CrispyQ: Southside’s unassuming star of Korean fried chicken

A small Southside spot turning out seriously good Korean fried chicken, handmade kimchi and generous, comforting bowls — CrispyQ is the kind of unassuming place you walk past once, then never again.

Wandering down Nicolson Street early one Saturday evening (moderately busy given it was the weekend before payday), CrispyQ Asian Kitchen is inconspicuous among the surrounding supermarkets and barbers. A red neon sign promises Korean fried chicken, diners sit in the window chatting, “nice to meet you” wording is visible along the back wall.

Can I let you in on a secret? Stop. Go in.

The vibe of this small, family business is casual – a handful of tables at best – but, even at 5:45pm, it’s already busy, a good sign. Three Asian lads find a spot opposite us, couples order curry and Aloe Breeze, and there’s a steady stream of takeaways handed out in brown paper bags.

The waitress passes my fiancé Andrew and I menus, pointing to the Korean fried chicken to start: in particular the Yangnyeom (sweet and spicy) bites and fiery mala wings. CrispyQ has become known for exactly this – its Korean-style chicken, double-fried and coated in either a glaze or spice. The outside is properly crispy – not thick or bready – while the meat inside is juicy. The spice is a slow-burner, the flavour piquant. It’s all freshly prepared, the meat 100% Halal and (as wings can be) slightly messy to eat – but, as we tell the chef when he comes to check on us, utterly delicious.

The rest of the menu is Asian comfort food: Japanese curries, chicken burgers and udon bowls. Today’s special – handwritten on a white board – is a spicy tofu hot pot with handmade kimchi (Andrew’s choice and he’s still raving about said kimchi). My original thought, looking at the menu pre-visit, was to combine a few sides and starters, such as edamame beans, steamed rice and miso soup, to try a few different things. Now we’re here, however, I realise I have to choose something chicken-related and so a chicken katsu udon bowl it is. 

The waitress offers a fork for the noodles but to me, it always tastes better with chopsticks (it was a sheer miracle I didn’t drop any of it!). Arriving quickly and steaming hot, the noodles were well done, the taste flavoursome.

We were both too full for dessert – a sign of a generous meal – and considering it was really filling up now, we decided not to linger so someone else could take our place. Walking out into the night, this Southside spot is somewhere we both agreed we’d love to visit again – a new favourite.

Related: discover more Asian restaurants

CrispyQ 75 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9BZ

0131 563 8256

Opening hours

Open seven days a week – opening times vary