Mynah Bird is a Hawaiian fried chicken carryout tucked inside Pasadena Wine and Spirits in Pasadena, MD. It’s truly a hidden gem, and they’re known for their hand-breaded, made-to-order chicken. The standout for me is their Spicy Bay Bird Sando (a Chesapeake dry-rub fried chicken sandwich on toasted Hawaiian rolls), but their sugar-rolled malasadas are another must.
Some of the best food finds are the ones you would drive right past, and this one literally lives inside a liquor store, lol. A big thanks to @vy_jiau for putting me on, because I never would have guessed that some of the best Hawaiian fried chicken around was tucked into the back of a wine and spirits shop.
If you already trust my Pasadena picks, add this one to your list. Everything is super fresh so you get that just-fried crunch instead of something sitting under a heat lamp. Here is everything I got, plus other notes you need before you go.
And if you’re making a morning of it in this part of Anne Arundel, The Coffee Trailer in Severna Park is just a few miles away, a weekend-only spot on the B and A Trail with specialty lattes and cold brew from Magothy Roasting.
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What is Mynah Bird, and where is it located?
Mynah Bird is a Hawaiian fried chicken spot located inside Pasadena Wine and Spirits at 8150 Ritchie Hwy Ste B, Pasadena, MD 21122, open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM. It’s easy to miss since it shares a space with the liquor store, but the fried chicken’s very much worth hunting down. For now it’s mainly a carryout spot, though the team is reportedly building a bar in the space, so keep an eye out. You order at the counter, grab your food, and go. If you love this style of noms, you definitely need to check out Halo Hawaiian BBQ over in Arbutus as well.
What to Order at Mynah Bird
Here’s everything I tried, with prices, so you can plan your order.
Spicy Bay Bird Sando ($14.49)
This was the star. Think freshly fried chicken with a spicy Chesapeake-style dry rub, topped with a creamy spicy sauce, hot honey garlic sauce, pickled onions, and coleslaw, all on toasted Hawaiian rolls. An excellent sandwich, Nomsters. The texture game was strong, and the flavors were on point. That Old Bay-leaning dry rub makes it feel very Maryland, even on a sweet Hawaiian roll.
If you’re a fried chicken sandwich person, this one belongs on your DMV list. It holds its own next to the spots in this DMV chicken sandwich roundup!
Another Anne Arundel County chicken stop worth knowing about: Big Chicken just opened in Gambrills, and Shaq’s fast-casual debut in Maryland comes loaded with sauced tenders, thick sandwiches, and shakes.
Mac Salad ($2.99)
I grabbed a side of mac salad, and it was solid, but the portion was a little small for me. Next time, I’m just gonna get the Mynah Bird OG Plate so I can enjoy the mac salad WITH chicken and coconut rice all on one plate. I think you get more bang for your buck this way.
Cherry Limeade ($3.99)
Their house-made limeade with a splash of dark cherry is perfect for a hot summer day. I loved this and could NOT stop drinking it, lol. It’s sweet, tart, and exactly what you want alongside something fried.
What are malasadas, and can you get them in Maryland?
Malasadas are Portuguese-Hawaiian yeast doughnuts, fried fresh and rolled in sugar, and yes, you can absolutely get them in Maryland at Mynah Bird. Their Malasada Donuts come two for $2.99, and they’re SO yum. This is a MUST when you go, no notes.
They are pillowy, warm, and coated in just enough sugar to make you want a third. If you are a doughnut chaser like me (see my Sandy Pony Donuts deep dive), don’t skip these. A couple bucks for fresh malasadas is a steal for real.
About Pasadena Wine + Spirits
I love that you walk into Pasadena Wine + Spirits and there’s a whole Hawaiian fried chicken operation inside. The liquor store itself is great, too, with cigars, tasting options, and a team that really knows what they are talking about, so it is easy to make a whole little errand out of it. There’s plenty of parking out front as well!
Good to Know
- Address: 8150 Ritchie Hwy Ste B, Pasadena, MD 21122 (inside Pasadena Wine and Spirits)
- Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM
- Ordering: Mainly carryout for now, made fresh to order, so build in a little wait
- Tip: Ordering in store reportedly gets you a 15 percent discount versus online or delivery, so it pays to swing by in person
- Parking: Easy peasy
So, Is Mynah Bird Worth It?
YES! This is a phenomenal addition to the Pasadena community, and the fact that it is hiding inside a liquor store just makes it more fun to tell people about. Between the Spicy Bay Bird Sando and those malasadas, it is an easy carryout win, and the prices keep it very doable. If you like chasing down under-the-radar spots, this is exactly your kind of find.
Have you guys been to Mynah Bird yet? Let me know what you order when you go, Nomsters.