The Origin of Hatyai Fried Chicken

   If you enjoy fried chicken, you'll often come across Hatyai fried chicken, no matter where you buy it. But why is it called Hatyai fried chicken? Isn’t fried chicken available in other provinces?

The difference lies in the use of fried onions and spices that marinate the chicken, giving it a fragrant, rich flavor. It's delicious on its own, without the need for sauce. This unique taste is what sets Hatyai fried chicken apart from others.

So, who started it?

   Over 30 years ago, Auntie Wan and Uncle Thong, a husband-and-wife duo, were selling fresh chicken at the market. Due to poor economic conditions, leftover chicken that didn’t sell was often wasted. One day, Uncle Thong started experimenting with marinating the leftover chicken, making it for themselves and sharing with others.

Then, one day, Uncle Thong's friend gave him some red onions that were about to spoil. He sliced and fried them until crispy. At first, Uncle Thong didn’t want to sell the fried onions with the chicken, but customers commented on how fragrant they were. So, he decided to sprinkle the fried onions on the chicken, and soon, everyone wanted them.

   Then, one day, Uncle Thong's friend gave him some red onions that were about to spoil. He sliced and fried them until crispy. At first, Uncle Thong didn’t want to sell the fried onions with the chicken, but customers commented on how fragrant they were. So, he decided to sprinkle the fried onions on the chicken, and soon, everyone wanted them.
    Within a month, their store was packed with customers, and they sold out quickly. The fried chicken became so popular that even newspapers started covering it. Eventually, they stopped selling fresh chicken and focused entirely on fried chicken.

To this day, Hatyai fried chicken is a staple in the region. No matter where you go in Thailand, if you want fried chicken, you’ll often see "Hatyai" as part of the name. It has become one of the OTOP (One Tambon One Product) products that has helped put Hatyai on the map.

Hatyai has many fried chicken restaurants, each with its own unique flavor. You can explore these eateries and other interesting places by using our motorbike service.

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