Where to get the best fried chicken in Singapore

Southern Soul

Think all American fried chicken is just KFC? Y’all got it wrong. Nashville-style country chicken is spicy as heck. Nashville hot chicken is typically marinated in buttermilk, fried and doused with a heavy application of cayenne pepper (often in the form of some magical pepper-infused oil), along with other spices like garlic and paprika. The result is spicy, tangy, and oh-so-addictive juicy mother cluckers. But if you prefer your hot chicks in between buns, try their new Bagel chicken sandwich! Save the plane ticket to ‘Murica, you can get some exclusively available promos on food delivery apps and enter the code – 50OFF – on GrabFood to enjoy 50 percent off.

KFC

Of course, we can’t talk about fried chicken without talking about the finger-licking-good stuff from KFC. It’s well-loved original recipe remains equally as popular as its spicy, crispy variant. For International Fried Chicken Day, the fast-food chain is offering an attractive promotion: $10 for two meals. This means that you'll get four pieces of chicken, two servings of whipped cream, and two drinks for just $10. 

And if you can resist the temptation to snack on it right away, take part in KFC’s Virtual Eat-together Event at 7.30pm tonight (July 6) for a chance to dine with other fried chicken lovers, take part in games, and stand a chance to win prizes. 

Arnold's Fried Chicken

You can’t go wrong with crispy, greasy and in this case, homegrown fried chicken. At Arnold's, you get crispy skin, some secret recipe spices in the batter that packs a punch, some old-school soft buns, standard mash or french fries, and mandatory brown gravy made from chicken stock. If you’re looking for a simple communal meal that is agreeable with everyone, you can’t go wrong with the classic fried chicken. And assorted sides, lots of assorted sides.

Ah Tan Wings 

There’s a hawker so obsessed over prawn paste chicken that he dedicated an entire hawker stall to selling the stuff. At Ah Tan Wings, har cheong gai isn’t just a side dish to your meal; it’s the main highlight. The gloriously crisp batter is used to coat its signature chicken wings, and served with fragrant rice and a dollop of tangy homemade chilli that helps cut through the grease. But those feeling lazy can opt for the hefty chicken cutlet that’s equally, if not more enjoyable. 

Chir Chir Singapore

Take a walk in any local neighbourhood in Singapore and there’s some sort of Korean chicken shop available. Its massive popularity is well-deserved though. Korean fried chicken is crunchier, juicier and more creatively seasoned than most fried chicken you’ll find. Promising to give diners a taste of Korean chimaek culture – gorging on fried chicken with beer – the chickens at Chir Chir are cooked fresh with Korean-imported marinades. 

Warong Nasi Pariaman

First things first, Indonesian chicken is not quite a looker but we don’t judge books by the cover here. Unlike most fried chicken, this one doesn’t even have a batter. What gives its distinct and rich flavour are the traditional Asian spices used like turmeric, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, bay leaves and also coconut water. It is marinated overnight, deep-fried till a beautiful golden brown, and then served with a serving of sambal. What’s an Indonesian dish without the heat?

Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant

Your order of la zi ji, or Sichuan-style spicy fried chicken, will likely come buried in a pool of chillies. Over at Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant, morsels of deep-fried chicken are tossed in an aromatic mixture of dried chilli, Sichuan peppercorns, and garlic to yield a fiery, tongue-numbing dish that’ll surely satisfy all mala lovers. It’s a dish best enjoyed not with your hands, but with a pair of chopsticks and a bowl of rice to temper the heat. 

Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks

Thank god for Taiwanese street food culture – and its biggest export, the crispy Taiwanese fried chicken in a bag. At Shihlin, these giant chunks of fried chicken come with a crunchy and crackly crust and dusted with salt, pepper, spices and plum powder before they are cut into bite-sized pieces and served steaming hot in paper bags to eat on-the-go. Sharing is optional – we usually don’t.

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

A household name for Southern food in the United States, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar is best known for its signature Chicken 'N' Watermelon 'N' Waffles ($40). The bird is first brined for 27 hours before it's dredged in flour and pressure-fried 'til golden brown on the outside but still juicy on the inside. You'll also want to leave space for other star dishes like the fried green tomato biscuits ($14), crab cake ($23), and skillet cornbread ($10).