours: Varies by location
Eng Kee Chicken Wings, multiple locations including Commonwealth and Sengkang
10. Wicked Wings
True to its name, the fried chicken at this halal-certified joint is wickedly delicious. Come and indulge in ultra-crispy chicken that’s served in myriad Asian-inspired flavours. Think tender, juicy wings slathered in creamy laksa, tom yum sabai, or kecap manis. Don’t forget to order the cheddar cheese sticks coated in golden bread crumbs on the side – ‘cos who can resist a good cheese pull?
Must-try chicken: Sweet Sensations; SC Power; rock honey salsa
How much: From $9.90
Opening hours: Daily, 10.30am to 9.30pm
Wicked Wings, available online
11. Ah Tan Wings
If you’re craving top-notch prawn paste fried chicken, Ah Tan Wings delivers. Before setting up shop in Yishun, owner Tan Wee Yang, one of a handful of young Gen-Y hawkers, gained a loyal following through pop-ups. And it’s all thanks to his crisp-on-the-outside and fall-off-the-bone tender chicken wings. Pair your chook with rice and a sunny-side-up egg for a satisfying meal.
Must-try chicken: Signature wing meal
How much: From $6
Opening hours: Varies by location
Ah Tan Wings, multiple locations including Yishun and Sengkang
12. Swee Choon Dim Sum
Everyone knows Swee Choon for its delicious dim sum. But the menu spans beyond steamed goodies. The no-frills supper hangout, a favourite among many night owls, offers noodles, stir-fried veggies, fried rice, and some pretty amazing prawn paste fried chicken. Fried chicken and an open tab of never-ending dim sum? Ooh, we’re hungry for some chicken claw now…
Must-try chicken: Shrimp paste deep fried chicken wing
How much: $5
Opening hours: Varies by location
Swee Choon Dim Sum, multiple locations including Jalan Besar and Changi Airport
13. No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar
This place does a mean plate of its signature wings marinated in shrimp paste and Chinese wine. They’re arguably one of the best in town! While you’re at this spot right in the heart of Orchard, sip on martinis, cocktails, and cold beer while digging into the fried fowl.
Must-try chicken: Chicken wings
How much: Enquire for price
Opening hours: Sundays to Thursdays, 12pm to 2am and Fridays to Saturdays, 12pm to 3am
No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar, 5 Emerald Hill Road, Singapore 229289
14. Ponggol Nasi Lemak
A stellar plate of nasi lemak is made up of aromatic rice, spicy chilli and… fried chicken, obviously! It’s safe to say Ponggol Nasi Lemak has mastered all of the components, including the amazingly crispy bird. Just a word of caution: be prepared to suffer the carb food coma from all that rice afterwards. If you’re ready for that, we say go for it!
Must-try chicken: Set menu 2 (with double wings); set menu 6 (with ayam berempah); crispy large drumsticks
How much: From $7.80
Opening hours: Varies by location
Ponggol Nasi Lemak, multiple locations including Upper Serangoon Road and Capitol Piazza
Best fried chicken in Singapore: Western delights
15. All ‘Bout Chicken
It’s a foodie haven at Chomp Chomp Food Centre, but if you’re hankering for fried chicken, make your way to this hawker stall. As per its name, all items on the menu place our favourite protein front and centre. Can’t decide what to get? You can’t go wrong with the Chicken on the Bone, which comes in various sets. But if you wanna get something truly local, the baked roti john features a chicken omelette on a piece of ciabatta bread. The garlic butter rice is a good option too!
Must-try chicken: Chicken on the Bone; baked roti john; garlic butter rice
How much: From $4.90
Opening hours: Varies by day
All ‘Bout Chicken, multiple locations including Serangoon Gardens and Bukit Merah
16. Best Employee
This one’s for the folks working in the CBD. Looking for a new lunch spot where you can tuck into next-level crispy birds? We know just the place. Best Employee claims to be a “brand that you never knew you needed”, and trust us, once you’ve had a taste, you’re inclined to agree. Get your fill of fried chicken with two sides like cold soba and fried tofu. Or get the salad if you want to feast without the guilt. Oh, the curry mayo slaps!
Must-try chicken: Dino set
How much: From $7.50
Opening hours: Mondays to Thursdays, 11am to 7pm and Fridays to Saturdays, 10am to 8pm
Best Employee, #01-01, Icon Village, 12 Gopeng Street, Singapore 078877
17. Chix Hot Chicken
Need your fix of spicy hot fried Nashville chicken in Singapore? You don’t have to get on a plane ‘cos you can get it right here in Bugis. This popular chicken shop serves the famous fried chicken sprinkled with a dash of the world’s spiciest peppers. Be sure to have a bottle of water nearby to help you cool down from the hot, hot heat.
Must-try chicken: tenders; hot wings
How much: From $13.90
Opening hours: Sundays to Thursdays, 12pm to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays, 12pm to 10.30pm
Chix Hot Chicken, #01-01, 1 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199069
18. Earlybird
You can bet Earlybird welcomes a good crowd of cafe-hoppers. If you’re over the chicken and waffles craze, here’s another to get on: chicken and pancakes. This delish combination comes drizzled with chilli maple syrup for an added kick. The cafe is also bird-themed, so you can expect a bevy of chicken and egg dishes. In other words? Perfect brunch grub.
Must-try chicken: Chicken and waffles
How much: $19
Opening hours: Sundays to Fridays, 9am to 5pm and Saturdays, 9am to 9pm
Earlybird, 17 Jalan Pinang, Singapore 199149
19. Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
Soaring amongst Marina Bay Sands’ elite culinary establishments is Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. It’s famed for its chicken and waffles served with spiced watermelon, which is made with a 100-year-old family recipe. The kitchen also whips up tried-and-tested renditions of shrimp and grits, buttermilk biscuits, and other comfort foods from the American South.
Must-try chicken: Chicken and waffles; roasted young hen
How much: From $38
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 11.30am to 12am and Saturdays to Sundays, 11am to 12am
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, #B1-07, Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
20. Wingstop
This Texan fried chicken chain sure made a good decision when it picked chicken-loco Singapore to be an overseas chain. With a handful of delicious flavours including garlic parmesan and Louisiana rub, there’s something for everyone on that menu (our team are big fans of kecap manis). The constant crowds are a testament to the brand’s popularity – even Malaysians travel all the way here just to have ’em!
Must-try chicken: Kecap manis; mango harbanero; Texas buffalo
How much: From
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 10pm
Wingstop, multiple locations including Jurong Point and Our Tampines Hub
21. Arnold’s Fried Chicken
This under-the-radar but never-forgotten homegrown halal joint should be your first choice for a fuss-free meal of fried chicken. The skin is crispy, the spices pack a punch, and everything comes with old-fashioned soft buns and mash. With just a few outlets across Singapore, Arnold’s is perhaps one of the best underrated fried chicken joints in town.
Must-try chicken: Spring chicken meal; two-piece plate
How much: From $4.30
Opening hours: Varies by location
Arnold’s Fried Chicken, multiple locations including Bedok and Jurong
Keep some tissues handy. It’s gonna be messy sinking your teeth into some of the best fried chicken in Singapore.
