Fried chicken bucket list: Karaage, gai tod, yangneom, and more

Many think of the United States as the birthplace of fried chicken (though, some historians disagree). Southern fried chicken, also referred to as country fried chicken or simply, fried chicken is perhaps the most familiar and common across the planet thanks to international institutions like Popeyes, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and other American classics.

Although not always the case, these relatively large pieces of chicken will sometimes be marinated in a buttermilk-based brine (sometimes called Chicken Maryland), which not only adds flavour to the meat but tenderises it, too.

If you love Southern fried chicken but are after something with some heat, the Nashville hot chicken is right up your alley: a red-tinged Tennessee take on the classic with a spicy coating, packed with cayenne pepper.

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For the most part, the origins of buffalo wings are largely undisputed. First served in 1964 at Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, the sports bar staple is widely credited to Teresa Bellisimo, who allegedly invented the wings, blue cheese dip, celery side combo on the fly. Fast forward 58 years later, and the messy, spicy, bright orange chicken dish has inspired annual wing-eating competitions and even a popular interview series that tests its guests’ spice tolerance.

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Easily found at streetside carts in Thailand, gai tod is a crunchy Thai-style fried chicken that bursts with savoury flavours of garlic, coriander seeds, pepper, and oyster sauce, best enjoyed with rice and chilli sauce. Traditionally coated in rice flour before frying, the chicken skin boasts a distinct crispness and lightness that keeps you coming back for more.

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Put simply, Pollo Campero is Latin America’s crave-worthy answer to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Since opening its doors in the ‘70s, the Guatemalan food chain, (which translates to “country chicken”) has amassed passionate patronage across Central America and has now even made waves in the US with its fried chicken. Juicy on the inside yet crispy on the outside, the comfort food is coated in top-secret dredging that imparts the unique flavour that has turned the chain into an international success.

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Better known in the West as popcorn chicken, Taiwanese fried chicken is a highly addictive street food made to be enjoyed as you walk the streets of Taiwan. Made with a potato starch dredge to achieve a lighter yet crispier exterior and often served with some fried basil leaves, it‘s a unique experience worthy of any foodie’s bucket list.

Tatler Trivia: on the opposite end of the spectrum is the hefty servings of fried chicken at Taiwanese chain Hot Star Large Fried Chicken, first introduced in 1992. Flat and surely large, it is also a popular street food item as it is designed to be enjoyed with one hand.

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Although there are different ways of preparing Chicken 65 (e.g. Andhra, Madurai, etc.), the Indian dish is essentially a deep-fried, fried chicken variant that bursts with much-loved spices of the region. Curry leaves, ginger, garlic, chilli powder, and cumin are typically blended to achieve Chicken 65’s special flavour, with Kashmiri chilli powder added to get that bright red hue.

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Thanks to a double-fry method, Korean fried chicken offers a crunch few can compete with. Often, the sinful delight is coated in a luscious spicy glaze with a deep gochujang flavour, creating what is known as yangneom—and even then, the audible crunch endures through the entire bucket when done right. Served with pickled radish and cucumbers to add some brightness to the otherwise heavy profile, Korean fried chicken is also great with an ice-cold beer, a pairing known as chimaek.

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Har cheong gai or prawn paste chicken is a local favourite in Singapore. By coating pieces of chicken in a prawn paste batter, you attain a robust and one-of-a-kind flavour that penetrates the meat. Expect bursts of umami and a distinct, pungent aroma with every bite of the golden-brown staple, typically served with lime wedges and chilli sauce.

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A mainstay in Cantonese cuisine, this take on crispy fried chicken has a remarkably thin but extremely crunchy skin, delectably juxtaposed against the tender meat within. After the bird is poached in a fragrant blend of aromatics and spices, the chicken is then dried, coated in a deep dark syrup, and allowed to dry once more before being deep-fried. 

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Lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and shallots offer a uniquely Southeast Asian flavour profile to the ayam goreng, a fried chicken dish popular in Malaysia and Indonesia. In fact, the chicken is so deeply flavoured from the skin to the bone that you need not enjoy ayam goreng with any sauce or condiment. Best enjoyed with fragrant coconut rice or in a generous nasi goreng, it’s a surefire hit for any meal of the day.

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