What’s gooooood – I’m back for the regular scheduled programming of the monthly food takeover, hosted by yours truly. Thank you for joining me in the inaugural entry of uMAHmi on the ICYT weekly newsletter. Each column will have a monthly Meal Check, discussing some of my favourite things I’ve eaten in the past month and where to find them. Stay tuned for future columns featuring some of the crew’s favourite spots around the city, friends doing it right in the culinary space, and others in the hospitality business constantly pushing the boundaries of the Edmonton food scene.   

It goes without saying, but in these tough times, don’t forget to support your local restaurants still hustling to keep their head above water. Order an extra dish or two if you can to enjoy the next day, drop some off to friends/family, get that dish you always wanted to try but never got around to – I’m sure these restaurants truly appreciate any extra business and support they can get in these unprecedented times. 

Finally without further ado, this is your warning not to read on an empty stomach – now let’s get into it! 

1. wing Chicx (Korean Grill 2) - 2912 Ellwood Dr SW #28, Edmonton, AB 

This chicken is arguably the best fried chicken in the city.  Most times I usually find myself gravitating towards Korean fried chicken. The flavour of sweet and savoury is the ultimate combination - coating the perfectly light crisp, juicy chicken in a pristine shining glaze. The signature delicate crispy batter usually comes from a combination of two techniques: double frying and coating the chicken in rice or potato flour. The double frying technique seals in all the juices, while the flour keeps the crisp exterior light and not overly greasy. This mom and pop shop cooks their fried chicken whole utilizing the entire bird, so you won’t necessarily be getting all cookie cutter/picture perfect pieces like you would at typical fast food chicken places (thighs, drums, breast, wing, etc). The juiciness of their chicken is undefeated, simply put. My go to’s are the Sweet & Spicy and the Soy Garlic, but even the OG Crispy on its own with a bowl of rice is simply perfection with their in-house kimchi and banchan (Korean side dishes) *chef’s kiss*. The chicken is top tier and I’ve never been disappointed when I visit.  Staff are always friendly and polite, beer is cheap, and their other food will satisfy your other Korean cravings as well. A few favourites that are also often ordered are the Budae Jjigae, LA Galbi, and really any of their in-house stews.

2. Cố Đô Huế - 12819 140 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB / 9524 163 St NW Edmonton, AB / 5233 167 Ave NW, Edmonton AB 

You might be thinking “what is a pho spot doing on a column about fried chicken?”, but for those who’ve been to Cố Đô Huế, you already know. The must order appetizer with your pho, rice plate, or vermicelli is their signature Spicy Crispy Chicken Wings. Always fried fresh to order, these wings come out of the kitchen piping hot. The batter on the chicken is super crispy and covers each piece with all these tiny imperfections of deep fried goodness sealing in the natural juices. All the tiny deep fried crevices act as the perfect vehicle for carrying their signature seasoning that covers their wings. The insanely addicting flavour of the fried chicken is spicy, salty, but ever so slightly sweet.  The dish is tied all together by the amazing stir fried aromatics of the garlic and chili peppers (equally delicious on their deep fried squid). I don’t think I’ve ever ordered from Cố Đô Huế and not gotten a round of Spicy Crispy Chicken Wings. Even when people at the table are bullish on the idea of appetizers, the plate is cleaned up quickly once the table is blessed with the aroma of the fried chicken. Once the chicken is all gone, scoop up all that delicious deep fried garlic and chili peppers and add them to your meal to savour every last bit of that addicting seasoning – it goes perfectly with white rice or your vermicelli bowl.  

3. Tropika Malaysian Cuisine - 6004 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB 

Tropika has been a staple in the city for many years. They are well known for various signature dishes like their Satay Skewers, Roti Canai, and Kari Kambing (Lamb), and many more. One of the more underrated dishes on their menu is their Malaysian Homestyle Chicken. This take on fried chicken is not often seen around the city. Pieces of chicken are deep fried and seasoned with the salty, and slightly sweet seasoning with next to no batter or coating. The chicken skin crisps up and leaving the chicken with crusted exterior and juicy meat inside. The deep fried skin seals in the fat and makes for the best bite on each piece. It might not be what most expect when they think fried chicken but, it’s delicious none the less. When ordering it during dine-in, the Homestyle Chicken is served with multicolour freshly fried shrimp chips - which hits me with all the nostalgic feels of countless Chinese wedding banquets as a kid. A couple pro tips to enhance your fried chicken experience at Tropika: ask politely for a side of Sambal (chili sauce/paste) they use on their famous Sambal Green Beans, and don’t forget to save your Roti Canai. 

Honorable Mentions  

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of these other beloved fried chicken spots around the city. There’s a spot for whatever you’re in the mood for. See below for some other places that you can get some A1 fried chicken.

• Coco’s Fried Chicken: ELITE tier Korean Fried Chicken, I find myself going here most times I’m craving fried chicken. They have a great lunch deal as well – super friendly staff.

• Seoul Fried Chicken: Can’t talk fried chicken without mentioning SFC. Their meal set is OP – chicken, fries, ½ salad, and soft drink for under $12. I suggest blocking out time for a post chicken set nap. 

• it’Dog and Chicken: Late night spot by the University known for blasting K-Pop music videos at all hours of the day. Their combo offers one of their over the top hotdogs with fried chicken on the side. Say less – what beats a glizzy and fried chicken? 

• CountryCoco: Located on 34th Ave along with various other Korean businesses - they boast a variety of great flavours, large portions and chicken is offered either bone-in or boneless. Creamy Onion is v good (might sound kinda strange but trust me). 

• Filistix: Fried chicken and Filipino spaghetti, name a more iconic duo!

• Northern Chicken: Once you start, you can’t stop – their hot chicken is something else, crisp coating, juicy chicken, and addicting spice.

• HI TEA & HI CHICKEN: Man do I love a deep fried chicken steak and Taiwanese popcorn chicken. HTHC is my go to for both. THEY DO A 12oz CHICKEN STEAK!!! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?!?? 

• Canteen: Chicken and waffles isn’t my thing, but Canteen’s is something different.  They do a brined and fried chicken thigh for it and it's nothing short of delicious.

• BBQ Chicken: Located inside H-MART - order chicken, peruse the aisles for snacks, ramen, desserts, and other miscellaneous items, and boom fresh fried chicken is ready! It’s probably the best fried chicken you’ll get from a grocery store*.
  
  *ed note: Ianternetmaster dropping in here to heavily endorse this statement. My go to move is buy a bowl of Jajangmyeon from the other vendor and chomp on an order of Soy Garlic chicken on the side.

• The Lingnan: Can’t even lie, that Dried Spicy Chicken pulls me in every single time at Taste of Edmonton.

• Sai Woo/Emperor’s Palace/Century Palace​: Dealers choice of any OG Chinese restaurant known for the hosting big weddings/banquets that does the deep fried chicken in the soy sauce with fried garlic, it had to be mentioned.

These aren’t the end-all be-all of chicken in the city, but they are some of my favourites.  If I missed one of your favourite spots hit me up, or leave me a suggestion in the comments of the latest uMAHmi IG post.  Most importantly, stay safe out there friends.  Hope to catch you next month for a column that’ll put you on to some places to start your day off right. 

- TM