All Our Favorite Fried Chicken in Honolulu
Our Frolic and HONOLULU writers share their fave fried chicken finds.
Photo: Andrea Lee
Fat Cheeks
This lobster roll shop has an ace up its sleeve: the fried chicken sandwich ($12). The chicken fillet is juicy, well-seasoned and buoyantly crispy, served with pickles, red onions and tangy house sauce between toasted hamburger buns. If you want to notch up the heat, check out the spicy chicken sandwich ($12) or the hot chicken sandwich ($13). I recommend the spicy chicken sandwich, which adds just the right amount of zest without distracting from the delicious chicken. —Alexander Pang, Frolic
Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite B2115, Kaka‘ako, fatcheekshawaii.com, @fatcheekshawaii
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Foodland
It’s impossible to talk about local fried chicken without mentioning Foodland’s iconic salt-and-vinegar chicken wings. Just thinking about the tangy, savory smell that wafts out of the paper deli bag is making my mouth water. The meat is juicy, and if you catch a batch straight from the fryer, the skin is wonderfully crispy. Take it home by the pound or pre-order a four-pound party pan that serves 10 to 12. —Brie Thalmann, HONOLULU managing style editor
My mouth starts salivating the moment I get a craving for Foodland’s salt and vinegar wings. This has been a go-to of mine for years. It’s an easy pickup for dinner or potlucks and always a crowd-pleaser. The wings aren’t overly crispy, but they’ve got a solid fried skin-to-meat ratio. For me, it’s all about the salt and bold vinegar punch, an addictive combo. I’ll even stash extra in the fridge to eat cold the next day for lunch. —Cody Kawamoto, Frolic
Multiple locations, @foodlandhi
SEE ALSO: Potluck Go-Tos: Delicious Last-Minute Takeout Dishes for Parties on O‘ahu
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Fukuya Delicatessen
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I shifted my okazuya loyalty to Fukuya solely for their nori chicken. But if you’ve had a great piece, then you understand why. This favorite is not only iconic for its black seaweed obi belt but also a simple flavor that hits all the right salty-savory notes that mesh so well with the other brown foods it’s surrounded by in the trays behind the glass. —Thomas Obungen, HONOLULU special projects editor
I can’t think of a time I didn’t get some kind of fried chicken during a visit to Fukuya—and I’ve been coming here since I was in high school in the ’80s. My mainstay order has always been the bone-in fried chicken, which I like both warm and cold. Yet lately, I’ve been ordering the mochiko chicken and the nori chicken, which are full of flavor. What I love about the fried chicken here is that it’s not greasy, yet still juicy, with no gameyness and just the right amount of salt and crunch. —Diane Seo, HONOLULU editorial director
2710 S. King St., Mō‘ili‘ili, fukuyadeli.com, @fukuyadeli
Photo: Darlene Dela Cruz
Lucky Box
My friends and family know my favorite food is fried chicken. If it’s hot and crunchy, I’ll eat my share and more. The fried chicken at Lucky Box in Kalihi has become my go-to weekend treat. It reminds me of home, with a light, crispy, salt-and-pepper breading over juicy chicken thighs, just like my family used to make. The mini fried chicken plate ($11.99) comes with rice and mac salad, but I usually swap the mac for an extra scoop of rice to balance the richness of the chicken. It’s comfort food that always hits the spot. —Darlene Dela Cruz, Frolic
Multiple locations, @lucky_box_dillingham_ewabeach
SEE ALSO: How Fate Led to Karaage Fried Chicken: Tenkatori in Hilo
Photo: Andrea Lee
New Queen Barbeque
It’s been a while since I’ve been to New Queen Barbeque for my favorite fried chicken: the mochiko chicken, which is not only crazy good but cheap. So when I see the prices have gone up, I’m a little concerned. My dismay turns to delight upon receiving a full-size plate lunch after ordering the mini mochiko chicken ($11.45). Years before, the mini was packed in a Styrofoam box that fit in one hand.
The plate comes with a scoop of rice and mac salad and a big pile of mochiko chicken. It looks like what used to be the regular; can’t imagine what the regular portion is now ($15.55). The mochiko coating is thin, yet so crisp and flavorful with a surprising depth to the seasoning, giving way with a crunch to the juicy chicken. And I’m not even a mac salad person, but this one really hits the spot with its lightly peppered creaminess between bites of fried chicken. There’s enough for two meals, and I’m already looking forward to the leftovers. —Andrea Lee, HONOLULU digital editor
730 Queen St., Kaka‘ako, newqueenbbq.com, @newqueenbbq
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Pa‘ala‘a Kai Mini-Mart
So many things about this shop tell me to stay away, but I turn a blind eye when offered a piece of Pa‘ala‘a Kai Mini Mart fried chicken. It’s like the style of fried chicken you can find at Tanioka’s, but it has a bit more salt to it. My doc doesn’t approve of it, but when you’ve spent a day in the sun on the North Shore, you need to replenish those electrolytes somehow, right? —Thomas Obungen, HONOLULU special projects editor
66-945 Kaukonahua Road, Waialua, @paalaakai_minimart
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Tanioka’s
For me, fried chicken has to be crispy and salty. Fried chicken also has to be ready to go, but it doesn’t have to be hot to be good. When I’m headed to the beach on the West Side, my go-to fried chicken is from Tanioka’s. The signature crispy craggy crust makes the skin a delicacy all its own, made complete atop a yukari onigiri or with a tray of spicy ‘ahi on vinegared sushi rice. —Thomas Obungen, HONOLULU special projects editor
94-903 Farrington Highway, Waipahu, @taniokas
Photo: James Nakamura
Tonkatsu Sangi
I ordered the Nanban chicken and Mini Tan Tan ramen combo ($20.95) from Tonkatsu Sangi and couldn’t figure out which was the accompaniment. Was it a tan tan ramen with a side of Nanban chicken, or Nanban chicken with a side of tan tan ramen? If a dish like Sangi’s ramen starts to cool because you’re too busy with the chicken, then that tells you all you need to know. —James Nakamura, HONOLULU creative director
Pioneer Plaza, 900 Fort Street Mall, Downtown, tonkatsusangi.com, @tonkatsu_sangi
Read the rest of the series:
All Our Favorite Pizzas in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Burgers in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Matcha Drinks in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Shave Ices in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Sandwiches in Honolulu
