The Lion City might as well be synonymous with chicken rice, although calling it our national food inspires our Malaysian neighbours to debate this issue ardently online. Everything from who makes the best nasi lemak to the best Hainanese chicken rice is up for discussion.
After all, us Singaporeans are nothing short of an opinionated bunch, and everyone seems to have specific preferences when it comes to the best chicken rice in Singapore. But although the dish was created by immigrants from Hainan in southern China and adapted from a Hainanese dish called Wenchang chicken, the one thing we can all agree on is that it tastes pretty damn good.
A number of nuanced factors play into individuals pledging loyalty to a particular store. Everything from the dish’s style (choose between steamed, roast, and soya sauce chicken); the fragrant greasiness of the rice; the silky texture of the meat and skin that’s achieved by gingerly poaching the bird; and even the sweet-savoury flavours of the accompanying sauces and chilli can inspire the most fervent discussions.
Whether you’re looking for good ol’ hawker classics, or want to get fancy with restaurant variations, read on for our list of the best Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore.
Where to find the best Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore:
You might also like…
(Hero and featured Image credit: Alex Ortega / EyeEm/Getty Images & Five Star Chicken Rice)
This story was first published on Lifestyle Asia Singapore
Jump To / Table of Contents
Boon Tong Kee was founded in 1979 by Thian Boon Hua as a humble chicken rice stall in Chinatown. The brand currently has multiple outlets and is renowned for serving the dish Cantonese-style with young, white cut chicken. Make a feast out of your visit by ordering other zi char dishes like barbecued suckling pig, crispy cereal prawns, and steamed egg with crab meat.
Opening hours differs outlet to outlet, more details here.
(Image credit: @iwino.hk via Instagram)
Many know Five Star as the go-to spot for chicken rice in the east. The restaurant prides itself in serving free-range chicken, which means the meat is less fatty and richer in flavour. Complete your meal with a serving of aromatic rice and drizzle over as much homemade chilli and ginger sauce as you desire.
Opening hours differs outlet to outlet, more details here.
(Image credit: @fivestarchickenrice via Instagram)
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice was awarded a Bib Gourmand award by the Michelin Guide in 2016 and queues for the stall have only grown since then. The perfectly-poached meat is the result of constantly innovating cooking techniques over the course of three decades. Today, the stall soaks the blanched chicken in an ice bath to give the meat its signature tender texture. Accompany it with a generous spoonful of homemade secret sauce, minced ginger, and brilliantly spicy chilli sauce.
Opens daily 10am to 7.30pm, closed on Mondays.
(Image credit: @alicexnguyen via Instagram)
Loy Kee is a family-run business that rose to prominence for its signature chicken rice and porridge in the 1950s. The brand continues to uphold the vision of its founder Loy Nie In, who believed fresh ingredients are essential to an outstanding meal. The stall is well-known for its succulent chicken and fragrant long-grain rice that’s accompanied by homemade garlic chilli and piquant dark soy sauce.
Opens daily 10am to 9.30pm
(Image credit: @loykeebestchickenrice via Instagram)
Jew Kit was founded in 1992 and has been serving up Hainanese chicken rice ever since. The brand sous vides the chicken to ensure succulent meat and skin, as well as a layer of melt-in-your mouth collagen in between. Other signature dishes include chicken feet in Thai sauce and bitter gourd salad.
Opening hours differ according to outlet location. More details here.
(Image credit: @jewkit via Instagram)
Wee Nam Kee allows diners to choose between steamed, roast, and soy sauce chicken. The rice here is known to be fluffy and not too greasy, and many praise the business’s dark soy sauce for being less salty. Round out your meal with a variety of zi char options such as cereal prawns, sweet and sour pork, and sambal kang kong.
Opening hours differ according to outlet location. More details here.
(Image credit: @weenamkee_sg via Instagram)
Ming Kee is arguably one of the most iconic chicken rice stalls in Singapore. Many flock here for the silky texture of the meat and skin, which is produced by dunking the cooked chicken in ice-cold water prior to chopping it up. Expect to be in the queue for about half an hour on weekdays and an hour on weekends.
Opens daily 10am to 8pm, closed on Tuesdays.
(Image credit: @missylovesdoof via Instagram)
Delicious Boneless, also known as Katong Mei Wei Boneless Chicken Rice, might be one of the lesser known names on this list but is a popular spot for chicken rice amongst those living in the east. The stall offers both steamed and roast chicken, and is known for serving achar (vegetables picked South Asian style) alongside it. Aromatic yellow-hued rice accompanies the meat and owes its colour to being cooked in chicken oil.
Opens daily 10.45am to 7pm, closed on Mondays.
(Image credit: @itravelneat via Instagram)
Another bonelesss chicken rice stall to order from? Xing Yun Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice. The unassuming plate comes with a slice of tomato and pineapple, for a bit of colour we presume, because the rice wasn’t greasy — but fragrant and savoury enough to add flavour to the dish as a whole. The steamed white chicken (the only kind they offer, by the way) was juicy, elevated by the special dressing sauce it’s served with.
Opens daily 7am to 2pm, closed on Tuesdays.
(Image credit: @every.cookandcranny via Instagram)
Da Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice differentiates itself from many locales with their fried chicken. Yes, you’ll be able to get regular chicken rice here too, but the deep-fried wings are what keeps diners coming back. The pieces are constantly freshly fried, with a truly crispy exterior and juicy meat — we like to order an extra plate because #DietStartsTomorrow.
Opens daily 6.30pm to 12am, closed on Thursdays.
(Image credit: @zweeteoh via Instagram)
You’ll find only two things on the menu here ate Hua Kee Chicken Rice — chicken rice (S$4/5) and Poached Chicken (S$15 for half/S$28 for whole). The no frills joint sports long queues whenever they’re open, and for a good reason too. The smooth, fork-tender meat, bathed in combination of light soy sauce and chicken broth, delivers a gentle savouriness that pairs well with the fragrant rice, but if you’re one for stronger flavours you might want to load up on chilli sauce and dark sauce.
Opens Tuesday to Sunday from 8am to 3pm. Closed on Mondays.
(Image credit: @yukibabe via Instagram )
