It’s everyone’s favourite guilty pleasure snack: good ol’ fried chicken. Reach the greasy heavens with this grand list of the best.
There’s nothing better than comfort food, whether it’s a Monday, midweek or the weekend. And while it’s sad news that Bjorn Shen’s Bird Bird will be closing shop soon because besides cakes and sweet treats, we love to treat ourselves to some fried chicken occasionally. Still, life goes on, and with this list, we best believe that fried chicken treats going to be a lot more than “once in a while”!
Summerlong
Though not technically a chicken shop, Summerlong’s Persian fried chicken is a definite highlight on the menu. Pickle brined before it is deep fried in a corn flour batter and served with a trio of sauces – harissa, dukkah (our favourite), and a mint-honey sauce dipping sauce. Fried chicken, of course, is an art form in itself – you want a light, dry crust with tender flesh that’s not dried up, and Summerlong nails that.
Summerlong, #01-04, 60 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238252
Birdfolks
Need a reason to go to the west side? The answer is fried chicken. We’re totally down with having more American-style brined and battered-fried in Singapore, west side or not. Fried chicken and fries, assorted chicken with rice and sous vide eggs – this place keeps the menu simple. Ready to make the journey to the west?
Birdfolks, 1 West Coast Drive, #01-75, NEWest, Singapore 128020
Chix Hot Chicken
Need your fix of spicy hot Nashville chicken? You don’t have to make no plane trip because you can ‘em right here in Arab Street. This newly opened chicken shop serves up the famous Nashville fried chicken which is sprinkled with the world’s spiciest peppers. If you can’t take the heat, settle for the original buttermilk fried chicken with their New Orleans-inspired Soul Spice mix.
Chix Hot Chicken, 1 Jalan Pisang, #01-01 Singapore 199069
Earlybird
Taking over the place where Artistry used to be, we’re not complaining about Earlybird settling in the space. If you’re over the chicken and waffles craze, here’s another to get on: chicken and pancakes – drizzled with chilli maple syrup. The cafe is also bird-themed so you can expect a bevy of chicken and egg dishes. In other words, perfect brunch grub.
Earlybird, 17 Jalan Pinang, Singapore 199149
Arnold’s Chicken
Move aside KFC, this under-the-radar homegrown joint should be the first choice for a quick, greasy meal of fried chicken. The skin is crispy, the spices pack a punch and it comes with old-fashioned soft buns and mash. With only three outlets available in Singapore, it might be safe to say that it is one of the best kept secrets in Singapore.
Arnold’s Chicken, various locations.
No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar
They do a mean plate of its signature wings, battered in prawn paste really well – it’s arguably the best in town! And while you’re at it, sip on some cocktails and cold beer at this spot right in the heart of Orchard.
No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar, 5 Emerald Hill Road, Singapore 229289
Rang Mang Shukudo
Extremely popular with fried chicken connoisseurs, it’s not hard to see why. Every piece is marinated for 6-hours in buttermilk and double fried to crispy perfection so it remains super crispy even when eaten cold. Choose from 15 different sauces to enjoy your chicken with and order up the green salad and 16 grain rice and soup to even out the sinfulness for a balanced meal.
Rang Mang Shukudo, Wisma Atria, #04-54, 435 Orchard Road, Singapore 238877
The Bird Southern Table & Bar
Now soaring amongst the elite establishments of MBS is The Bird Southern Table & Bar where you get indulge in tried-and-tested renditions of chicken & waffles, shrimp & grits, buttermilk biscuits and other kitchen comforts from the South.
The Bird Southern Table & Bar, #01-82 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Overeasy
Fried chicken and waffles prove once again to be a winning combination. And if you don’t fancy that combination, we still think you should try the fried chicken here at Overeasy. Peppery and herby, it’s unlike any battered fried chicken you’ll have.
Overeasy, various locations.
Wingstop
This Texan fried chicken chain sure made a good decision when they picked chicken-crazy Singapore to be an overseas chain. With a handful of delicious flavours – garlic parmesan and atomic buffalo wings – there’s going to be something for everyone on that menu.
Wingstop, various locations.
Swee Choon Dim Sum
Sure, it may be a dim sum restaurant but the menu spans beyond the steamed goodies. There’s noodles, stir-fry veggies, fried rice and some pretty amazing prawn paste fried chicken. Cheap beer, fried chicken, and an open tab of never-ending dim sum? Bliss.
Swee Choon Dim Sum, 191 Jln Besar, Singapore 208882
Yan Fried Bee Hoon
Claim to fame? Even the Prime Minister was found queuing (yes, even he had to queue) for the fried chicken wings at this joint. Even before they became viral, many others have come around for the classic fried chicken here. Golden brown, crispy, delicious, and inexpensive, sometimes it’s better to stick to the classics.
Yan Fried Bee Hoon, 85 Redhill Lane, Singapore 150085
The Beast
We’re glad that chicken and waffles – a standard Southern American dish – is popular right here in Singapore. Order up the cornbread, country-fried steak and the house’s speciality of juicy fried chicken served atop thick waffles and drizzled with bourbon maple syrup. Our suggestion? Pair it with a glass of bourbon – the bar does, after all, offer some of the city’s biggest varieties of the liquor – or a sweet tea cocktail for an authentic Southern experience.
The Beast Southern Kitchen + Bourbon Bar, 17 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199329
4 Fingers
Korean fried chicken is known to be double fried for that extra crunch and at 4 Fingers, it’s not only crispy, but also tasty and juicy from being hand-painted with special sauces. The ultimate quick and dirty fast-food guilty pleasure, it’s no wonder you find super long lines at their outlets.
4 Fingers Crispy Chicken, various locations.
Kko Kko Nara Restaurant
We love us a plate of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken, that is), and no one seems to do it better than Kko Kko Nara. Get the combo chicken set for great value, which consists of nine pieces of chicken in four flavours: original, sweet and spicy, hot, and soy garlic.
Kko Kko Nara Restaurant, #01-01, 57 Tras Street, Singapore 078996