Barry T.

It's here at last! Step Aside KFC you've been dethroned! My favorite Taiwan night market snack - 雞排 or Taiwanese fried chicken has landing in Sydney. Been hanging out for the store for a while as Sydney has been needing a decent Taiwan fried chicken store for a while. Pricing is good too in line with Australian costs - $7.90 gets you a pretty decent serving (and there's also a free drink promo going as of this writing). Much cheaper than getting an airfare to Taiwan ;) Takeaway only but you can just go to Hyde park, World Square, go home/office, or walk around and eat it. Location wise is really good, within a few steps of George st, not far from town hall station. Taste wise as Howard C. pointed out is also on par with the Taiwan night markets. I'm sure I'll make this place one of my regular places :D

Howard C.

It's finally here!!! I've been waiting for Hot Star to open up here since they opened up in Melbourne in November last year...and the day has finally come. I was first in line with some friends (woohoo!) and we got the regular for $7.90 plus a free drink. It takes a few minutes to cook but you get it hot and piping fresh. I was in Taiwan about a month ago and had the original and I have to say that this is pretty spot on compared to the original. Get ready for a giant piece of fried chicken as big as your head for cheap!!!! It will make great drunk food, hangover food, hangry food, and nom nom nom food. Just beware of the bones towards the bottom.

Amy S.

After seeing many reviews about this place, It was time I tried it for myself! When we arrived which was just before there was not much of a queue so between ordering and waiting took around 7 minutes. Not bad! Its a small shop front where you order your lovely chicken with the various range of spices as below: Little Spicy Medium Spicy Spicy or Extra Spicy I got the Hungry combo and opted for the little spicy because that's all i could handle. Once you pay you get a receipt with your number and a small plastic bag. Once you receive your chicken you will understand why the plastic bag is needed :P The chicken breast is massive! As seen in the picture it was twice the size of my hand. This is so boss! I also got the sweet potato fries which tasted really sweet, almost like they had sprinkled chocolate on it? How, Why? I don't know, this is definitely one to consult the 8 ball! Delicious, easy, quick, (maybe not so healthy) dinner all for the bargain price of $10.90

Ingrid H.

Chickuuun. I don't know where they get these Breasts from but it must be the Playboy mansion cos they are massive. $7.90 gets you a crispy flavourful Large schnitzel type chicken breast in a paper bag. As others have said, you can spice that bag of fun up to your liking. I enjoyed the flavor and it is indeed a mouthful of surprise. I did find I got a bit sick of eating it after about 2/3 of the way through it though. This may possibly have been avoided by getting the other sides to change it up. The wait was redonk. 20 mins. The crowd was enormous causing a blockage in the footpath. When I enquired where the heck I was in the order queue I was told -Oh you still have to wait a long time. But he was very sincerely polite about it. In the end I made everyone cheer when I finally got it. Make time for this because you'll only get the peeves if you have to be somewhere any time soon. I think they actually cook everyone's chicken to order individually. Strange way to do it but I guess that's why it tastes as addictive as crack.

Dan P.

Oh Barry. Sweet unassuming Barry. I check-in everywhere Barry... Well guess what... Barry just got hot? How hot? Barry went super sayen supernova hot star hot! Winner winner chicken dinner! I want to dunk Barry in the deep fryer, douse him in spicy spices and tear tender strips of goodness from his bones in homage to his holiness for even mentioning this place. Barry you are a genius! Without your review I would never have heard of this place nor wanted to come - but I just had to see what possible magic tricks could sway a KFC addict. Hot star is the ultimate fried chicken experience. That's a scientific fact. The wait is long but that is part of the entire experience. During the wait some Korean lady, perplexed by her own apoplexy, approached us, the only 2 non-asians in the line, and asked what was so good about fried chicken.... "Uhh we dunno lady but we's about to find out" Im actually sitting on the train right now dreaming of another delicious deep fried slice of hot star heaven. Im drooling. Get me a bib! The spice built to a chili crescendo each mouthful building upon the last. The chicken was tender, the skin crispy, the spices flavourful. Of the 4 options: - Little Spicy - Medium Spicy - Spicy Spicy - Hot Spicy I opted for Spicy Spicy, and it proved to be correct, for whilst I absolutely could've gone hotter, holding back on the maximum spice level allowed me to appreciate the taste of the chicken which itself is superb. Then there were the mushrooms... Oh em gee! Deep fried golden balls made in heaven and hand delivered on a silver platter by winged angels. I will be back for the chicken but the mushrooms were totally the hot star!

Miriam C.

PSA to Sydney's vegetarians - don't let the words "large fried chicken" deter you, get yourselves to Hot Star, stat! That's right, this may be a chicken shop but take heart, 60% of the menu is vegetarian!! More if you include the drinks!!! Ok so it's not the hardest feat if the menu is only 5 items long, but it's one glorious, deep fried menu! You haven't lived til you've had the mushrooms here - succulent King Browns (they're called King for a reason) covered in a slightly spicy, fried to perfection batter, just thin enough to give you that earth shattering crunch without making you feel gross and greasy afterwards. The sweet potato chips are also a revelation, so often poorly executed and soggy in other institutions, but really nothing beats the mushrooms. My very scientific study with a sample size of three confirms that the fried mushrooms are the preferred menu item of fried chicken connoiseurs over and above the bigger than your face chicken here. Oh and the mushrooms!! Did I mention the mushrooms?? Get the mushrooms.

Khoi P.

A review is long overdue considering I've been a regular here since this little hole in the wall opened up opposite World Square earlier this year. I'm still not certain how they do it, but how is possible to stretch a chicken breast that long ?? All I know is that it is freshly fried real chicken goodness, a ridiculously tasty snack during the day or late at night after a few drinks. You can make a complete meal out of it with some chips or even fried mushrooms. There are a few spiciness levels to choose from but I recommend that you don't overdo it so that you can enjoy the other subtle flavours. At $7.90, it's an expensive piece of chicken but worth every cent ! On a side note, it is a franchise - originally from Taiwan but I was able to try Hot Star over in Singapore earlier this year and it is the same familiar taste so it's a consistent offering and I hope more outlets open in the near future here in Australia.

Marcus C.

BEST CHICKEN I'VE EVER HAD! I read a review about this place a few months ago and had it parked in my memory for when I was in the area. Finally tried it last night and it was everything I have ever wanted in chicken, deep fried things, take away and pretty much food in general. It's huge- the size of your forearm or head. It's juicy- succulent and hot and everything u want in chicken. It's crunchy- the schnitty coating is just right. It's spiced- went for the original- the delicate array of spices was the perfect addition. Want to try the hot spices next It's everything- honestly the best thing I've eaten in about a month. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Also got the kumara chips were just as good. Being from nz I've had my share of deep fried sweet potato and this is top 5. You won't regret trying this - the guy who invented this should be knighted.

Tamer M.

Massive chicken schnitzel with bone in it - and you can add chili powder. Yep that's what you are getting here. For $7.50 you are going to get the largest piece of chicken that you have ever seen! They literally put in a plastic bag for you. And you get to pick different powders to put on it. I have only tried the chili - make sure you don't inhale it. Because it burns the lungs. There is also seafood flavor - never tried it, but tempted next time to see what seafood chicken would taste like. There is no sitting here - but trust me that's not the reason that you come.

Luke C.

ORIGINAL FRIED CHICKEN This one huge piece of chicken more than enough for two people. So very moist and tender inside, the batter on the other hand was not sticking to the meat making and it was very unpleasant to eat towards the middle. It was like having my chicken in two packets within each other (like a Russian doll situation) - one make of batter and one made of paper. CURLY FRIES These are pretty good, fried nicely. As it's only a take-away stall, the closest option is to cross the road to a World Square bench to eat. Packaging needs to be upgraded too. Those thin paper packets do not cut it, the oiliness just gets absorbed and into to your hands. They need to use a foil alternative, glossy cardboard or wax paper. Conclusion Decent fried chicken but with so many alternative fast food joints that provide seating and more variety, I do not think I will be revisiting. I get it though, if it's something similar from your hometown (Taiwan/Asia) it would appeal to you but overall it's more of a novelty thing you try once for new customers. The unusual size of the chicken is perfect for a selfie and social experience on the streets but I still prefer KFC to this. @thesydneynoob

Urvashi A.

The chicken was bigger than the size of my brother's face. And straight up, my brother's face is not small. The serving sizes are just THAT generous! A delightful crumb, according to him, and the chicken was tender and perfectly cooked! Also, he ordered hot. Hot, at Hot Star, means stars in your eyes, sweat down your back hot. But damn tastier because of it. I got to hear about it (and smell it too... :P) For me, the winner of Hot Star's Menu is: Curly fries. Dripping in a spicy mayonnaise, I get off my bus at George St, just to get them, before catching another bus home. They are crunchy, curly and just thinking about them right now has me absolutely dying for some potato goodness. Fantastic, small and cute, this is a great takeaway restaurant!

Michelle W.

The hugeness of the chicken piece was very exciting at first and it tasted pretty good, but after a while it just got too much and the batter was a bit sickening. Will probably stick to KFC in the future.

Elaine L.

As a proud Taiwanese, I am too familiar with the Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken. I had been waiting for it to come to Sydney ever since it first opened shop in Melbourne in 2013. When it finally came in early 2014, the usual greetings in our Taiwanese circle was immediately replaced by "Did you see/Have you tried/Did you like Hot-Star?" Must try: original hot-star large fried chicken! My friends love their fried oyster mushrooms too.