Where to get your chicken fix in Kathmandu

Alisha Sijapati

Published at : January 25, 2019

Updated at : January 25, 2019 16:42

Photos by: Sanjog Manandhar

In November 2009, Colonel Sanders’ famous Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) came to Kathmandu, setting off a rage for fried chicken. For the first few weeks, people queued up in long lines to taste the famous fried chicken that is popular worldwide. Many Nepali restaurants started to follow suit, providing their own take on the perennial favourite. A host of chicken joints have now sprung up, catering to Nepali tastes on a cheaper budget. The Post recently scoured Kathmandu’s various outlets to pick five spots whose chicken—both fried and grilled—you should definitely try.

Grilled chicken

Where: Valley Xpress

Basantapur, Balaju & Maharajgunj

Price: Rs 650 for a whole chicken

Hours: 10 am to 8:30 pm

Valley Xpress has a variety of delicious chicken items on its menu, from grilled or fried to wings and popcorn. This particular fast food chain is operated by the Valley Group, which has a chicken farm and a cold store that retails different types of chicken. Valley Xpress first opened to the public in 2014 and since then has branched out to three locations-Basantapur, Balaju and Maharajgunj. At Valley Xpress, the most popular item is the full grilled chicken, which costs Rs 650. This grilled chicken is well-marinated and juicy. It is served whole but can be cut into portions depending on the customer’s demands.

Crispy crunchy fried chicken

Where: Krispy Krunchy Fried Chicken (KKFC)

People’s Plaza, Civil Mall & Maitidevi

Price: Rs 395 onwards

Hours: 10 am to 8 pm

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KKFC began operations in 2017 and has since garnered a loyal following. The spacious KKFC outlets are served by robots, an added thrill. According to the restaurant manager at KKFC, most customers prefer their signature ‘krispy krunchy fried chicken’—which the chain takes its name from. Many people flock to this restaurant for its juicy chicken, its mojito and fruity slushers. The chain also serves special meal packages for kids and families, along with a biryani rice meal. The preparation time for freshly-made crispy crunchy chicken is 10 to 15 minutes

Crunchy fried chicken

Where: Chicken Station

Jhamsikhel, Kumaripati, New Baneshwor, Thamel, Chettrapati, Naxal, Pepsicola, Chakrapath, Sitapaila, Tokha & Durbarmarg

Price: Rs 150 onwards

Hours: 10 am to 9 pm

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Although Chicken Station only opened in 2017, it has already managed to open 15 branches across the Kathmandu Valley. The chain is popular for its reasonably-priced chicken, the varieties of which look and taste similar to KFC’s. Apart from its famously large pieces of crunchy fried chicken, customers prefer its rice bowl and chizza—pizza toppings on a fried chicken base. And like KFC’s signature blend of 11 herbs and spices, Chicken Station’s breaded chicken also comes with a special secret masala. It takes 15 minutes to prepare this special crunchy fried chicken.

Fried chicken chhoila

Where: Almaya Fried House

Sundhara, Patan

Price: Rs 300 per plate

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm

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Locating Almaya can be a daunting task for anybody who doesn’t have access to Google Maps, as the restaurant is tucked away in a small corner of Patan. Setting itself apart from the many Kathmandu restaurants that have a monotonous menus, Almaya serves Newari dishes and a few kinds of innovative varieties of chicken—chicken spicy, chick-pop spicy and spicy wings. It also sells fried chicken, which is similar to the chicken from other fast food chains around the Valley. Almaya’s fried chicken chhoila, though, is a stand-out. It is first marinated, then cooked in the oven and mixed with Nepali spices. The Rs 300 chicken consists of one-and-a-half pieces of fried chicken chhoila, which is best served with some chiura, spicy mushrooms and a cold drink.

Spicy chicken wings

Where: Wings & Things

Patan Durbar Square

Price: Rs 290 onwards

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm

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Located in a prime spot on the historical Patan Durbar Square, this tiny fast food joint has gained a reputation for its spicy chicken wings. At Rs 290 for five wings and Rs 1,590 for a bucket of 30 wings, this restaurant provides a substantial amount of meat without breaking the bank. Its spicy chicken wings, marinated with special peri peri spices, are the most popular item on the menu. Apart from its wings, this restaurant is famous for its burgers and smoky bites—small potato slices baked with cheese. French fries and beverages usually go hand-in-hand with the wings too.

Alisha Sijapati
Alisha Sijapati is a journalist who specializes in telling human-interest stories, delving into history and heritage, and highlighting artistic endeavors. Her previous work experience includes contributions to Nepali Times, The Kathmandu Post, and The Himalayan Times. As of 2021, she is also a co-founder of the Nepal Heritage Recovery Campaign.