It’s a scientifically proven fact that fried chicken is the way to anyone’s heart. Unless your heart is vegan…in which case you’ve made a wrong turn. Go back – now. For those of you who are still with us, we’ve scoured high and low across Sydney town for the best fried chicken you can get your greasy hands on. Listen with your ears and follow with your bellies as we run you through a hit list of Sydney’s finest fried chicken institutions.
Butter
6 Hunt St, Surry Hills
Fried chicken meets sneakers at this popular fried chicken institution which is infamous for its extravagant creations involving, you guessed it, fried chicken. Their fried chicken comes in novelty shoe boxes (unused) and a list of saucy hot condiments. Those who aren’t keen on plain old fried chicken can opt for fried chicken sandwiches topped with dashi butter and insane sides like Nutella loaded fries.
Juicy Lucy
232A Elizabeth St, Surry Hills
Located just a stone’s throw away from Butter is another fried chicken hot spot with a twist. Juicy Lucy takes South-East Asian flavours and pairs it with classic fried chicken for an explosion of unique flavours you won’t find anywhere else. Two words: Sriracha mayo. And a few more words: take away only as the shop has limited eating and it does get packed.
Thirsty Bird
3/2-14 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point
Thirsty Bird is the sister store to Sydney’s famous Mr. Crackles. If the name didn’t give it away they do southern friend chicken here and know how to do it right in buckets. There’s also sides like mac ‘n’ cheese with bacon or sweet potato waffle fries with chilli aioli.
Belles Hot Chicken
5/33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Headed by dude food extraordinaire Morgan McGlone, Belle’s Hot Chicken is a tour of American-style fried chicken with a spicy twist. There’s everything from tenders to drumsticks to wings slathered in a McGlone’s signature spices and backed up by even spicier sauces. There’s also multiple locations in Sydney so you won’t need to go far for a dirty bird feed.
Chicken & Sons
381 Crown St, Surry Hills
The guys who run this chicken joint are chefs from Michelin star restaurants, so you know the fried goods are actually good. How good? The fried chicken is prepared in a smoker for that true BBQ flavour. The only issue you’re likely to face is finding the place as it’s located inside The White Horse hotel.
Hot Star Large Fried Chicken
96 Liverpool St, Sydney
This is a no-nonsense fried chicken joint hailing from Taiwan, so the flavours are unique and the chicken pieces the size of your face. Forget about seats though this is a grab and go affair where you get your oversized fried chicken in a paper bag that’s guaranteed to burn straight through your hands.
Mary’s Burgers
6 Mary St, Newtown
Mary’s is now considered an institution in Sydney’s burger scene but they also do a mean fried chicken. They do a half fried bird here, whole bird or something called the Larry Bird which can all be further enhanced with mash and gravy. Two locations in Sydney town means twice the fried chicken goodness.
Bar Ume
478 Bourke St, Surry Hills
For a true taste of Japan without actually going to Japan, hit up Bar Ume for their Koji fried chicken which comes with a choice of either Japanese mayo, tonkatsu sauce, nori mayo, yuzu kosho mayo or mentai mayo. They also do Japanese style burgers but you’re not there for that.
Gogyo
52-54 Albion St, Surry Hills
It’s about the ramen here but go for their side of fried chicken and you won’t be disappointed. Crispy on the outside, moist but not oily on the inside, the fried chicken here is delectably paired with Japanese chilli powder mayo for a nice little kick.
KOGI Korean BBQ
Level 3 Market City, 9-13 Hay St, Haymarket
Come for the Korean BBQ, stay for the fried chicken. The fried chicken here comes with a choice of Korean sauces like soy and chilli with the option to throw on some melted cheese. Whichever you choose you’ll definitely walk out a happy camper.
Makan By Chef Tan
Shop 13/166 Military Rd, Neutral Bay
As the only Malaysian-style fried chicken on the list you can bet that Makan By Chef Tan can provide the goods – just don’t call it southern style. Ayam Goreng is what it’s known as in Malasia and this one comes in half a bird that’s served with traditional Hainanese chilli sauce and cucumber.
Vic’s Meat Market
50-60 Bank St, Pyrmont
Smoked meats aren’t the only attraction to the fish markets. Let the smell of cajun fried chicken win you over at this butcher-turned-grill house which oddly does a mean fried chicken side as well. Given it’s run by the guys at Victor Churchill, you can rest assured that the standard will be high.