Cover picture source: (L): Buhari Hotel; (R): Your Food Lab

Last year, the classic Chicken 65 rose to third place on TasteAtlas’ list of the best fried chicken dishes in the world. It was previously at number 10. The move up saw Indians all over the world take a bow, especially those in the kitchen at Buhari Hotel — touted as the birthplace of the iconic starter — on Chennai’s Mount Road. To date, the signature recipe remains on the eatery’s menu.

While the years have seen some equally delicious chicken starters emerge, the hype around this one sustains. Don’t be fooled by its simple appearance. As you bite into the crispy appetiser, be warned, several flavours are about to clamber for your attention — spicy, tangy, and hot.

But, the question that begs to be asked here is how a hyper-regional snack once heroed in a Chennai eatery became commonplace on menus around India and the world.

And why 65 out of all numbers?

One lore claims it was the number of ingredients that dictated the starter’s name; others contend it was the year of its creation (1965), while yet........

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