Cluk

Manchester has a glut of fried chicken, but Cluk on Canal Street is pushing the category into brave new territory. This isn’t just another late-night pit stop. Instead, the team here have taken inspiration from Korea’s obsession with fried chicken and blended it with Manchester’s taste for bold, indulgent flavours. The result is a place that feels as much about fun as it does about food.

Step through the door and you’re greeted by a colourful, high-energy dining room that leans into its party-street location. The drinks list is strong – cocktails, mocktails and a fully stocked bar designed for pre-club fuel or a mid-week treat – but the food steals the show.

You’ll find steaming bowls of ramen, salt and pepper plates, bao, and loaded fries stacked high with toppings, giving comfort classics an Asian fusion spin.

But Cluk’s signature comes in the form of its cheese-driven creations, a playful nod to Korean dining culture where cheese makes a regular appearance on the table. Their golden cheese powder chicken has quickly earned a reputation – boneless pieces coated in their own blend of dehydrated cheddar and mozzarella dust.

Then there’s the so-called Cheese Volcano, which arrives bubbling and molten, more theatre than side order. The kitchen doesn’t skimp on flavour elsewhere either, offering wings and boneless pieces in sauces from honey garlic to sweet and spicy, alongside a line-up of snacks and sharing plates that reward repeat visits.

Whether you’re perched inside before a night out, or simply chasing something a little different from the usual fried chicken offering, Cluk more than delivers.