James Cochran

London

If I was on death row, I’d take all the menu from Around the Cluck - with chips and curry sauce, and maybe cheese. Whether it's at your local high-street chicken shop or a high-end restaurant, fried chicken has become truly universal.

Morleys have always been fiercely south east London based - but have now actually ventured on to Brick Lane and Finsbury Park. It’s a fried chicken institution and has been a big part of my life since I was introduced to it back in the early 90s visiting Brixton for the first time with my mum. Four chicken wings for a pound has always been my go to order.

To me these guys represent the new wave of how we eat chicken in London. They put a restaurant fried chicken on the map. The K-Pop is the standout burger and the Seaweed Crack Tenders are an absolute winner. The smacked cucumber is lovely, all the dips are on point. Their Suffolk-bred chicken is top quality and it’s Halal. You’re paying £20-£25 and you’re coming out well fed. The guys behind it, Carl and David, are top boys.

The Keralan fried chicken from chef Will Bowlby has to be on the list. The first time I tried it I was with friends in Soho and I rang Will, and asked if we could pop down to check it out. It was incredible. It’s that traditional Deep South style fried chicken but with added Indian spices. Mayonnaise infused with curry oil, turmeric and black mustard seeds, deep fried curry leaves, mooli. Is it a fried chicken spot, no, it’s an Indian restaurant - but the fried chicken is on levels BELIEVE.

This place is not known only for its fried chicken but I’m giving a shout out to Bao down in Borough Market. Me and some friends went there after watching the football. Taiwanese food, Asian food is one of my favourites. It’s full of spice, full of flavour. Bao is 100% on their game and their fried chicken is next level. It’s sitting in-between two pillows of aerated bao bun with this spicy mayonnaise, hot sauce, kimchi, coriander and the chicken was so juicy and nice. You can get a plate of chicken there as well. The restaurant is like an old-school restaurant you find in Chinatown in New York. It has that kind of cafe-style. We had a really good time there. They have another branch in Soho that is top too.

I got introduced to this Vietnamese restaurant when I was living up in Stoke Newington. The chicken wings with fish sauce caramel and garlic salt are outrageous and they’re an absolute bargain. They’re around six quid. It was my go-to delivery in lockdown because I was trying to eat healthy and I was always getting a pho - but as a little treat I’d get these wings. I rate them really, really highly.

After starting out small, fast forward a few years and they’ve got them all over London. They tea brine their chicken, then use buttermilk and a double coating of flour. The crack and crunch of the coating you get on their chicken is up there. There’s a reason they’re doing so well. Their menu is ever changing but go for The Cluck Bun.

I first went down to their spot on Peckham Levels when I was living in Peckham. It used to be a multi-story carpark. The council took it over as a hub to support the local community and give people with different skills or interests the tools to learn and make a success of themselves. They have a lot of workshops and classes going on, but on one level they’ve got a few takeaway joints. I saw it, my eyes lit up and I was not disappointed. They’ve got this naughty burger - it’s brown butter garlic mayonnaise, Parmesan, pickles, lettuce. They’ve got a few across London now. If I’m walking down the street and I see the sign, I go no further - I head straight to OSF. In Brixton there’s a little counter you can just sit at, in 10 or 20 minutes I’ve got my chicken fix and off I go.

Hear me out. McDonald’s Chicken nuggets were my Friday treat after school so they have to be in the mix. We’d go to the drive-through and I’d get my six chicken nuggets, and a whippy ice cream. I still devour these nuggets on the regular - with the curry sauce. Sometimes I take it home and put together two slices of bread, six nuggets, bacon, tomato and lettuce, I call it a McCBLT, you heard that here first.

The Best Fried Chicken in London with James Cochran

Michelle Li

New York City 

The best tofu in town. Growing up I used to eat sweet rice cakes every morning for breakfast, this place takes me back with their bai tang gao. It comes in different flavors but I like to stick to the classic white sugar one!

Bring a spicy friend. You choose your ingredients and they throw it in a Chinese dry pot together for you with the perfect blend of spices. The atmosphere inside is so cozy and nostalgic, as if you were in a Wong Kar Wai movie.

Lil store big bites. I love their chicken biscuit sandwich with gravy and cole slaw, if I'm feeling extra treat-y I'll grab a bag of beignets and eat them at the park on Forsyth Street.

A nice place to end a day in the Lower East Side. This cute coffee shop is the kind of place you go into for a snack but then see the table beside you eating something yummy so you end up having a whole meal."

So many good classic Szechuan plates here. Another spicy spot to bring a friend, Chinese food is for sharing so the bigger the group the better because you can try more dishes.

I used to work retail down the street in college and this was my go-to lunch spot. Their moussaka lunch special is SO special and the baklava is self-serve from tiny drawers that hold sheets of them. It's a light airy cafe that if you can snag a seat, do it and sit for a bit.

They're famous for their beef noodles but on days that I miss home I like to go in and just get a cucumber salad and lu ro fan, my comfort food.

Malaysian breakfast! I love to go and get a bunch of snacks, sweets, and cute fancy toasts.

This well-curated shop has pieces that are quirky and unique, they inspire you to want to break out of your style comfort zone and try to wear some more color or a new silhouette. It's a very persuasive store.

An LES (Lower East Side) institution at this point. A lot of NYC girls are always shopping here for their oversized wool coats, blanket scarves, and plaid blazers. There are a lot of knick knacks and familiar brands, but you'll always find some new designer from Europe in here.

My go-to for when I'm in a bind and need to pick up a cute gift for a friend. Also a great place to go if you're looking for special home goods.

The purveyors of finding great younger brands and designers. I always pop in this store when I'm looking for some inspiration for upcoming shoots, it's a great way to see what is up-and-coming in the fashion world.

NYC's Best Spots to Eat and Shop by Michelle Li

Mexico City 

During Covid-19 Seo Ju Park and Sofia Acosta, both from Mexico City, started their Kimchi project because they felt Mexico City lacked a good Kimchi and K-Food project.

Dooriban is a dark kitchen family style K-food project by Mamá Park, using Seo Ju Park's mom's recipes for the best Korean food experience.

Makan is a Singaporean bites and wine bar space owned by Singaporean-born Maryann and her Mexican partner Mario.

Founded by Thai-born Somsri Raksamran and her Mexican husband, Galanga Thai is one of the most known Thai restaurants in Mexico City.

Tachinomi Desu is one of Mexico city's coolest bars offering a large array of Sakes from Japan and some even made in Mexico. The bar is part of Edo Kobayashi's group. Edo is a Japanese-Mexican who owns several of the city's most iconic Asian spots.

Bao Bao is a Taiwanese eatery owned by Taiwanese-Panamanian Kathy Fong who opened this spot to best represent the diverse gastronomy of this tiny Asian island.

Vietnamese restaurant chain that opened in 2019 and now has three open restaurants in Mexico City and one upcoming in Cancún with Mexico's best Vietnamese food.

Go upstairs to the little steak Japanese joint they run. It’s a hidden entrance to the side of the actual restaurant and kind of an insider thing.

Asian-Owned Businesses in Mexico City

ANONIE

The silkiest noodles. Hope you have a strong grip.

Next door to Mala Project. If you are feeling cheeky get the Mala Beef Rice Noodle.

If hugs were a food, it would be pho from Hanoi House.

Get the braised meatball noodle soup. The eight spices crispy tofu is a must.

I am really bad with spicy food. But I’ll eat the rice cake hot pot from Her Name is Han through tears if I have to (I want to).

Let’s not forget about ramen. Try the thin rye noodles like Tokyo Shio."

NYC’s Best Noodle Spots with Anonie

Sister's of Sound

Los Angeles 

Peruvian ceviche and amazing roast chicken.

The best bakery in LA! The Canales and Almond Croissants are a must.

Mom and Pop breakfast spot on York. No frills, just really good hearty breakfast. 

Thousand Layer Pancake egg, cheese, basic and chilli. 

You need to try the Chicken Rice Porridge!

Yonette Alleyne of Caribbean Gourmet’s hot sauce!

Cycle there along the LA river and order the best breakfast in East LA.

Food Joints in LA with Sisters of Sound

São Paulo

Komah is my go-to Korean spot. Every dish there is amazing, but you have to try the rib rice and the kimchi dumplings – they’re something else.

Koya88 is where you wanna be if you’re looking for some fancy drinks with super intricate flavours. I’d recommend getting the edamame, the pork cheek sandwich and definitely the Miss Geisha and Wasabi Sour cocktails.

WAFU Izakaya is an awesome sushi bar! It’s got this cosy vibe, delicious drinks and special sushi made with the freshest fish you can find. I always head there for special celebrations.

Mapu Baos serves Taiwanese bites that really hit different! The place is usually packed, but it’s worth the wait. I’m obsessed with the pork belly bao and the miso eggplant bites. Their drinks are super refreshing too.

Cervejaria Central is the spot for craft beer lovers! They’re always switching up their menu with innovative and top-notch beers. You’ve gotta try the Estopim draft beer – it’s a classic. Oh, and the sausage bolovo is fire!

Kraut Bar has a special place in my heart since I worked there for years before my DJ career took off. It’s a chill bar with German-inspired sandwiches and great drinks at super good prices. Try the pumpkin schnitzel sandwich and the Gurke drink.

Preto is a high-end Nagô cuisine restaurant led by a chef from Bahia, blending Brazilian, Portuguese and African influences. It’s all about celebrating our Black culture with a fresh, decolonial twist – just like the restaurant’s name suggests.

Matiz Bar is São Paulo’s newest listening bar, with insane acoustics and amazing DJ sets – plus, a killer view of the city. I’m a big fan of their drinks too.

Mamãe Bar is the new LGBTQIAP+ spot in São Paulo. It’s super simple, but the beer is always ice cold, and the Cariri with honey shots are on point. It’s a cosy place, and if you’re out for a wild night, you’ll probably end up at Mamãe ‘cause it stays open late.

The Roda de Samba on Mondays at Funilaria are a must. It’s a classic hangout, and we always take our out-of-town friends there. If you want a cold beer and dance, some classic love songs of Pagode and Samba on a Monday, this is the spot. Nothing brings people together like a good Brazilian music!

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