Hot wings are known to pair with celery, carrots, and French fries, but there’s a secret power partner: fried rice.
Venture to the literally-named Wings & Rice for 5 Wings as a lunch special ($9.50) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or outside that time frame as the combo special ($11.50).
The combos include five bone-in or boneless wings, a small fried rice, a small salad, and a fountain drink.
Sauces include Dragon’s Breath, Spicy Orange, more variations on teriyaki than you can shake your finger at, and more. Choosing from the 23 sauces is the only hard part.
Fried rice is simple enough, but Wings & Rice adds a drizzle of their “Japanese White Sauce.” It tastes like an umami-rich Japanese mayonnaise thinned with zingy rice vinegar, nutty sesame, and other seasonings — the recipe is a secret, however. The sauce also makes the fried rice more easily devourable, as the extra moisture somehow avoids making anything soggy. It’s the main reason that Wings & Rice stands out.
If your companions are unwilling to try the delectable due of hot wings and fried rice, they can order a Philly cheesesteak ($10.50), a katsu platter ($10.50), or a Parmesan chicken sandwich ($6.50). Not the variety you’d expect from a South Korea native chef, but it’s delicious diversity regardless.
Wings & Rice is located at 5502 E. Pima St. #110 and can be reached at (520) 731-3313. For more information, visit wingsandrice.com.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
