6 of S'pore's best fried chicken joints that deliver to your doorstep
You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t like fried chicken. What’s there to hate? When cooked with finesse, fried chicken is easily one of life’s best guilty pleasure, at times surpassing cakes and desserts even. There’s just something about juicy and moist poultry, dredged in flour and sometimes double-fried, that makes its consumption an experience unlike any other. If you don’t already know, I love a good serving (or two) of this fare, and if you’re like me, you will enjoy this listing of six of my favourite fried chicken purveyors that deliver to your doorstep.
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Wildfire Chicken & Burgers
Though it may come across as disingenuous and a bit overcompensating, I do confidently, and without a shadow of a doubt, declare Wildfire’s the best Fried Chicken (S$5 for 1, S$13 for 3, S$42 for 10) I've ever had the honour of tasting.
Many come close, but they’re nowhere near the same juiciness that Wildfire's purports, nor does it possess the sweetness of Mirin that coats the batter outside. This chicken has been expertly brined very slowly and double-dredged, and double-fried until the skin comes apart from the meat with ease. It's a bite that I wish wouldn't end and an experience so groundbreaking, I guarantee it will knock your socks off.
Order here
80 Bencoolen St #01-15, NAFA CAMPUS 1 WING A, S189655
Mon – Sun: 12nn to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10pm
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Chic-a-boo
Yes, yes. I know what you’re thinking. I’m pretty sure you’re wondering what a mass consumer brand like Chic-a-Boo is doing on this listicle. Hear me out. When it comes to fast-food chains, we are spoilt for choice. But if I had to choose, I would go out of my way and Google Maps the nearest Chic-a-Boo, plonk myself there and promptly order a two-piece meal (S$8.90) which comes with a choice of two sides and a drink.
Unlike other chain restaurants, the chicken at Chic-a-Boo is juicier, sweeter, and comes with a crumb coating that has been generously and adequately seasoned. Even if it’s a breast part which we all know can be dry under amateur hands. I like the spicy variant though you can always ask for a mixed flavour plate for the best of both worlds. It is the closest to gourmet chicken you can get at this highly affordable price point.
Delivery is available on most food delivery platforms
Various outlets & opening hours
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I Love Taimei
I only recently discovered the magic that is Taimei’s extra crispy fried chicken when the Ikea shuttle bus I was waiting for was taking longer than I expected to arrive. When it comes to this fried chicken iteration, I’ve done my due diligence, having enjoyed the Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks brands for as long as I can remember.
But there’s just something incredibly magical with the Taimei’s one. What sets them apart is the use of juicy and flavourful chicken thigh, and—wait for it—the protein is brined. Just when I thought brined chicken belongs to the territory of restaurants and bigger chains, along comes Taimei with their beautifully tender chicken, breaded with a thin, almost tempura-like coating that is great when fresh and hot but stays great even after thirty minutes of travel.
Have it Ala Carte (S$5.90) as a Snacker Combo with one drink (S$8.90) or go big with their Star Combo (S$11.80) that comes packaged with one snack and one drink.
Delivery is available on most food delivery platforms
Various locations & operating hours
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Twins
No fried chicken listicle is complete without the mandatory mention of at least one Korean Fried Chicken joint—or so I’ve been told. Occupying the one and only Korean-forward spot on this list is Twins, a restaurant that prides itself on using fresh, never frozen chicken. Diners can choose from flavours such as Original, Sweet & Spicy, Soy Garlic, and Cheese. All the fried chicken comes in Whole, Half, Boneless, or ten pieces of Wings.
There are also Chicken Sets to choose from. Chicken Set A (S$42), for instance, comes with one whole chicken and a choice of one or two flavours, and one meal with a choice of either Tteokbokki, Black Bean Noodle, Spicy Seafood Noodle, Kimchi Fried Rice or Japchae. If you’re feeling slightly more ravenous, Chicken Set C (S$62) might be more up your alley. It comes with one whole chicken and a choice of one or two flavours and one set of Army Stew.
WhatsApp +659006387 to order
7 Craig Road, Tanjong Pagar
Mon – Sun: 11am to 12am
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Birdfolks
Folks living in the West side would be happy to know that within the bowels of their constituency lies a no-frills, casual dining concept called Birdfolks that pride themselves on serving American-inspired fried chicken with a cute Asian twist. It’s their expression of a new nostalgia, and I tend to agree.
Here, the Birdfolks’ Signature Fried Chicken is carefully brined with a blend of American and Asian spices and then fry-to-order until a caramelised crust forms on the outside. Choose from the crowd favourites, the Winglets (S$10.50 for 6, S$16.50 for 12) with a choice of Teriyaki, Hot Devil or Goma Chilli dressing. For a great brunch treat, look to the classic Chicken & Pancakes (S$16.00) that comes with a fried boneless thigh, buttermilk pancakes, butter, and maple syrup. Elsewhere, there’s the Fried Tenderthighs (S$14.00), a steely but straightforward presentation of fried boneless thigh fillets, oregano fries, and garden greens.
Order here
1 West Coast Drive, #01-75 NEWest, S128020
Mon – Thu: 11am to 9pm
Fri – Sun: 11am to 9.30pm
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Ah Tan Wings
I’m sure we’ve all heard of har cheong gai (shrimp paste)—that piquant and ferociously fermented shrimp used in many Asian dishes for a touch of umami. Make it into a marinade, coat some fresh chickens with it, and fry it and you get a Zhi char staple that can be easily polished off with little effort.
Ah Tan Wings pays homage to this humble but effective paste by selling all things har cheong gai at their Yishun outfit. If you have it for lunch, go ahead and get the Atas Wing Meal (S$7) which comes with two fried chicken, rice, and a sunny-side-up egg. Otherwise, there’s always the Almighty Cutlet Meal (S$10) that replaces the wings with a hulking chunk of chicken cutlet. For a chicken party your family won’t soon forget, skip all the carbs and order the set of 6 Wings 6 Drumlets (S$12), which, as its name suggests, is the ideal riot of fried poultry that can feed two (or one, if that’s your jam).
Pre-orders for self-collection have to be made one day in advance.
Order here
51 Yishun Avenue 11, 01-40, S768867
Daily: 11am to 8pm
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Balancing the New Normal:
SG Phase 2 Heightened Alert: 10 F&B outlets that deliver familiar comfort food to your home
SG Phase 2 Heightened Alert: 11 restaurants that deliver a touch of luxe to your doorstep
Indonesian restaurant The Rice Table closing down after 24 years
Foodies rally to patronise ailing elderly hawkers as diners asked to stay home
