Five of a kind: Fried chicken

Belle's Diner

Smart Belle's Diner takes American comfort food and gives it a makeover with wagyu burgers, super-thin fries and a classic Southern fried chicken - chunks of boneless chicken with a crunchy, spicy coating, barbecue sauce, and a red cabbage and beetroot salad to cut the fry factor. It's big flavours matched with clever cooking and loads of style.

Details: Southern fried chicken, $17 at Belle's Diner, 150 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, 9077 0788.

Mr Miyagi

The Japanese are experts at frying, and this take on classic kara-age by new kid on the block Mr Miyagi is worth the wait. Served on Japanese newsprint in a cardboard box with a sweetcorn mayo on the side, the Miyagi fried chicken drumsticks are cooked to juicy, crisp perfection with a crunchy coating that will have you gnawing on the bone. A surprisingly good foil to the delicate flavours of sashimi and sushi. Who knew?

Details: Miyagi fried chicken, $10/$16 at Mr Miyagi, 99 Chapel Street, Windsor, 9529 5999.

Gami Chicken and Beer

''This is midnight food,'' says the waiter at Gami, for those late nights when your craving for something salty, oily and spicy must be indulged. Gami's chicken hits the spot. Fried to order, it arrives in a basket with pickled radish, coleslaw, two dipping sauces and prawn crackers on the side. The chicken pieces crack and crunch like a shotgun at every bite. ''Korean KFC,'' nods our waiter, ''but much better,''

Details: Fried chicken is $29 (serves 2-3) at Gami Chicken and Beer, 100 Little Lonsdale Street, 9671 3232. (Also at 535 Little Lonsdale Street and 26 King Street.)

Hot Star

A tiny shopfront, a couple of huge fryers and a menu offering chicken two ways - a breast on the bone flattened to wafer-thinness or mouth-sized chicken bites. Both are coated and fried then sprinkled with chilli powder, seaweed, salt and pepper or plum seasonings, Taiwanese-style. Hot Star nails it with tender chicken encased in a crunchy crust that doesn't go limp or soggy as it cools. Prepare to queue, as Melbourne knows good fried chicken when it tastes it.

Details: Large fried chicken $8 at Hot Star, 233 Swanston Street, city.

Rockwell and Sons

Rockwell and Sons' take on Southern fried chicken comes in a soft burger bun. It's juicy, if a little greasy, but smothered in buttermilk dressing with the crunch of iceberg and a hot-sauce kick, it sure fits the bill if you need a hangover cure. Team it with some french fries and a bloody mary, and last night will be forgotten.

Details: Fried chicken sandwich, $12 at Rockwell and Sons, 288 Smith Street, Collingwood, 8415 0700.