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.

Us Singaporeans are nothing short of an opinionated bunch, and everyone seems to have specific preferences when it comes to the 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:

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(Hero and featured Image credit: Alex Ortega / EyeEm/Getty Images & Five Star Chicken Rice)

1 /11

Boon Tong Kee

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.

(Image credit: @iwino.hk via Instagram)

Address

Multiple locations

2 /11

Five Star Chicken Rice

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.

(Image credit: @fivestarchickenrice via Instagram)

Address

191 East Coast Road, Singapore 428897

3 /11

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

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.

(Image credit: @alicexnguyen via Instagram)

Address

Multiple locations

4 /11

Loy Kee Chicken Rice and Porridge

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.

(Image credit: @loykeebestchickenrice via Instagram)

Address

342 Balestier Rd Singapore, Singapore 329774

5 /11

Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice

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.

(Image credit: @jewkit via Instagram)

Address

Multiple locations

6 /11

Wee Nam Kee

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.

(Image credit: @weenamkee_sg via Instagram)

Address

Multiple locations

7 /11

Ming Kee Chicken Rice

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.

(Image credit: @missylovesdoof via Instagram)

Address

Blk 511 Bishan St 13 #01-522 Kim San Leng Food Centre Singapore 570511

8 /11

Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice

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.

(Image credit: @itravelneat via Instagram)

Address

Katong Shopping Centre #B1-85/87, 865 Mountbatten Rd, 437844

9 /11

Xing Yun Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice

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.

(Image credit: @every.cookandcranny via Instagram)

Address

347 Jurong East Ave 1, Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre, Singapore 600347

10 /11

Da Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice

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.

(Image credit: @zweeteoh via Instagram)

Address

75 Lor 5 Toa Payoh, #01-31, Singapore 310075

11 /11

Hua Kee Chicken Rice

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.

(Image credit: @yukibabe via Instagram )

Address

85 Redhill Ln, Singapore 150085

The post 11 places for the best Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore, from hawkers to restaurants appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Singapore.