What does the market and shopping district of Mongkok, Hong Kong; the former capital of the Inca Empire - Cusco, Peru; and March Pen Road - Spanish Town, Jamaica have in common?  

Look to the title of this post for a clue.  

That’s correct! They are home to the KFC fast food chain, and yes; I have sampled them all.  😝. 

Sometime ago I made it a goal to try the KFC in every country I visit. These are the types of things that pop into my mind that I feel I must accomplish 🙈. You may be relieved to find out that I haven’t been successful in meeting all my foodie objectives.  However, I believe I have captured enough market and research data on this one (eaten KFC in enough countries) to start reporting out. Just to be clear, this is a longitudinal study that will end once I have eaten KFC from all the 118 countries and territories around the world where KFC operates.😜.  

Background & Problem Statement: 

While the recipe for KFC may be the same, the taste tends to vary from country to country. For this reason, KFC aficionados frequently debate on the subject of what country has the best tasting KFC.  Possible factors that may contribute to the taste variation include; government regulations, poultry raising practices, where the eleven (11) herbs and spices are grown, climate, altitude...who knows? 🤷🏿‍♂️. We just know the taste vary from country to country.  

From where I sit, the KFC taste debate has been particularly intense between the Jamaica KFC and the Trinidad & Tobago KFC delegations and/or their supporters. Both constituencies believe they have the best tasting KFC worldwide. 

What has struck me about the debate is the fact that many of the contributors have not tried KFC outside of their home country and maybe one other country. While their loyalty and passion are admirable, their points of reference may leave some gaps in their evaluation. 

This is where I come in, Colonel Estoy Rey.

I am already on a mission to travel the world, so I figured I may as well do humanity a favor by trying KFC the world over and reporting on which KFC ranks best. Difficult I know, but someone has to do it. I have been at this for a number of years now, to the point that I am sure I may be forgetting some places from my list.  I can’t remember if I had KFC while in Mexico. 🤔.

Anyhow, my KFC Curriculum Vitae is as follows:

Methodology:  

KFCs worldwide will be evaluated on the taste of their original recipe fried chicken. The menu varies from country to country but one thing remains a consistent feature, the original chicken. The pressure-fried chicken pieces, seasoned with Sanders’ recipe of 11 herbs and spices are the cornerstone of the chain’s product line and more importantly, its success.  

Findings: 

While I set out to determine which country’s KFC prepares the best original recipe chicken, to my delight, I found much more.  

Variations in Menu Options 

Depending on where you are, the menu will vary. Menu offerings and even the names of some standard items vary deliberately as the brand adapts to each market, in some cases in fantastically unexpected ways. In China, for example, the menu has been customized to include localized menu items, such as rice dishes, soy milk drinks, egg tarts, and youtiao fried dough sticks. On the other hand, unpopular Western side dishes like coleslaw and mashed potato are replaced with items such as a salad of shredded carrot, fungus, and bamboo shoots.   

One of the most notable variations worldwide is the cut and name of potato (fries). In some countries they are served as French fries, in others you may get waffle fries or potato wedges. Outside of the original chicken you will also find some exciting and some interesting rubs.  For example, the BBQ chicken. You can find BBQ chicken in many countries but you will find that the tastes of the BBQ varies drastically. By the way, nothing satisfies my soul more than the BBQ offered by KFC Jamaica (I know, a bit much). In Hong Kong they had a “Flava Crava” which they describe as a rich roast sauce.  What is a rich roast sauce? 🤔. In Malaysia it is all about the dipping sauces. The KFCs there boasts Sauce Stations where choices include, chili sauce, Thai-chili and BBQ etc.

It is definitely clear KFC allows each country to exhibit its own flavor. 

More than the food 

Interestingly, just how KFCs are localized to suit the country’s tastes extends outside of their menu offerings to include the look of restaurants, amenities and price margins.  

Growing up in Jamaica, KFC was a regular lunch selection or a Friday/Saturday dinner option. It is also a regularly featured option at fetes and day parties. Most of the country has access to, and enjoys KFC on a regular basis. Travel north to the US and KFC depreciates in social value. In some countries you’ll have to go out of your way to get to a KFC, while in others a KFC is around every corner. Take Malaysia for instance; nearly 3% of all KFCs worldwide are in Malaysia while the country has less than 0.005% of the world’s population. Interesting per capita to KFC ratio. Either way, my stay in Kuala Lumpur was made complete with a check in for the study. 😉. In China, KFC is seen more as a fast food restaurant for the middle class. KFC China has positioned itself as a mid-range meal option for young professionals or a rare treat for families.

I also found new meaning to the phrase “eat clean” while in Asia and Central Europe. The KFCs there featured convenient hand wash stations.  This is perfect for cities where people get around using public transport or where the wash rooms may be located 3 floors above or below the dining area.  Speaking of “eating clean” while in Hong Kong my KFC was served with a pair of gloves. Great for those of us who like to pick up the drum stick. In Hong Kong, KFC is also doing major things to reduce their environmental impact. This includes, serving dine-in food in reusable mesh trays.

Portion also comes into play geographically, and when it comes going big – the US wins every time. There should be no surprise there.  

Results:  

If you check the list of countries where I have had KFC you will notice that Trinidad and Tobago is not there. Therefore, I will not be able to address that part of the debate on this post. If you think you have the answer, share your response in the comments.  

From the countries where I have had KFC, here are my top picks:

I think; therefore I am…Estoy Rey.