What Does the Number 65 in Chicken 65 Mean?

Chicken 65 is a common starter we order usually with a round of beers. It is a spicy fried chicken starter, which many a time people confuse as a Chinese dish. However, Chicken 65 originated in Chennai and not China. The dish makes for a good accompaniment even with a meal course.

We relish the dish but how many of us have actually questioned why is it called 65 and not 60? Or why not any other number? Chances are, even if we ask in the restaurant, they too may not be aware of the history of the dish. Let us decode it for you.

The 65 in the name has a lot to do with its origin in the Buhari restaurant in Chennai. The Buhari hotel is known for its Biryani but it is also the place which created the dish by marinating chicken pieces in spices and then deep frying them until they become crisp. Naturally, it became immensely popular in not just Chennai but across borders. The number 65 denotes the year 1965, in which the dish was prepared. The Buhari’s could have made it their patent but they did not as they knew the way the dish would get popular. Well, we find Chicken 65 on every menu today be it a classy fine-dine or a roadside dhaba. The spicy and crispy factor make it relish worthy.

While at many places today we get boneless chicken 65, originally it was with bones. Now each of the states has adapted to their preparation and the dish gets its variations. However, the name still remains Chicken 65.

Other funny nomenclature stories:

• There are certain people who have given their theories about the 65 in the name. One explanation states, this dish was made including 65 variations of chillies. Eating spicy food was considered a sign of manliness so eating a plate of Chicken 65 was a manly thing to do. We wonder if there are even so many chillies?
• Yet another explanation says the chicken was cut into 65 pieces to make the dish, hence it is called Chicken 65.
• The most bizarre that we have heard is the marinade required for this dish took 65 days of preparation. This one challenges logic!

But now you know what it really stands for. So the next time you order it, flaunt your knowledge in front of your friends as to how it got its name. In fact, the origin of this dish was even as a question in one of the episodes of Kaun Banega Crorepati. So it is definitely not a Chinese starter, but a true Indian origin from the South of India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 26, 2017 10:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).