TKK Fried Chicken

DC is a city full of good chicken, but we’re never going to turn down the chance to add a new spot to the roster. And TKK Fried Chicken is one of the few places where we can get multiple styles of chicken, each as good as the last.

The fast-casual Taiwanese spot is one of a handful of stalls in Chinatown’s Luna Hall. During the week, you’ll often see men in suits chat over a shared bucket of drumsticks, thighs, and wings at cafeteria-style tables, as college students type out term papers in lounge seats comfortable enough to nap in.

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

While there’s a right place to sit (the lounge seats), there are no wrong menu choices here. The chicken comes in three styles: mixed bucket, sandwich, or tender (our personal favorite). Some mild, some spicy. And so juicy that you’ll skip right past offering the last piece to your partner and snag it for yourself. Hey, it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission. 

If you’re taking your food to go, you’ll still want to have a seat. You could even grab a couple of drinks at the food hall’s bar while you wait, and you’ll still have time to spare. They lean a little more heavily on the casual than the fast. But the food comes out burn-the-roof-of-your-mouth hot, and will still be warm after a 20 minute commute, so no worries if you’re taking it home for the fam.

TKK Fried Chicken is a chicken spot to have in your DC rotation, knowing that no matter what kind of chicken you’re in the mood for, they make it with Popeyes-level consistency.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Famous Fried Chicken

The grease glistens on these lightly breaded pieces of chicken the moment you open the box. You can get them original, crispy mild, or crispy spicy, and there are no misses—though we wouldn’t mind a bit more kick on the spicy pieces.

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Crispy Chicken Sandwich

You’ve gotta be bold to serve a plain chicken sandwich, with no sauces or vegetables, and think people will love it. TKK Fried Chicken mastered that with this sandwich. But order it deluxe with a side of honey mustard to be safe.

Crunchy Tenders

The tenders come in three and five packs, and are best eaten by ripping them into pieces. Mostly to make sure you don’t bite into a steaming hot tender and have to hasashafasa until you can chew again. Plus it’s fun to see how juicy the meat is when you tear them apart.

Curly Fries

What chicken combo is complete without fries? These are curly, crunchy, and seasoned, and piled high in your to-go box.

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Charred Corn

Blackened, buttered, and salted, this cup of kernels is a great pairing with any of the chicken choices.