This post contains a ton of hot chicks, Belle’s hot chicks to be more accurate. That’s right, a Melbourne institution has landed in Sydney for a 9 month run at Barangaroo precinct. Belle’s Hot Chickens join the roti canai kings of Mamak at Wulugul Pop Up. There’s also coffee by Edition Coffee roasters and gin by The Barber Shop.
Wulugul Walk is Sydney’s newest harbourfront promenade and for all of you familiar with King Street wharf, it’s an extension of the promenade. The pop-up section is a vibrant area, with pastel colours, a mixed dining area with tables and areas where you can stand around and pick at your food. We arrive at 5pm and there’s a mix of business types unwinding after a week of work, tourists and parents with kids.
All the buzz is for Belle’s, yet with even with a long line, it’s not a long wait. The Sydney pop-up mostly about chicken. The only deviation is Fried Oysters snack and Fried mushrooms. I am not sure what it is about F word and chicken but that’s two eateries that use to describe how great the chicken is or how it is. Reuben Hills is a culprit too! The hotness scale of the chicken goes from mild southern to Really F**kin hot. For you the reader, I take the hit and off course order the Really F**kin Hot drumsticks. You have the choice of wings and tenders as well.
Each of the dishes are cooked to order, so we have time for the setting sun to get on our backs and try the beverages. There’s alcoholic options at the pop up but not at Belle’s but we sample the lemonade and ice tea. The lemonade is refreshing, slightly sweet and has a surprising spicy kick from the cardamon infusion. It’s a very complementary flavour and the tames the the zing of the lemon.
Having tried ice tea a few times in North Carolina, the ice tea served at Belle’s Hot Chicken has striking resemblance. It is sweet with berry flavours, and is a perfect partner to the chicken, just don’t drink it all before the food arrives.
The main event is the chicken. Served in vibrant red baskets which match the colour of my chicken, it is a sure sign of things to come! I don’t even need to taste the chicken to know how hot it is, just the coating lacing my lips sets off the alarm. It is hot! The skin is beautifully crunchy, yet the flesh is supremely tender! How do they do that? The chicken is full of flavour, the coating on the other hand is burning a hole through me. It’s about as hot a dish I have had in a long time and if you’re a chilli fan then head straight for Really Fu**in Hot but I think you could dial back the heat index a couple notches and still enjoy some of the best chicken in the city. For each chicken order, you can choose a side. I chose the pickles and they do a great job washing away some of the heat. I love the vibrant yellow cauliflower, actually the medley of the vegetables are perfect in the salty, vinegarish brine.
The chicken tenders may not match the red colour of the baskets, but are easy enough to nibble through. They are crispy and the glaze is full of flavour. The spice is very mild, an even my 6 year old who despises chilli has no issue gobbling them up. The Old Bay crinkled cut chips are perfect! Each chip is supremely crisp, and with a little heat coming from the seasoning, they are the perfect carbo partner to your protein main. Just remember soul food like fried chicken and chips was considered celebration food back in the day so you don’t need to celebrate everyday!!
As long as the sun is out, odds that are Wulugul Walk and the pop-up will quick zoom up the list of destinations to hang out at. You have until September, 2016 to check Belle’s Hot Chicken. I am pretty certain though, that it won’t be long before Sydney has a permanent home for this Melbourne chicken diner sensation!
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