Kiap Kiap Chicken Club & Bar review: Come for the fried chicken, stay for the nostalgic comfort food

Step inside Kiap Kiap Chicken Club & Bar, a new Bugis hangout serving crispy fried chicken, nostalgic bites and a vibey atmosphere.

It’s easy to find fried chicken in Singapore – if you’re in the Bugis area, head to Liang Seah Street and check out Kiap Kiap Chicken Club & Bar. Co-founded by three friends, this new hangout spot is all about nostalgia, with childhood favourites taking centre stage on the menu. So, is the fried chicken here any good? And what’s with the name? That’s what I’m about to find out…

Kiap Kiap Chicken Club & Bar review: Details at a glance

Best for: Casual catch-ups, late-night bites, and nostalgic comfort food with a twist
Must-try items: Jenny’s Udon; King’s truffle poutine; banana pudding; virgin smoky yuzu mocktail
How much: Fried chicken from $12; mains from $9; sides from $5; desserts at $6; cocktails from $20; mocktails at $15; milkshakes at $8
Opening hours: Daily, 5.30pm to 1am (opens till 2am on Fridays & Saturdays)
Address: Kiap Kiap Chicken Club & Bar, #02-15, 1 Liang Seah Street, Singapore 189022

A red-hued hangout in Liang Seah

Everyone knows Liang Seah Street is where you can find Chinese food in Singapore. So why did the trio still set up Kiap Kiap there? “We wanted the space to be more than just a place to eat,” they tell me. They envision Kiap Kiap as a third space where everyone can swing by any day, any time. “Plus, we thought it’d be cool to do this in the middle of Liang Seah, where it’s mainly known for Chinese cuisine!”

Taking over Fatbird’s dining spot, the first order of business was an overhaul of the space. This new restaurant in Singapore now sports a predominantly red colour scheme, from the walls and furniture to even the toilet. According to the founders, it’s their favourite colour, and they had a clear vision for the interior and ambience before renovation work began.

Speaking of the bathroom, it’s probably the vibiest section of the entire place. A mirror ball hangs on the ceiling, while the mirrors sport affirmative sentences like “You look so good!” Caveat: the lavatory is located near the restaurant’s entrance, and the door swings out, so be careful when you’re exiting the toilet or entering the restaurant.

One question that lingered in my mind as I looked around the space was, “Why did the owners name it Kiap Kiap?” They then shared an anecdote about co-founder James “kiapping” – a very Singaporean term, fyi – the tongs twice while frying chicken, which sparked the idea for the name. Cute!

Crispy fried chicken and delish dishes

Kiap Kiap’s headline act is its fried chicken (from $12), and I’ll never turn down a piece of crispy goodness. My colleague and I had the original ($12) and the duck fat mala fried chicken ($14). The prices might seem extravagant for two pieces of chicken, but thankfully, they’re sizeable portions.

While I enjoyed the crunchy batter and tender meat, I found it a tad salty for my taste. The mala fried chicken fared slightly better due to the spiciness, though some people might find it a little too fiery.

The team raved about Jenny’s Udon (from $12), so of course I had to try it. I went with the seafood option ($16), and the praise really held up. It tasted like a comforting plate of Hokkien mee, except the noodles were replaced with stir-fried udon. The dish really drove home Kiap Kiap’s point about nostalgia and childhood favourites.

For sides, I went with the king’s truffle poutine ($20), and it didn’t disappoint either. I’m talking fries with truffle shavings, beef gravy, and a sunny-side-up egg. It’s cholesterol heaven, but just for a few hours, you can afford to close one eye and dig in.

The only time I had poutine was when a certain fried chicken chain had the Canadian dish on its menu, and honestly, there’s no contest – Kiap Kiap’s take is miles better. Even though the dish had been left out for a while, the fries didn’t turn too soggy, even after soaking in the gravy.

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Save room for banana pudding

Sweet tooths will be disappointed by the lack of dessert options, but I think the founders knew what they were doing by having only caramelised banana pudding ($6). Served tableside, it’s a decadent creation with ladyfingers, sliced bananas, and cookie crumble. I’m told they used the Del Monte variety for the pudding, which is why it isn’t too cloying. Bonus points for the cream’s consistency too.

Now, what’s a bar without alcohol? The kaya daiquiri ($20) comes with a buttermilk waffle; despite multiple swigs, I could barely detect the pandan. It felt more like a subtle blip than a post-swallow takeover. I’d say skip the cocktails in favour of the virgin smoky yuzu mocktail ($15). It’s a refreshing, full-bodied concoction with a hint of cinnamon, which pairs well with the udon and fried chicken.

Is Kiap Kiap Chicken Club & Bar worth visiting?

Kiap Kiap knows how to stand out from the crowd, judging from the red interior and Gen Z-style marketing. But the restaurant manages to go beyond the hype and actually live up to its promise of serving comfort food… with a twist. While it may not be my first port of call for fried chicken, I’ll definitely return for the stir-fried udon and banana pudding.

More than anything, this fresh spot is best experienced with a few friends before painting the town red or winding down after a gruelling workday. So come with your besties, order a spread, and settle in for a meal that feels like you’re raiding your childhood favourites cabinet – except with cocktails, K-pop tunes, and grown-up price tags.

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