Craving fried chicken? Me too. Here are some of the best fried chickens I’ve found in Shanghai. To be specific, I’m talking “big piece” fried chicken, none of those skinny wings.
I’m sure there are plenty more gems out there, but I’m all tapped out on my cholesterol quota. If you have your favorites, please share them in the comments below!
bb·q chicken
Address: 22A, 1/F, 133-3 Tianyaoqiao Lu
Tel: 18017983897
Hours: Daily, 11am-midnight
Address: 1/F, 58 Yuyuan Dong Lu 愚园东路58号
Tel: 18916757962
Hours: Daily, 11am-midnight
Address: No. 303, 3/F, 1000 Hongsong Dong Lu 红松东路1000号3层303室
Tel: 13122335056
Hours: Daily, 10:30am-11:30pm
bb·q chicken was recommended to me by a fellow foodie, and boy, it did not disappoint! Freaking delicious fried chicken at this long-standing restaurant in Gubei.
I couldn’t make the trip for bb·q chicken, so I got it delivered instead. The result was fantastic. It arrived under 40 minutes (from Gubei to Huangpu) during the dinner rush, still piping hot.
The skin was crispy and craggy, and the batter was surprisingly light. It was not at all greasy, the meat was juicy, and it was perfectly seasoned.
Their signature and “original flavor” is the Olive Chicken (¥62/four, ¥119/eight pieces). I highly recommend getting the spicy version too, which packs quite some heat.
Delivery depends on your proximity, available via Dianping/Meituan. Multiple stores.
Bulloman 富乐满
Address: No. 9, 1051 Hongquan Lu 红泉路1051弄9号
Tel: 34323051
Hours: Daily, 11am-midnight
Bulloman has been operating in Shanghai for 18 years, serving up fried chicken doused in a dozen different sauces alongside other Korean dishes like army stew.
You can order up a half or whole original flavor fried chicken (¥50/¥85), sauced for ¥55/¥95, or even a whole chicken half-and-half with two sauces. Flavors include spicy Korean-style, butter garlic, sweet and spicy, and even one with something called “sweet cheese”.
I’m more a classic and Korean-style gal, but you do you.
Crush (Closed)
Address: 819 Shaanxi Bei Lu 陕西北路819号
Tel: 62199005
Hours: Tue-Fri, 5pm-1am; Sat-Sun, 11:30am-1am; closed Monday
Crush is a New York-style wine bistro in Jing’an, located across from Shankang Li. It’s an unpretentious wine bar that serves a modern American menu. More on Crush, click here.
The fried chicken here is excellent. It’s gourmet, next level stuff.
The chicken is marinated for two days in 12-spice buttermilk brine, and then smoked, then sous vide, then fried. It comes served with a slaw and house-made hot sauce, which actually is more sweet than spicy. The chicken is available daily for ¥348, on deal day Wednesdays it’s ¥268. Limited portions available, book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Bubba’s (Closed)
Address: Rm 103, Bldg 18, Shankang Li, 808 Shaanxi Bei Lu 陕西北路808号18号楼103室
Tel: 62730283
Hours: Tue-Sun, 12pm-10pm; closed Monday
Bubba’s is Shanghai’s longest running Texas barbecue restaurant, located in Shankang Li. More on Bubba’s, click here.
In addition to their delicious barbecued meats, Bubba’s also serves up fried chicken, which is only available Fridays and Saturdays until sold out.
The “Chef’s Fried Chicken” was created by the Bubba’s chipper Filipino staff, and had been a secret menu item made available only to founder Ken Walker up until recently.
The chicken is brined for two days before hitting the deep fryer. There are two variations; the original recipe has a delightful lemon-pepper finish on the crust, and the a “hot” version gives a low, slow burn. Solid fried chicken! I favor the hot. It’s ¥98 for three pieces, served atop fries.
Highline
Address: 6/F, 282 Huaihai Zhong Lu 淮海中路282号雅诗阁公寓6楼
Tel: 63330176
Hours: Mon-Fri, 2:30pm-midnight; Sat-Sun, 11am-midnight
Those looking for a fried chicken brunch option can turn to Highline.
Their Chicken and Waffles (¥188) comes served with three pieces of buttermilk brined fried chicken, Cajun spiced waffles, bacon-butter, and maple syrup. I usually just skip the waffles. Only available during brunch, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3:30pm.
The Fast Food Kind
I’ve also been told that KFC needs to be mentioned. Truth, but only if it comes out as a fresh batch!
I also tried a couple cheap chains. One called Midodo蜜哆哆 (via delivery) was passable if you have a craving and need something in a pinch. However, I found them a tad salty. It is cheap as chips, though. It’s ¥45 for a half chicken, ¥75 for a whole. And depending on your Eleme deal of the day, you can get two large thighs with drumstick attached for as little as ¥30.80. Customizable sauces. Multple locations, and some deliver up to 3am.
I’d still choose KFC as a fast food option, though.
The Korean fast food option would have to be Kyochon.
