Best fried chicken in Klang Valley
One thing is obvious about us Malaysians: We can’t resist getting our fingers dirty with crispy fried chicken. Unsurprisingly, there are a good number of fast-food joints and roadside stalls in the Klang Valley that promise a delicious meal of fried chicken, which we turn to again and again.
While there’s the obvious KFC and Texas Chicken, we rounded up some homegrown chicken shops that batter up some of the best fried chicken in the country, so you can find a new favourite – or two – while supporting local.
Table of Contents
1. Gerai Ah Kow
Famous sesame & Horlicks fried chicken
Since the 1970s, Gerai Ah Kow has been serving sesame fried chicken to Malaysians from all walks of life. Since the owner’s son took over the business, the fried chicken has been given another spin: Horlicks sesame fried chicken (RM16), which is served similar to chicken rice with an optional bowl of rice (RM2.50) and a side of spicy chilli sauce.
It’s all in the crisp, golden chicken skin and careful preparation method at Gerai Ah Kow.
The frying batter is made with white sesame seeds, Sarawak pepper, and the kicker – Horlicks, a sweet malted milk powder, that gives the chicken that distinct crisp. The batter coats the chicken for three days before it gets fried at a specific temperature for 30 minutes.
Address: Lorong Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50400, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon 9am-5pm | Tue-Sat 10.30-5pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 011-5221 1007 | Gerai Ah Kow Facebook
2. Lim Fried Chicken
Fried chicken since 1983
It’s like KFC, but with an L – it’s none other than Lim Fried Chicken. Established in 1983 in Subang Jaya, inside Wong Skoon Kee Kopitiam, this chicken shop has ballooned into a go-to spot for no-frills fried chicken among locals. They now operate seven outlets in Klang Valley.
Their signature: Deep-fried whole chicken leg with light crisp batter and juicy meat, served with sweet sambal over your choice of carbs: fluffy white rice, curry-drenched rice, nasi lemak, or chee cheong fun.
Patrons often rave about the consistent flavours and generous portions of chicken cuts here, with set menus priced between RM13 and RM16.
SS2 branch
Address: 46, Jalan SS2/24, SS2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 10.30am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 03-7863 0266 | Lim Fried Chicken website
3. Hot Bird
Varying levels of spicy fried chicken
Hot Bird is one of the newer homegrown chicken shops in Klang Valley. It was founded in 2022 by a husband-and-wife duo in Damansara Utama, who sought to bring to Malaysians a taste of Nashville fried chicken – spicy, deeply pigmented speciality from the US that’s satisfyingly spicy and lip-smackingly flavourful.
Staying true to the business of spice, Hot Bird offers varying spice levels for their fried chicken that’s been localised to bring Malaysians even more heat. Start with no heat, onward to Mild, Hot, Super Hot, Burn Baby Burn, and finally, the tongue-busting Reaper.
Image adapted from: @hot_bird_malaysia via Instagram
As for chicken, it’s known for having a superior crispy skin that coats juicy chicken thigh or drumstick. Prices for a meal here start from RM24.90 for two pieces of fried chicken with coleslaw and a drink.
Long queues are expected on the weekends, but Hot Bird now has four outlets in Klang Valley to welcome even more hungry diners: Damansara Utama, SS15, Puchong, and The Exchange TRX.
Damansara Utama branch
Address: 83 Ground Floor, Jalan SS 21/1a, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 12pm-9.30pm, Daily
Contact: 012-399 7835 | Hot Bird Instagram
4. FowlBoys
Southern-style fried chicken
Image credit: @fowlboyskl via Instagram
Like many modern-day businesses, FowlBoys had its start during the Covid-19 pandemic. It operated as an online business and later as a cloud kitchen. In 2021, the owners launched a full-fledged outlet in SS15, where they’ve been pressure-frying golden-brown chicken and stacking chicken sandwiches to order for diners ever since.
The menu here is your classic American diner fare: milkshakes, deep-fried mac and cheese, wings, chicken sandwiches, and their must-try, Southern-style Batter Up (RM30.90) – two hefty, crisp fried chicken over a pair of buttermilk waffles, with maple syrup and a housemade jam.
If you’re strictly here for chicken, a platter of two chicken thighs or drumsticks will set you back RM24.50, with four tenders going for RM20.90. There are five heat levels to pick from, including original, and dipping sauces (RM2.50) like ranch, garlic parmesan, and buffalo sauce.
SS15 branch
Address: 38, Jalan SS 15/4b, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 12pm-10pm, Daily
Contact: 016-607 7601 | FowlBoys website
5. Borenos Fried Chicken
A fast food chain from Sabah
Image credit: @borenosfriedchicken via Instagram
Better late than never, Kota Kinabalu’s Borenos Fried Chicken landed in Klang Valley back in 2024, bringing a slice of Sabah’s warm hospitality and bold flavours to the fast-food scene here.
Image credit: @borenosfriedchicken via Instagram
Borenos fries everything upon order, resulting in piping-hot fried chicken with a satisfying crisp, light exterior and succulent, juicy meat inside. If your hands get dirty on chicken here, it’ll likely be from the meat juices and not oil. Each piece comes generously sized and evenly seasoned with a mild peppery spice blend.
A Chicken Meal, with two chickens, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and a drink, will set you back RM19.80, while a half-chicken, the Half Spring Meal (RM28.90), is also reasonably priced.
Puchong branch
Address: E-G-27, IOI Boulevard, Jalan Kenari 5, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong, Selangor
Opening hours: 11am-11pm, Daily
Contact: 018-382 9988 | Borenos Fried Chicken Facebook
6. K Fry
Korean-style fried chicken
Image credit: @kfrymy via Instagram
When you’re craving the other KFC – ahem, Korean fried chicken – K Fry is a homegrown brand that delivers on Korean-style fried chicken.
The brand has become a fast favourite among K-style fried chicken, with its signature offering, the K’rispy Chicks (from RM37.90), coming in popular Korean flavours such as garlic soya, snow cheese, and honey butter. There are also boneless versions in the same flavours, the soonsal, priced at RM25.70 for six pieces.
Image credit: @kfrymy via Instagram
Plus, they have outlets in high-traffic areas such as The Exchange TRX, IOI City Mall, and 1 Utama Shopping Centre, making it easy to satisfy your cravings wherever you are.
The Exchange TRX branch
Address: C.53, Level Concourse, Plaza The Exchange TRX, Persiaran TRX, 55188, Tun Razak Exchange, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
See all K Fry locations here.
7. Chicken & Beer
Chicken and beer
Malaysia now has its spin on chimaek – chicken and beer – thanks to Chicken & Beer in Damansara Uptown. The menu here is all about fried chicken – enjoyed on its own, or with waffles, sambal curry rice, or Indomie.
The signature CB Golden Crispy (RM19.90) is paired with skin-on fries, coleslaw, and extra seasonings like pepper and chilli flakes. It was also served piping hot – when teeth meet meat, juice will drip down your fingers. Flavours don’t just linger on the crisp skin, but seep into the meat as well.
Address: 72, Ground Floor, Jalan SS21/35, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 11am-12am, Daily
Contact: 014-321 3523 | Chicken & Beer Instagram
8. Winner’s Fried Chicken
Hawker-style fried chicken
Don’t wait for a winner, winner chicken dinner moment to enjoy Winner’s Fried Chicken (WFC). Best known for delivering fried chicken with a hawker-style charm, WFC was founded by Madam Loh Ah Heng, who opened the first store at Ipoh’s Kampung Simee in the early 1980s.
Today, the humble hawker stall has become a Malaysian hawker franchise chain, with multiple WFC locations around Malaysia and Singapore. You’ll find them at Cheras’ 323 Lucky Village Food Court and Pudu’s Sei Ngan Chye.
Image credit: @winnersfriedchicken via Instagram
Its fried chicken features a distinctive mashed-up seasoning blend that delivers bold, street-style flavour. The result is crispy, succulent chicken that’s both affordable and satisfying, often enjoyed with simple sides like fried rice or fries.
Cheras branch
Address: 323 Lucky Village Food Court, 16, Jalan Bunga Tanjung 8B, Taman Muda, 56100 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 4.30pm until sold out
Contact: 019-291 2772 | Winner’s Fried Chicken Facebook
9. Pretty’s Hot Chicken
A chicken shop that opens till late
Image credit: @prettyshotchicken via Instagram
If you’re big on dips, turn to Pretty’s Hot Chicken. They may have gained wide attention for releasing The Pretty Claw – a burger with a deep-fried chicken leg hanging from the buns – but their Nashville-style fried chicken (RM8/pc) and tenders (RM5/pc) that can be paired with a literal cup of dip are the true mainstays.
Their outlets also open as late as 1.30am, so you can enjoy fried chicken for supper.
The seasoning at Pretty’s Hot Chicken coats the crispy skin rather than the meat. Five different dipping options, such as honey and sambal, are served American-style – in a literal cup – so you can fully submerge your chicken for even more punchy flavours. You’ll also be asked to pick from four spice levels, including original.
Damansara Uptown branch
Address: 13-G, Jalan SS 21/1a, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 12pm-1.30am, Daily
Contact: Pretty’s Hot Chicken Instagram
10. SugarBun
Broasted chicken from Borneo
Image credit: SugarBun
SugarBun is a proudly homegrown brand from Borneo that has steadily made its mark across Malaysia, proudly landing in KL back in 2016. The brand’s signature offerings include broasted chicken – a method of pressure-frying and shallow-frying chicken that results in a crunchy yet light skin, with the juiciness of the meat locked in.
Meals are typically served with rice, adding a local touch that sets it apart from typical Western fast food chains.
Address: Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-8pm | Sat 11am-3pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 016-231 3703 | SugarBun Facebook
Local fried chicken joints in Klang Valley
Whether you’re drawn to the fiery kick of Nashville spice or a bold twist like Horlicks sesame, Malaysia’s local fried chicken scene offers far more than just crunch.
So the next time your cravings hit, skip the usual and sink your teeth into something proudly local.
For more dining options, check out:
Cover image adapted from: @hot_bird_malaysia via Instagram, TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Additional reporting by Janet.