Five to Try: Adelaide’s best fried chicken

From authentic Nashville-style to New Orleans-inspired and traditional Korean, we’ve scoured the best fried chicken joints across Adelaide.

Five to Try: Cheekies Hot Chicken. Pics: Social media.

Crispy, crunchy, juicy, salty, spicy, sweet … there is little more satisfying than fried chicken, no matter how you like it.

To toast International Fried Chicken Day on July 6, here are five of the best around Adelaide.

Belles Hot Chicken

Five to Try: Belles Hot Chicken. Pics: Social media.

For a true taste of Tennessee, look no further than this cult fried chicken outfit which finally arrived in Adelaide last year.

Choose from their signature wings or tenders, hand-coated in seasoned flour, deep-fried in masala chicken fat then dipped in their spicy mix which features six different levels of heat.

Five to Try: Belles Hot Chicken. Pics: Social media.

These range from Original Nashville, to Hot, Really Hot, and lastly, Really F**kin Hot – all pretty self-explanatory.

Their succulent sandwiches are also popular, and come with a side; we suggest their crunchy, crinkle cut salt fries.

14 Hindley St, Adelaide

NOLA Adelaide

Five to Try: Best Fried Chicken - NOLA. Pics: Social media.

If you’re named after a city famous for fried chicken, you’d better deliver on that dish.

Thankfully, this New Orleans-inspired bar and eatery lives up to their moniker, serving up delicious Creole and Cajun chicken three ways.

There’s the classic tender chicken thigh, crispy fried with a hint of spice and garlic aioli on the side. Another version is served with blue cheese sauce, or there’s one with extra heat, which sees the chicken rolled in NOLA’s own spicy butter. Come after 10.30pm and grab three pieces for just $20.

28 Vardon Ave, Adelaide

Ban Ban

Kim Bui and Skylar Pham with Ban Ban Fried Chicken. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Crunchy and salty on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside, Ban Ban was one of the first – and among the best – Korean fried chicken joints to launch in Adelaide.

They serve up their signature drumsticks, wings or boneless pieces with a choice of five sauces, ranging from original to sweet and spicy, plus an “angry sauce” if you’re keen for some extra heat.

There’s even a tasty vegan option, which offers the same great taste but is completely plant-based, so no one has to miss out.

Port Adelaide Plaza and CBD – Franklin St and Rundle Mall

Cheekies Hot Chicken

Five to Try: Cheekies Hot Chicken. Pics: Social media.

For a full, flavoursome bird, look no further than this Nashville-style fried chicken diner located inside BRKLYN bar.

Their chicken – breast or thigh – is buttermilk-brined, coated with flour, fried, then dunked in Cheekies’ signature spiced oil.

After that, there’s one more coat to come: their secret spice mix, which features six tiers of zing, peaking with their “off-menu” heat.

If you’re game, there’s also a “challenge tender” featuring chicken covered in a spice combination starring habanero, scotch bonnet, ghost peppers and Carolina reapers. Tread very carefully!

260A Rundle St, Adelaide

KOKKO

Five to Try: KOKKO. Pics: Social media.

This delightful Korean fried chicken shop – named after the sound a chicken makes in Korean – has a secret recipe with 12 ingredients.

Their signature chook comes in juicy wing pieces and boneless breast fillets, with a range of special sauces, from sweet and spicy garlic, to handmade citrus mayo, honey mustard and sweet soy.

Each serving comes with French fries and optional pickles. Quality control is of utmost importance here, with a commitment to making everything from scratch – and you can taste the difference.

1/1 Margaret St, Norwood