Chicken rice is one of the most popular local dishes in Singapore. Particularly, Hainanese Chicken Rice is known as the nation’s national dish. Originating from Chinese Hainan immigrants in the 19th century, the traditional Wenchang chicken recipe was adapted to local tastes. It features poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in a chicken broth, accompanied by a spicy chili and ginger sauce. Today, the classic dish has transformed in Singaporean cuisine offering a range of styles, flavours, and textures. Here are six of the best places to find chicken rice in Singapore.
1. Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice
Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice, established as a rival by Wong Liang Tai, who was the previous head chef at renowned Tian Tian mentioned at #2 on our list. The highly-recommended hawker stall offers affordable tender poached chicken served with rice and flavourful condiments like spicy chili sauce, oyster sauce vegetables and bean sprouts. Definitely, one of the best traditional Hainanese chicken rice dishes in Singapore.
📍1 Kadayanallur St, #01-07 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
2. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
This hawker stall, located at Maxwell Food Centre, is the most famous place to eat succulent chicken and fragrant rice together. In fact, it gained global recognition when Chef Gordon Ramsay was defeated by Tian Tian in a chicken rice challenge. The iconic stall, received a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, for its tender poached chicken served with aromatic jasmine rice cooked in chicken broth, pandan leaves, chili sauce, and ginger paste. The legendary eatery expanded with additional outlets across the city, but Maxwell Food Centre is the original one.
📍1 Kadayanallur St, #01-10/11 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
3. Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice
Popular family restaurant, Wee Nam Kee, is known for preserving traditional Hainanese chicken rice recipes across two generations. Established in 1989, the eatery now has various outlets across Singapore. The brand offers three types of chicken: poached, soy sauce, or fried. The juicy poached chicken cooked in a flavourful sauce with well-oiled rice and a mild fragrant is frequently purchased.
📍Various Locations
4. Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice
This long-standing establishment first launched in Singapore in 1953. Today, Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice is a popular restaurant along Balestier Road which has become a staple for Hainanese chicken rice lovers. The authentic dish features either roasted or poached chicken served with rice, cooked in chicken broth, and paired with three sauces: ginger, light chili, and soy. There are sets where you can add various side dishes like braised egg, tofu, and vegetables. In fact, the restaurant has even expanded its popularity to Vietnam.
📍342 Balestier Rd, Singapore 329774
5. Boon Tong Kee
This chicken rice restaurant has been popular among locals and tourists since 1979 in Singapore. There are several outlets across the island and it’s the perfect place to tuck into late night meals because it opens until 11pm. The Chinese restaurant is known for both Cantonese and Hainanese cooking styles in its juicy chicken rice served in a signature chili sauce, which contributes to Boon Tong Kee’s reputation as one of the best chicken rice spots in Singapore.
📍Various Locations
6. Katong Mei Wei
This popular chicken rice spot, has been famous for more than 35 years, and is now hidden inside Katong Shopping Centre. It is noted for its boneless chicken rice, served with a unique dressing that enhances flavours, either poached or roasted chicken, and complimentary add-ons. Certainly, the chicken rice meals are nostalgic at Katong Mei Wei. Definitely, one of the most delicious chicken rice spots in Singapore.
📍Katong Gourmet Centre B1, 865 Mountbatten Rd, KATONG shopping centre, Singapore
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