SUBANG JAYA, Aug 19 — Fried chicken shops rule the roost at every corner of this city as chicken is the preferred protein for many. 

Who can blame the diners? It’s comfort food at its best — crunch paired with juicy pull-apart meat — that feeds the whole nation regardless of wallet size.  

So what happens when fried chicken gets a Hat Yai glow-up? 

There’s a lighter batter and a spice marinade that makes it the star performer in Bangkok’s Haroy which is open right smack in Subang Jaya SS15’s college-land, where F&B concepts open and shut like a yo-yo in a bitcoin market.

It’s definitely not your usual fried chicken as it goes beyond golden, crunchy skin but wait... where are the fries, mashed potatoes or coleslaw?

Keep calm and chill; Thais eat their beloved Hat Yai fried chicken with sticky rice (khao niao), dunked in chili sauce and coated with fried shallots. 

It’s an explosion of juicy meat and a sweet, spicy chili sauce that adds a level of zing, coupled with soft sticky rice and the crunch from fried shallots.

That new taste experience will definitely lure those jaded with just fried chicken. 

If you do insist on French fries, don’t fret; they are on the menu but are an “add on” — edged out by the alluring sticky rice. 

For those who avoid sticky rice due to digestion issues, steamed jasmine rice (khao suay) or biryani rice (khao mok) are also available for an additional RM1. 

A one-piece chicken combo is RM16.90 while the 2-piece chicken combo is RM21.90. Both combos include fried shallots, a choice of sticky rice or steamed jasmine rice, Haroy sauce (original or spicy) and a drink (soda or mineral water).

Thai Milk Tea (cha chak) can be added on for RM4.50; it also cools down your tongue if you were too enthusiastic about the chili sauce. 

Their wraps, which come with four different sauces, are exceptional. 

Haroy’s version uses flattened sticky rice, not conventional flatbread, filled with chunks of chicken and slathered with your choice of sauce (original Haroy sauce, nam tok for a zesty flavour, nam prik num with green chilies, and pad kra pao (Thai basil). 

And just before wrapping the sticky rice roll, a handful of fried shallots is added for more flavour. 

You can pair the wraps with fried chicken or French fries in their combo sets, which come in two sizes: small and medium. 

The small fried chicken combo is RM22.90, and the medium fried chicken combo is RM24.50.

Som Tam (RM5.90) is their side-kick for the fried chicken, offering the refreshing crunch of shredded green papaya mixed with cherry tomatoes, peanuts and the som tam sauce that provides a gentler heat. 

While the set-up is casual fast food, the prices aren’t very pocket-friendly — making it a hurdle that may be difficult to overcome once curiosity wears off. 

On ground, there’s top-notch service once you get your food, as there are people to assist you in understanding how to eat the fried chicken the proper Thai way. 

This isn’t the first time Hat Yai fried chicken has appeared here; a local brand, Ayee Southern Fried Thai Chicken (STFC), whose founder is from Padang Besar, started the chicken trail with outlets in Penang, Central I-City, Citta Mall and most recently in PJ’s Starling Mall. 

555 Thainanese Chicken, a popular chicken rice place in Sri Hartamas, also offers Hat Yai fried chicken alongside their poached Hainanese chicken which is served with fragrant rice.

Haroy

72, Jalan SS15/4b, 

SS15, Subang Jaya.

Open daily: 10am to 10pm. 

Instagram: @haroy.my

* This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal.

* Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.