Frequently Asked Questions
What is Taiwanese Fried Chicken?
Taiwanese Fried Chicken (often known as Salt and Pepper Chicken, Popcorn Chicken, or Ji Pai) is one of Taiwan’s most iconic street foods. Unlike traditional Western fried chicken, which often uses a heavy flour batter, Taiwanese Fried Chicken is famous for its light, addictive crunch and aromatic seasoning.
At Malalala, we bring this authentic night-market experience straight to your door in London. Here is what makes this style of fried chicken unique:
The Crunch (Sweet Potato Flour): instead of standard wheat flour, we coat the chicken in coarse sweet potato flour. This creates a distinctive "beaded" texture that stays incredibly crispy longer—perfect for delivery across London.
The Marinade: The chicken is marinated for hours in a savory blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice wine, five-spice and our secret blend of spices, ensuring the meat is juicy and flavorful before it even hits the fryer.
The Seasoning: Once fried, it is dusted with aone of our signature spice blends such as our salt and pepper blend. At Malalala, we stay true to our name by offering options with a spicy Mala kick (numbing spice) for those who love heat or a Plum and Pepper that perfectly marries sweet and savoury.
The Basil: Authentic Taiwanese Fried Chicken is often fried alongside fresh Thai basil leaves, like our Yan Su Ji, or SIgnature spice bags, which crisp up in the oil and infuse the chicken with a fragrant, herbal aroma.
Whether you are looking for bite-sized popcorn chicken or a massive crispy cutlet, Taiwanese Fried Chicken is the ultimate comfort food—crunchy, savory, and packed with spices.
What does your name mean?
The name Malalala is a playful nod to the bold flavor profiles we love, rooted in Chinese culinary terms. It breaks down into two parts:
Mala (麻辣): This is the famous combination of Sichuan peppercorns and chili. "Ma" refers to the tingly, numbing sensation, and "La" means spicy heat.
La La: We added the extra "La La" to emphasize the "Spicy Spicy" kick and the fun, rhythmic energy of our kitchen.
However, is everything on the menu spicy? Definitely not.
While we love the heat, our true passion is flavor depth. We understand that great Taiwanese Fried Chicken isn't just about burning your tongue—it's about the savory marinade, the aromatic five-spice, and that signature sweet potato flour crunch.
At Malalala, we are just as obsessed with our non-spicy options. Whether you want the full numbing experience or a comforting, savory golden crisp without the chili, we cater to every palate in London.
Is Your Food Halal?
Yes, Malalala is fully Halal.
We believe that the joy of authentic Taiwanese street food should be accessible to everyone in London. We take great care in our sourcing and preparation:
Certified Suppliers: All our chicken is sourced from trusted, Halal-certified suppliers.
Inclusive Menu: Whether you are ordering our signature crispy cutlets, popcorn chicken, or spicy wings, our Muslim customers can order with confidence.
We are proud to bring the first-class crunch of Halal Taiwanese Fried Chicken to the London delivery scene.
How is Taiwanese Fried Chicken different from Korean Fried Chicken?
Korean Fried Chicken is typically double-fried in a wheat-based batter and then heavily tossed in sticky, sweet-and-spicy glazes (like Gochujang or Soy Garlic). It is delicious, but often messy and "wet."
Taiwanese Fried Chicken (Malalala style) focuses on a lighter, "dry" crunch. We marinate our chicken first in soy, garlic, and five-spice to lock in the flavor inside the meat. Then, we coat it in coarse sweet potato flour. This creates a unique, beaded crust that stays incredibly crispy without needing a heavy sauce. Instead of a glaze, we finish it with a dusting of our signature salt, pepper, and spice blends.
If you love the flavor of fried chicken but prefer a lighter, crispier texture over a sticky sauce, Taiwanese style is the one for you.
Does Malalala offer catering for offices and events?
Yes, we do! Malalala provides bespoke catering for office lunches, corporate events, and indoor gatherings across London.
While we are famous for our crunch, our catering service goes far beyond just Taiwanese Fried Chicken. We offer a wider, Taiwanese-inspired menu designed to bring the full culinary experience of Taiwan to your table. From savory rice boxes (Bento style) to fresh sides and authentic street snacks, we create spreads that are perfect for sharing.
Why choose Malalala for your event?
Beyond the Fryer: We showcase a diverse range of authentic Taiwanese dishes, not just fried items.
Dietary Inclusivity: We can cater to all dietary needs, including Halal, vegetarian, and other specific requirements, ensuring no one on your team is left out.
Flexible Service: Whether it’s a casual team lunch or a larger indoor event, we scale our service to fit your needs.
How to enquire: We will be uploading sample catering menus to this website very soon. In the meantime, to discuss your requirements or get a quote, please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page. We’d love to spice up your next event!
How can I order Malalala and do you deliver to my area?
Ordering Malalala is simple. As a delivery-first kitchen, we partner with London’s top platforms to get our Taiwanese Fried Chicken to you hot and crispy.
You can find us on:
Deliveroo
Uber Eats
Hungry Panda
Where do we deliver?
Our delivery radius is dynamic and determined by the apps based on driver availability, but we primarily serve South East London and surrounding areas.
We definitely cover the following neighborhoods:
Bermondsey
Peckham & Camberwell
New Cross & Deptford
London Bridge & Borough
Waterloo & Elephant & Castle
Denmark Hill
...and selected parts of Central London.
Not sure if you are in range? The best way to check is to open your preferred app (Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Hungry Panda) and search for "Malalala." If we appear, we can deliver authentic Taiwanese flavor straight to your door!