When it comes to indulgent gluttony, nothing quite beats the satisfying crunch of a juicy, golden piece of fried chicken. As a global city, Hong Kong is saturated with fried chicken styles from around the world. The Korean chicken craze is just the latest in a strong line-up of contenders of the best fried chicken in town.
When we’re craving the goodness of fried chook, these are the top restaurants we head to in order to satisfy the urge – be it a Southern-style drumstick or a saucy Korean thigh.
Which one will become your next guilty pleasure?
The best fried chicken in Hong Kong
HOT-STAR Large Fried Chicken
With 30 locations across Hong Kong, it’s no wonder that HOT-STAR Large Fried Chicken dominates the scene and conversation with its true-to-taste Taiwanese bites of meaty and spicy chicken. The large fried chicken (HKD42), the chain’s signature – salty, juicy, crispy perfection – comes in original or spicy flavours. Plan your trip around Kowloon to get your fill of HOT-STAR, where most of the shops are located.
HOT-STAR Large Fried Chicken, multiple locations across Hong Kong
Red Chicken
Landing in Hong Kong from Seoul, Red Chicken is a Korean pub chain with locations in Hung Hom, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Tseung Kwan O. Their speciality is sweet, sour, and spicy fried chicken. The snowy Cajun onion-flavoured fried chicken (HKD178) is a golden pick in Hong Kong, maintaining a crisp shell and tender chicken meat with plenty of salt-loaded seasoning. Make sure to feed on the free-flow pickled radish too.
Red Chicken, multiple locations across Hong Kong
Graceland
Southern-style gastropub Graceland is a Mong Kok favourite. A scrumptious fried chicken option here marrying sweet and savoury comes in the form of Graceland’s chicken and waffles (HKD158). The chicken thigh is first marinated in ranch to increase the umami, then battered and fried to perfection. The coup de grâce is a side of luscious maple syrup for pouring to your heart’s content.
Graceland, Shop B, G/F, Lisa House, 12–14A Yim Po Fong Street, Mong Kok, 6112 9448, book here
Hansik Goo
Hansik Goo offers its Michelin-starred Korean fried chicken (HKD128/3pcs; HKD198/5pcs) as an add-on to its lunch and dinner tasting menus. Even if you’re stuffed to the gills, we think lauded chef Mingoo Kang’s KFC is unmissable. Chunks of succulent thigh meat are coated in an incredibly crunchy batter and then drizzled in a zesty, syrupy yuzu-garlic sauce. Every bite of these morsels is euphoric, and we think it rates as the best Korean fried chicken in town.
Hansik Goo, 1/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, 2798 8768, book here
The Last Resort
The Last Resort’s fried chicken (HKD200/HKD350) comes in both original and hot varieties. Both are fantastic, so it all depends on your mood and spice tolerance. The eatery uses prized local three-yellow chicken, known for its extra layer of fat and depth of flavour. The Last Resort’s fried chicken is super juicy, well seasoned with a blend of 12 secret spices, and beyond crunchy. Order the spicy buffalo dip (HKD15) on the side and you’re golden.
The Last Resort is delivery only; order here
Honky Tonks Tavern
Another top pick for fried chicken in Central, friendly neighbourhood watering hole Honky Tonks Tavern has a very fitting motto of “love, peace, and chicken grease.” We recommend pairing Honky’s boozy hard slushie of the week with an original or spicy hot chicken platter (HKD125/HKD220), which comes with slaw, pickles, and gravy, for a true taste of Americana.
Honky Tonks Tavern, G/F, 75 Hollywood Road (enter via Man Hing Lane), Central
