One of the best blessings in life is to be able to have Fried Chicken as a celebration on the last day of the 2025 year.
So some of us might find it commonplace, like what's the big deal when there're plenty of fast food joints that specialize in fried chicken, and you can get a deep fried spring chicken in nearly every hawker center and coffee shop and every Old Chang Kee all around the island.
But fried chicken is one of those foods that you don't think you want to have until you really crave for it, or until you actually sit down at the table with the chicken steaming right in front of you and you realize you wanted it all along.
I hadn't thought I missed eating Fried Chicken.
I mean, it wasn't a craving stuck consistently in the head.
Even if I might have made a comment here and there.
But, yes, a blessing, overall.
We had made a deliberate trip down here to Funan for the sake of these buffalo wings. Why it is that we came specifically down to this outlet, I don't know, especially since there are outlets at Bedok Mall, City Square Mall, even Singpost, the Cathay and Clementi Mall, but hey, last day of the year and all.
Now, for us who don't know Wingstop, well, it is- in short, an American fast food chain that specializes in one thing, and one thing only- Buffalo Wings. How they manage to stretch what is- really- a wing of a chicken- is amazing, but they manage to do it, and now, after having their food off their menu, I finally understand why.
The highlight of their menu has to be their flavors.
That doesn't mean that they don't have food to offer.
They do- in the manner of Classic Wings, Boneless Wings, Tenders, and Sides. There is not much to be said about the wings and the tenders. As in, I don't quite know how to describe it, but they do have sides that are worth a look and a try.
Perhaps one day I might try their in-house Coleslaw or their Louisiana Voodoo Fries with cheese sauce, ranch and cajun seasoning or even their Mushroom Fritters (which today I had wanted to try but somehow didn't get to).
But this afternoon we were very much impressed by their Seasoned Fries.
At first glance they seemed ordinary, no different from any other fries you got at other fast food joints. The difference however was that here they were served hot, crisp and so balanced with their seasoning that not a single fry was left tasteless or overly salty.
But it were the wings that made this meal memorable.
We'd taken the boneless.
With flavors of Hot Honey Rub and Garlic Parmesan.
I was a little surprised.
I had expected my friend to order our wings in the flavors of Texas Buffalo, Louisiana Rub or Hickory Smoked BBQ. These are, after all, flavors that he fancies, where the Texas Buffalo has cayenne pepper and vinegar, the Louisiana Rub has Cajun, and the BBQ is, well, BBQ.
I too had thought he would have the Lemon Pepper, which, zesty and peppery at the same time, is interesting a combination seldom seen in chicken seasonings.
But I wasn't complaining.
I mean, he could have chosen the spicier flavors of Inferno or Kicap Manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce with chili flakes). He could also have gone Teriyaki
The Hot Honey Rub was pleasantly more sweet than spicy (it reminded me of Korea's gochujang) and the Garlic Parmesan was garlicky buttery- a favorite combination of mine.
So thankful am I for this meal that gave me uber strong Korean restaurant fried chicken vibes.
Let's just say it was a very pleasant, and fun, surprise.
Perhaps the next time I come to WingStop I'll make it a combo with 6 pieces, 1 side, and 1 drink.
Just for me.
After all, as fried chicken tastes great with beer, it goes just as great with Coke (or Sprite) too.