“I think the best birthday gift anyone could ever give you is a year’s free supply of fried chicken.”

A good friend of mine once jokingly said that to me, fully knowing who he was talking to. Back then, when I said I liked fried chicken, I didn’t mean the normal, “every-now-and-then” kind of like…

I meant the borderline-obsessive kind.

Fast forward to today: the obsession has calmed down a little—mostly because I’ve accepted the fact that I’m getting older and my health has now become a priority. I limit my fast-food intake… but “limit” doesn’t mean “never.” When the craving hits, I will go on a quest.

Recently, my partner mentioned a place called Hot Bird. I had never heard of it, but apparently, it’s a pretty popular fried chicken spot in Kuala Lumpur. They just opened their outlet at IOI City Mall, with a 10% opening discount. So obviously my first thought was:

“Ohhhhhh… We’re going!”

---

✅ What is Hot Bird?

Hot Bird is a popular fast-food restaurant in Malaysia specializing in Nashville-style spicy fried chicken. They’re famous for their 6 heat levels (from No Heat to “Call The Ambulance!”), along with burgers, tenders, and comfort sides like mac & cheese.

The brand was founded by Malaysian husband-and-wife duo, Kelvin and Ee Wen. During the COVID lockdown, they found themselves on a mission to hunt down the perfect spicy fried chicken—but nothing quite hit the spot. So they started experimenting at home, and it quickly turned into a full-on obsession until they finally created a version that satisfied their own high standards.

By April 2022, they opened their first outlet in Damansara Uptown, and Hot Bird officially took flight.

---

✅ What’s On The Menu

Hot Bird keeps things simple but dangerously tempting. Their menu focuses on the essentials: Fried chicken, Jumbo tenders, and their signature Hot Bird burgers. Each one comes with its own kick, depending on the heat level you choose.

And then… the sides. I didn’t try them… yet, but from what I’ve seen, everything from the buffalo wings to the mac & cheese is crafted to complement the spicy chicken perfectly. I’ll definitely try them on my next visit. 

If you’re coming in a group, Hot Bird also offers Group Sets for different sizes—2–3 pax, 3–4 pax, and even 5–7 pax. During our visit, my partner and I went for the Peck Group Set (2–3 pax). It came with 5 pieces of fried chicken, 1 signature coleslaw, 1 Cajun fries, and 2 drinks. We also added an extra Cool Ranch sauce because… why not? More sauce, more happiness.

---

✅ My Take On Hot Bird

Okay… where do I even begin?

The moment the food hit the table, it looked like your typical fast-food spread… fried chicken with sides. However, the fries immediately stole the spotlight. They were longer than your usual fast-food fries, and when I took a bite… my eyes practically popped out. Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and you could literally hear the crunch as you bit in. It was soooooo good that it snatched the crown from every fries I’ve loved before.

Then came the fried chicken. We went for Hot and Super Hot for the heat levels because, let’s be real… most “hot” fried chicken I’ve had before barely impresses me. After trying both levels at Hot Bird, I can safely say: Super Hot is now my new standard for heat. I could definitely go higher from there.

The chicken had the perfect punch; crispy skin, full of flavor, and every bite was juicy… Not dry at all! Honestly, the taste of Hot Bird blew me away. I even asked my partner,

“Did they coat this chicken in Quaker oats or something?” 

The texture almost looked just like it, and I couldn’t stop admiring all the little crunchy details on the chicken. A final dusting of chili-spice powder kicked it up a notch. Every bite was satisfyingly crunchy and insanely flavorful.

The coleslaw was fine (I’m not a huge fan, so I can’t give it much praise), but the Cool Ranch sauce? I’m obsessed. It paired perfectly with the chicken—creamy, tangy, and just enough to make every bite better.

In short, Hot Bird is a step above any other fast-food chain I’ve tried.

Quality? Excellent.

Taste? Absolutely 10 out of 10. 

---

✅ The Staff And The Vibes

The vibes here are very chill, inviting, and friendly.

One thing I have to praise about Hot Bird is how efficient and organized the restaurant is. It’s always busy, with people waiting in line, but the system keeps everything running smoothly.

When you arrive, you order at the self-order screen and take a receipt with your order number. While you’re ordering, the staff will find a table for you and let you know where to sit. If no tables are free yet, they’ll check around for an available spot. I even noticed them politely approaching tables where people had finished eating and were just chatting, asking if they could free up the table for the next customer.

I really appreciated that—it keeps the flow fast and organized.

When your number shows on the screen, you pick up your order at the counter. They also provide plastic gloves so you can dig into your chicken without getting messy. If you have leftovers to take home, boxes and plastic bags are already available at the counter, so you don’t even have to ask. Super convenient.

---

✅ Where Is It Located?

Hot Bird Malaysia’s very first outlet is in Damansara Uptown (PJ). Since then, they’ve been spreading their wings everywhere. You can now find them in:

• Damansara Uptown: 83 Ground Floor, Jalan SS 21/1a, Damansara Utama.
• The Exchange TRX: Unit No. GS.07.0, Ground Level.
• Subang Jaya: 25, Jalan SS 15/4, SS 15. 
• Puchong: 18, Jalan Puteri 2/3, Bandar Puteri.
• IOI City Mall, Putrajaya: LG-226, Lower Ground Floor. ]

---

✅ Will I Come Again?

Hot Bird is officially my favorite fried chicken spot, and yes… I’ll be coming back again and again.

I highly recommend it to everyone.

Sure, the price is a bit higher than typical fast-food chains like KFC or McDonald’s, but honestly, the quality and flavor are worth every penny. You won’t regret going. I really hope they remain committed to maintaining this high standard and continue delivering that perfect fried chicken experience.

I’m also hoping to see more outlets popping up across Malaysia—maybe even overseas. Hot Bird is definitely one Malaysian brand I highly praise, and for good reason.

And if you’re wondering if it is Halal, YES. It is now officially certified Halal by JAKIM

—Auri Duham 🌸

 

• 
• 
• 
• 
•