When it comes to hawker-style Fried Chicken Wings, Eng Kee is probably the most well-known. It is arguably the most popular with 9 branches across the island.
Back in 2009, when I first wrote about them, they were just a single stall in a coffee shop at Commonwealth Crescent. In 2010, the original owner, who had run the business since the 1980s wanted to retire. As such, he sold it to his neighbour, Mr. Jack Lim.
Expansion kept within the family
Since then, Mr. Lim has successfully expanded the business. The newest stall at Woodleigh Village Food Centre is managed by his grandnephew, Nicholas. I’ve previously written in detail about how Eng Kee has maintained the quality of their fried chicken across all locations. But I only just discovered another key to their success.
Unlike many hawker chains that hire employees to manage their outlets, all Eng Kee stalls are owned and operated by members of the extended family. Each family member must first undergo training at the Commonwealth Crescent stall before being entrusted with their own stall.
The secret to Eng Kee’s fried chicken wings lies in their consistency
Each wing is freshly fried to achieve a thin, crispy batter on the outside, while remaining hot and juicy on the inside. The marinade itself isn’t particularly unique. It’s a typical blend of Chinese seasonings like salt, MSG, white pepper, and Chinese wine. But the magic is in the uniform size and colour of each wing!
The process starts with the careful selection and preparation of the wings. Each one is chosen to be roughly the same size and gently massaged before being marinated overnight, allowing the flavours to fully infuse.
The following day, the wings are coated in batter and fried in traditional woks, where they are continuously moved to ensure even browning. Eng Kee also ensures that the wings are always freshly fried, so customers can enjoy a crispy, juicy bite every time. 4.25/5
Other Staples
Besides the wings, they also serve classic staples like fried bee hoon and the usual sides that accompany it.
While the other items are fairly standard, the bee hoon does have a nice chewy, moist texture. It isn’t all that flavourful but but pairs perfectly with their house-made chili sauce and chicken wings.
The chili sauce, freshly made at the stall, is one of the keys to the whole fried chicken wing experience.
Conclusion
This is a great spot to indulge in fresh, crispy, and juicy chicken wings. While the flavour may not be mind-blowing, there’s something undeniably comforting about sinking your teeth into a freshly fried, perfectly seasoned wing.
The experience is enhanced by their signature sweet and spicy chili sauce. It’s simple, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need—delicious comfort food done right.
