Katong Mei Wei: Famous 35-years chicken rice with free soup & achar in Katong Shopping Centre
Folks in Katong will definitely know of this hidden gem, thanks to its immense popularity in the East. Hidden in run-down Katong Shopping Centre, Katong Mei Wei is known for their to-die-for tender chicken and complimentary add-ons!
Despite the lack of their own social media accounts, Katong Mei Wei goes beyond with just word of mouth. Just recently, the brand opened a second outlet at East Village.
I have been coming to eat here since I was a child, so the visit to the chicken rice joint was a familiar journey. At any point of time, you will see one of the Uncles plating the achar and ladling sauces in batches.
On a weekday afternoon, the wait wasn’t as bad as the online reviews I had read. Now, they had a queue number system, along with a speaker sounding out what order was ready for pick up. Definitely more advanced than your usual run-of-the-mill coffeeshop stall.
Located in Katong Gourmet Centre, the seating area definitely is shabby as compared to other eateries. However, that is not to say that the place is unsanitary. Rather, the decor holds nostalgia for folks all around, as this sight is quite rare in Singapore’s always-upgrading scene.
Katong Gourmet Centre houses 2 other food stalls that are currently in operation, both of which are quite popular. However, it’s safe to say that Katong Mei Wei has them beat, considering the never-ending orders. Almost every table had a huge portion of chicken paired with a couple plates of rice, clearly indicating everyone’s preference.
What I tried at Katong Mei Wei
Something I liked about the ordering system here was how flexible the a-la-carte ordering was. Since there is no additional charge for choosing your preferred part of the chicken, I asked for a bigger portion of chicken thigh, and Auntie happily obliged.
With some quick maths, it’s easy to see that ordering a la carte makes more sense than ordering individual portions when in a group. I do admit that the chicken rice here is on the costlier side, but it is truly worth every penny. My portion for 3 people amounted to S$31.40, which was good value for money.
Katong Mei Wei’s Achar made for a refreshing appetiser with its tangy-sour taste that ignites your appetite. Involving crunchy cucumber, pineapple and sliced red onions, this pickled vegetable dish gave a great balance of acidity and spice that even I (who completely cannot take spice) could tolerate.
Katong Mei Wei has never disappointed with the amount of meat given, which otherwise has always been my pet peeve when it comes to this local dish. Safe to say, I am a fan of the high tower of chicken meat here.
With the first bite, I immediately knew why my parents have always come here for their chicken rice cravings. I thoroughly enjoyed how tender the chicken flesh was, and juicy enough to even be enjoyed on its own. My personal taste gravitates towards the steamed chicken as opposed to the roasted one, as it was more succulent than the latter.
With a sesame oil-based sauce, the chicken was chock full of flavour. Even the cucumbers beneath the meat absorbed all the oily goodness, and were flavourful to eat with rice. Greasy in all the best ways, the plate of protein is worth all the cholesterol warnings.
Of course, the equally important factor has to be the rice. It was wholly satisfying, having been infused with plenty of ginger and chicken stock for that classic Hainanese chicken rice taste. Not at all jelak or oily, it made for a wonderful complement to the chicken.
Another factor that brings folks back has to be Katong Mei Wei’s free soup policy! Unlike the usual MSG-heavy broths, the one here is freshly made-in-house. It is a salted vegetable soup that was full of ingredients like cabbage, carrots and some stray chicken bits.
If you get an additional protein like Char Siew (S$2.20) or Roasted Pork (S$2.20), another soup will be provided completely free of charge. I prefer this one to the former vegetable broth, as the herbal flavour here neutralises the oily feel in your mouth. The lotus root and peanuts within won me over, comforting me from the inside-out.
Final thoughts
If people from other parts of Singapore had to try out one place in the East, it would have to be this chicken rice stall. The only complaint I have about the place is the crowd during peak hours!
While in the area, it would be a shame to miss out on the other goodies hidden in the mall. Fantastic desserts can be found in The Humble Scoop or Dona Manis Cake Shop. After all, the perfect way to end a meal is with something sweet!
Expected damage: S$7 – S$9.60 per pax
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