Your Chick-fil-A Singapore survival guide: everything you need to know

Popular American fast food chain, Chick-fil-A, opens its hallowed doors on Dec 11 – much to the anticipation of fans of its iconic chicken sandwich. But really, does Singapore need another fast-food chain in the scene?

Apparently, Chick-fil-A isn’t just here to expand our waistlines. The brand is kicking things off with a $25,000 donation to The Food Bank Singapore – and will throw in another $25,000 for every new outlet they open. Not bad for a company best known for deep-fried temptation.

Naturally, we had questions. And cravings. So we trooped down to Bugis+ on a rainy morning, joining a motley crew of media folks who were just as curious as we were.

1. We know you’re not here to admire the decor, but please do

Spanning 3,907 square feet, the outlet features a large overhead installation shaped like Singapore, complete with a tiny highlight marking where Chick-fil-A has planted its flag in Asia.  If you ask us, it looked more like Australia at first glance – though to be fair, we hadn’t had our coffee yet.

There’s also a playful mural in red and white that blends the brand’s signature menu items into a stylised cityscape, along with a long communal table inspired by the Singapore River.

2. The tables and booths are fun-sized

Don’t lug your Christmas shopping – or your emotional baggage – to the restaurant. We found the tables and booths to be a bit of a tight squeeze.

3. Try the special Singapore-only chilli sauce

By now, fast food franchisees know better than to deprive Singaporeans of their love of spice. Chick-fil-A Singapore serves a chilli sauce reminiscent of the garlic chilli you’d get with Hainanese chicken rice. 

Personally, we prefer the original Chick-fil-A sauce, a smokey combination of ranch, barbeque, and honey mustard.

4. Chick-fil-A closes on Sundays

Yes, even fast food joints need a mental health day. 

Really, it’s a tradition started by founder Truett Cathy in 1946, to allow employees to rest and spend time with family or worship. Who knew?

5. It’s ok to be a basic b*tch

Skip the fully loaded burgers (the deluxe sandwiches from $8 to $9.50, a la carte) and go straight for the classic Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich ($6.80 a la carte, $11.80 for a meal with a regular soft drink and regular fries). It’s as simple as it gets – a single fried chicken patty between buttered buns and two pickles. 

But hold your collective gasps: the patty itself is juicy, flavourful and marinated in a mysterious blend of spices that makes it good enough to eat on its own. Trust us.

And while you’re at it, don’t miss the Chick-fil-A nuggets ($6.90 for 8pcs) –  bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast, freshly breaded and pressure-cooked in peanut oil for maximum tenderness.  They’re best enjoyed with one of the six dipping sauces, which include Garden Herb Ranch, Honey Mustard and Barbeque.

Also, the waffle potato fries ($3.80) – sans potato skin – are worth trying. We found them to be crisp, less salty and less dry compared to the crisscut fries by you-know-who.

6. Don’t call their chicken sandwiches a “burger”

Lest you commit this cardinal sin.