It’s been more than a decade since Taufik Batisah rose to fame as the season one winner of Singapore Idol in 2004, but he’s since kept busy with music, acting, and now, fried chicken. Chix Hot Chicken, an American-style fried bird joint at Jalan Pisang, is co-owned by the 36-year-old and his business partner, who comes from a nightlife and F&B background.
So what sets it apart from the many, many fried chicken places in town? Apparently, its Nashville Hot Chicken “Extra Hotness” spice rub contains ghost peppers which, if you haven’t heard, are one of the hottest chili peppers in the world. Otherwise known as the bhut jolokia, it rates at over 1 million Scoville heat units, and has triggered many a tear-filled YouTube eating challenge video (see here and here).
In case that doesn’t fluster you, the Muslim-owned eatery’s “Insane Hotness” seasoning uses the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper — which, though not as infamous as the ghost pepper, comes in at more than 2 million Scoville heat units. So, still sounds like something spawned straight from the fiery depths of hell.
Anyway, all that to say, Chix Hot Chicken sure knows the ingredients needed to spice up your life (or clear your sinuses), and it’s not afraid to use ’em liberally, since the meat gets marinated for 24 hours to make sure no chunk commits the crime of being bland.
If you’d like to numb your taste buds for an afternoon, try a fried chicken order of quarter ($9.90), half ($18.90), or wings ($10.90) with your desired spice level. Then douse the heat, or at least attempt to, with an extra creamy vanilla milkshake ($5.90).
As for the rest of us spice wimps, the New Orleans-inspired buttermilk fried chicken ($9.90-$18.90) is loads milder on the palate. Alternatively, there are also boneless chicken soul sliders with pickles and pink mayo ($12.90/two), or chicken and waffles with honey butter ($14.90, only on Sundays), plus sides ($2.90 each) such as fries, slaw, or baked beans.
FIND IT:
Chix Hot Chicken is at 1 Jalan Pisang.
Tues-Sat noon-3pm, 5pm-9pm.
MRT: Bugis
