Fried & True: I’m a fried chicken fanatic, here’s my review of Hot Bird’s fried chicken

Welcome to Fried & True, where I embark on a crispy, juicy journey to discover the best fried chicken KL and PJ have to offer—one golden, crunchy bite at a time.

If you’re like me, nothing gets you quite as excited as the sound of a sizzling fry, the anticipation of that first bite, and the magic of a perfectly seasoned crust meeting tender chicken inside. In this post, I’m diving into Hot Bird’s fried chicken to see if it lives up to the hype. Ready to get fried and true?

Local couple’s take on Nashville fried chicken

Image Credit: Mohd Syafiq Shokery on Google Review (left), Rafiqah Maisarah (right)

Nestled in a corner lot in Damansara Uptown, you’ll find Malaysia’s first-ever Nashville-style hot chicken joint, Hot Bird.

This fiery little spot has been sizzling up the fried chicken scene for a while now, and I’ve had my fair share of mouth-watering visits. The brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Kelvin Wong and Yin Ee Wen, Hot Bird was born out of a pandemic-era leap of faith, combining their love for bold, spicy flavours with a passion for American-inspired comfort food. Kelvin’s obsession with Belles Hot Chicken in Melbourne spurred the idea to bring a piece of Nashville’s hot chicken culture to Malaysia with a classic diner experience. And boy, did they do it right.

Before the fried chicken frenzy took over KL and PJ, Hot Bird was already making waves, going viral, and setting the stage for the fried chicken hotspots that followed. Fast forward to today, and they’ve expanded to two more outlets, one in SS15 and another at The TRX Exchange. With an impressive 4.8-star rating and over 13,000 reviews across their outlets, it’s clear they’ve built a devoted fanbase. Major props to them for being one of the pioneers in the game.

Step inside their casual OG diner, and you’ll be hit with the intoxicating aroma of sizzling chicken, fresh out of the fryer. If you’ve never been, Hot Bird offers a range of six heat levels for every spice lover, from “No Heat” for the mild-mannered to the “Reaper” for those who dare face the inferno. The Reaper, made with the infamous California Reaper pepper, one of the hottest in the world, is not for the faint of heart so consider yourself warned.

Brownie points for Hot Bird

To achieve that perfectly juicy, flavour-packed chicken, Hot Bird brines their chicken for five hours and fries it only upon order, ensuring that irresistible crunch every single time. The owners also shared that they drizzle their signature Nashville hot oil (a secret recipe), infused with cayenne and garlic, over the chicken, then finish it off with a sprinkle of various pepper powders for that extra kick.

Here’s the best part; you get to choose between the thigh or drumstick! No dry breast meat in sight at Hot Bird. Honestly, I think more fried chicken joints should offer this option, and Hot Bird definitely gets brownie points for staying ahead of the game.

My review

Image Credit: Suzieyati Mohd Razis on Google Review (left), Top Boy (right)

My perfect Hot Bird has got to be an ala carte fried chicken thigh (Level: Hot), the Birdie Burger (Level: Super Hot), and a side of Southern gravy.

Their fried chicken is often fried to perfection; crispy, juicy, tender, and spicy. Though there are times when it can lean a bit oily, which can be disappointing, the overall flavour, crunch, and satisfaction are hard to beat. Honestly, Hot Bird delivers a pretty solid fried chicken experience. Pair that with their Southern gravy and you’ve got a match made in heaven. The gravy is peppery and near-perfect—definitely not your typical bland, watery side sauce. It adds a whole new level of deliciousness to the chicken. When I’m feeling extra, I’ll toss in a side of ranch for that true Nashville vibe. I’d give Hot Bird a solid 8/10 for their fried chicken. A pretty good start to this fried chicken series, eh?

I have to admit, the Birdie Burger is a darn good chicken burger, though it doesn’t quite dethrone my go-to Spicy Chicken McDeluxe. Still, it’s a messy, saucy masterpiece, with a tender piece of fried chicken. The slaw and pickles are flavoursome and add a satisfying crunch with every bite. It falls apart a little too quickly, but each bite is absolutely delicious.

I’ve also tried their Jumbo Tenders, which are massive and pretty good for the price. They’re a bit on the dry side and could use more tenderness, but a quick dip in sauce solves that. As for their other sauces, the comeback sauce is similar to MyBurgerLab’s, though it doesn’t pack the same punch. The garlic mayo, on the other hand, is a bit underwhelming and could definitely use more garlic and taste.

A tough act to follow: who will beat Hot Bird?

Image Credit: Dibafiqa on Google Review (left), Ryn Wen (right)

Overall, Hot Bird has earned its spot as one of my go-to places when I’m craving solid fried chicken. While I wouldn’t call it pricey, it’s definitely more of a once-in-a-while treat. The fried chicken, tenders, and Birdie Burger each bring their own unique satisfaction to the table, and honestly, I can’t complain much. If you’re after fried chicken with that unmistakable Nashville kick, Hot Bird is the place to go.

Now, as I dive into this fried chicken journey, the question lingers: will it be hard to find spots that top Hot Bird?

And really, can you think of a better comfort food than fried chicken? I’ll wait.