There's a hot new star in town
Taiwanese Hot Star chicken and squid draw the Bangkok crowds, just as they've already done across Asia and in Australia
THE LATEST sizzle on Bangkok tongues is Taiwanese fried chicken in generous servings that has long queues forming in front of Thailand’s first Hot Star outlet, in the new EmQuartier mall. Early assessments insist it’s a must-try.
Originating in expat-friendly Shilin, home to Taipei’s most popular night market, the spicy chicken has already won multitudes of fans at 117 franchises sprinkled across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia.
Thai franchisee Barbecue Plaza spent Bt60 million for the chance to share the goodies here.
“We aim to add new food brands to our business portfolio,” says Hot Star brand manager Chanin Choopojcharoen, who’s also assistant managing director of Barbecue Plaza. “We’re interested in the food innovations of Taiwan – they develop their traditional dishes and desserts with new ingredients and fresh presentations. And we were looking for energy-boosting snacks that fit the younger generation’s fast-paced lifestyle.”
Authenticity is guaranteed by importing all the ingredients – even the batter flour – from Taiwan and putting the local cooks through 400 hours of training in Taipei.
The menu is short with just eight dishes on offer, but that only helps you get straight to the point: Will it be fried chicken or squid with a soft drink, priced at Bt49 to Bt139?
Given pride of place on the menu is Hot Star Chicken XXL (Bt139), a breast that’s filleted, marinated in an aromatic sauce from a recipe that’s bound to remain secret, coated with flour and deep-fried for seven minutes. The result is a crunchy golden-brown texture on the outside and divine tenderness on the inside.
Hot Star Chicken Bites (Bt69) are nuggets cut from the thigh, available in the same two flavours as the XXL – original and spicy, the latter mixing in Chinese herbs.
Other popular orders include QQ Squid (Bt79) served in three flavours – original, spicy and Shilin-style salt and chilli.
If your palate’s feeling a little oily, order a cold drink, like Hot Star Lemonade (Bt49), which blends several citrus fruits, or the Winter Melon Drink (Bt59) served with brown-sugar jelly.
“We’re opening a new branch – a complete cafe – at the Esplanade in June,” says Chanin. “It will have more than 20 great Taiwanese snacks and drinks. Overall we plan to have 35 outlets open within the next five years.”
THE PRIDE OF SHILIN
>>Hot Star is on B Floor at the EmQuartier and open daily from 10 to 10.
>>Find out more from the “HotStarThailand” |page on Facebook.
