Big Dot Chicken: Fast-food quality fried chicken starting from $1.50 per piece
When we think of fried chicken, fast food staples like KFC, Arnold’s, and Popeyes often come to mind. However, with inflation and the current economy, fried chicken from these fast food joints isn’t as affordable as it once was.
What if I told you there’s an affordable alternative tucked away in Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre? That’s right; Big Dot Chicken, a halal-owned establishment, offers fried chicken for as low as S$1.50 per piece!
What I tried at Big Dot Chicken
At Big Dot Chicken, the focus is clear: fried chicken. They offer 3 different combo meals, where you can choose between a Drumstick (S$2), Wing (S$1.50), or Thigh (S$2.50), with options for spicy or non-spicy. To complete your meal, you can choose between either fries or nasi lemak as your side.
When I visited, the thigh was sold out, so I had to wait about 15 minutes for a new batch— a good sign of their chicken’s popularity. I was a bit disappointed since the thigh is my go-to cut, but I didn’t let that spoil my experience.
I opted for Combo B (S$5), which included one drumstick, one wing, and your choice of carbs. Since I wasn’t alone, I decided to try the combo both ways.
For my combo, I chose the original chicken with fries, while my lunch buddy tried the spicy version with nasi lemak.
First impressions? The chicken was nice and crispy, served piping hot— to the point where my buddy had to quickly put the chicken down once I was finished taking photos.
The original chicken was incredibly juicy and tender, with the meat pulling away effortlessly. The seasoning was reminiscent of KFC and Arnold’s— crispy and savoury, with a mild peppery kick. The skin was impressively crispy and flavourful, even after it had cooled, which was a bonus given that I’m a sucker for chicken skin.
Unfortunately, the fries were a bit of a letdown. They were cold, tough, and hard to chew. While it wasn’t a dealbreaker, I wouldn’t choose the fries again.
Next, we tried the spicy chicken combo with nasi lemak. The spicy chicken while a little mild in my opinion, was still distinguishable from the original. The chicken was just as tender and succulent, making it easy to pick the bones clean.
The nasi lemak was rather fragrant, with a sambal that added a nice heat without being too spicy— perfect for those who can’t handle too much spice. The ikan bilis and peanuts were crunchy, making the meal well-rounded and satisfying, especially at its price point.
Towards the end of the meal, I noticed that the spicy chicken thigh had been restocked. Although I wanted the original, I still gave the spicy version a shot. As expected, it was incredibly succulent and tender, with nothing to complain about.
I also wanted to try their Waffles (S$1) and Ice Cream (S$1.50), even though my buddy and I were already quite full. After all, who doesn’t have a second stomach for dessert, right?
Unfortunately, they only start serving waffles and ice cream from 3pm onwards, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to enjoy both a main course and dessert.
Final thoughts
From the moment this stall popped up on my Instagram feed, I was intrigued. Could there really be a fried chicken stall comparable to fast food chains at half the price?
Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised, and the trip was definitely worth it. Sure, you don’t get air conditioning as you would at a fast food chain— but for those of us who are just looking for good fried chicken without breaking the bank, Big Dot Chicken gets my stamp of approval.
Expected damage: S$1.50 – S$6 per pax
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