Vietnamese-style fried chicken wings — marinated in fish sauce and garlic, coated in a light cornstarch crust, and often served with a sweet chili or lime pepper dipping sauce — have found enthusiastic fans across Buford Highway. Several restaurants here specialize in this preparation, which differs from Southern fried chicken in its lighter batter, fish sauce umami, and the way it pairs with nuoc cham.
Quoc Huong top-pick
Quoc Huong delivers some of the most ordered wings on the entire Buford Highway strip. The wings are marinated overnight in fish sauce and garlic, then fried to a shatteringly crisp golden brown. They arrive piping hot with a side of lime pepper salt for dipping. The fish sauce marinade penetrates deep, giving every bite a savory punch that Southern fried chicken cannot match.
Bun Mi best-value
Bun Mi is a modern Vietnamese cafe in Buckhead that puts out some of the city best Vietnamese fried chicken wings. The preparation is lighter and more refined — the batter is delicate, the fish sauce glaze is subtle, and the wings come with a house-made sriracha aioli. It is the version you would serve to friends who claim they do not like fish sauce.
So Ba hidden-gem
So Ba brings serious Vietnamese cooking to East Atlanta, and their canh ga chien are a menu highlight. The wings get a double-fry for maximum crunch, and the fish sauce caramel glaze is applied with a restrained hand that keeps them sticky-sweet without being cloying. The lime pepper dipping salt on the side adds a sharp, acidic counterpoint.nnVietnamese fried wings bring something Southern fried chicken never will — fish sauce umami in every bite.