It’s hard to think of a dish more Singaporean than chicken rice. Sure, the ever flashy chilli crab demands a mandatory Instagram pan, but you wouldn’t have those coral pincers every day, would you? Unlike the special occasion chilli crab, chicken rice shines in its simplicity and unabashed ordinariness.
Of course, that’s not to say a plate of chicken rice is pedestrian. As we know, the more seemingly straightforward a dish, the more skill and technical prowess required. As an island who takes their food seriously, we certainly rose to the occasion with a whole host of chicken rice places that promises a happy tummy. What’s even better, they deliver too.
Here are 10 Chicken Rice Spots that deliver so you’ll never have to cross the road.
1. Boon Tong Kee
A household name when it comes to chicken rice, Boon Tong Kee should be on everyone’s bucket list.
This Cantonese-style chicken rice started from humble beginnings from a stall in Chinatown to the thriving restaurant. Still, their Signature Boiled Chicken ($7.20) is silky and unparalleled.
Well, you can never go wrong with a classic and Boon Tong Kee is one of them.
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2. Wee Nam Kee
Another heritage spot, Wee Nam Kee was founded in 1987 and has even made appearances at overseas events—that’s how well-loved it is.
They serve up a plate of authentic Hainanese Chicken Rice (From $5.75) that will leave you wanting more.
Have your pick between Steamed, Roasted and Soya Sauce chicken accompanied by a mound of glistening rice. To give you an idea, Wee Nam Kee chicken rice is so famous that it’s been made into Pretz sticks —if that’s not a testament to Wee Nam Kee’s chicken rice, I don’t know what is.
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3. Nanyang Chicken
When a place serves only one thing, you better believe that they have perfected their recipe to a T. Nanyang Chicken is one such place, the good folks here specialise in soy sauce chicken.
Nanyang Chicken’s Soy Sauce Chicken Wings ($9.90) come with six in a portion of six wings stewed in signature Nanyang sauce.
While not exactly ‘chicken rice’ as we know it, Nanyang Chicken still serves up finger-licking chicken and rice with their Soy Sauce Chicken Wings Bento ($5), aptly named their Princess Soy Sauce Chicken, you’ll certainly feel like royalty after a bite of this.
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4. Soup Restaurant
If you are an inexplicably old soul, Soup Restaurant plays right into that nostalgia. I know, it does say Soup Restaurant so why would you expect any sort of chicken rice here?
In fact, the chicken rice that Soup Restaurant peddles is not like the one we’re used to. Instead, Soup Restaurant’s chicken rice hearkens to those sepia-toned days where hawkers would sell their wares from roadside stalls along Chinatown. Their Samsui Ginger Chicken (from $23.90) comes as a circular spread of tender, steamed chicken squares with an accompanied by fragrant ginger and sesame oil.
This one is special indeed, Samsui women only enjoyed this delicacy once a year during Chinese New Year, so savour this like prized dish it is.
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5. Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice
Chicken rice that’s steeped in tradition is always a promising sign. Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice has been in Singapore for more than two decades so you know they’ve experimented and researched to perfect their chicken rice recipe.
An authentic plate of Hainanese chicken rice, soft and almost satiny texture of steamed chicken that has been sous vide to retain the most flavour, Jew Kit is sure to delight and satisfy.
You can’t help but be charmed by their set, appropriately named Lovely Meal (可爱餐) $10 this set is just right for one pax. With chicken as great as this, you’ll be glad you’re not sharing. Pair a plate of their chicken rice with Jew Kit’s Charcoal Beancurd ($15) and you’ve got a stellar meal ahead.
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6. Five Star Hainanese Chicken Rice
Like any other Singaporean, we are overachievers at heart and want nothing but the best. With chicken rice, we have exceptionally high expectations and Five Star Hainanese Chicken Rice does not disappoint.
Five Star Hainanese Chicken Rice specially uses kampung chicken, which you don’t need to be an expert to know that you’re in for a real treat. Unlike the stressed factory-farmed chickens, these birds roamed in larger pastures and are considerably more relaxed. This results in a more flavourful bird that has less fat and an overall more gratifying bite.
Doused in their piquant ginger sauce and house-made chilli, you know all those hours at the gym are worth it. Stick to the basics here and order yourself a Standard Chicken Rice Set (White) ($5.40) and lunch is settled.
7. Express by Chatterbox Delivery
Sometimes you’re in a pinch and plagued with a sudden and insatiable craving for chicken rice. This is where Express by Chatterbox Delivery steps in, just think of them as your lighter, fuss-free purveyor of chicken rice and other local favourites should need arise.
Their Signature Mandarin Chicken Rice Set ($12.30) would definitely be a good option for a quick fix. If you’re feeling adventurous the Signature Mandarin Chicken Rice and Popcorn Chicken Set ($16.80) would be a welcome change. After all, who can really resist popcorn chicken?
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8. Pow Sing Restaurant
There’s nothing like people who really passionate about their wares to get your appetite going. Well, Pow Sing Restaurant takes this dedication to whole new level, their chicken is no ordinary bird.
Pow Sing Restaurant uses a special breed of organic lacto chicken where it’s grown without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. Not to mention, these chicken live like kings (as they should be) and even to listen to Mozart. As you would expect a chicken that lives a luxurious life does indeed taste better.
Good things are made for sharing and you can’t go wrong with Pow Sing Restaurant’s Signature Hainanese Chicken (Organic) (from $19) where get to taste just how SES this chicken truly is. Hey, maybe some of that magic will rub off on you, you know what they say—you are what you eat.
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9. Katong Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice
Katong Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice has achieved somewhat of a cult status in the East. Known for their intensely yellow-hued rice and smooth-as-silk chicken, you’ll know why people flock from all over to try their chicken.
You can choose from the Roasted ($6.40) or Steamed ($6.40) variety, though my money is on the steamed chicken.
Another thing you’ll have to appreciate about Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice is how they offer the less popular parts of the chicken such as the Chicken Feet (from $6). It’s a real treat for those love nibbling on these cartilaginous bits.
10. OK Chicken Rice
They might call themselves OK Chicken Rice, but the husband and wife team behind the stall are more than okay. During the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in Singapore, they delivered more 10,000 packets of chicken rice to healthcare workers.
That alone is more than enough reason to purchase a packet of chicken rice. With the usual selection of Roast Chicken Rice ($6) and Steamed Chicken Rice ($4.90), you can’t go wrong with a stall with as much heart as this.
For something nourishing, a piping bowl of Herbal Chicken Soup w Rice ($8) curled up in front of Netflix is all you really need.
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There is nothing more quintessentially Singaporean than a plate of chicken rice. While I love going to a boisterous hawker centre and battling the heat and crowd, there are just lazy moments I would love chicken rice delivered to my door.
