Ask anyone in Singapore and they will tell you that Chicken rice is an iconic dish here. Enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, each area in the city has its own renowned spots for this delectable meal. Think fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, succulent chicken meat with crispy roasted skin, a bowl of warm, hearty soup paired with spicy, homemade chilli. The sheer thought of the dish is enough to make us drool at our desks. If you, like us, are huge fans of chicken rice, here is a list of best chicken rice stalls in each area.
East Side
Let’s begin with the best side of the lot, the East. Honestly, there’s more than one stall that serves exceptional chicken rice. But the winner, for us, will have to be Bruce Lee Chicken Rice. This hidden spot in East Coast Road will get you going back for more. Although a tad bit unconventional, an order of roasted chicken rice will get you a plate of chicken coupled with a medley of vegetables (bean sprouts, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and braised tofu) doused in a secret savoury sauce. It also comes with an unlimited serving of achar! And in true Bruce Lee fashion, the chilli here packs a punch and will surely get you screaming for waataah!
Where: 396 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428994
North Side
Another household name is Yishun 925 Hainanese Chicken Rice. This stall has been a staple in the North for years. Known for its flavorful chicken and perfectly cooked, aromatic rice, the stall draws crowds from all over the island. But is it worth traveling down to the North for? You bet it is. They have also branched out over several areas, where the remain consistent in quality to give people what they want. You can expect tender and moist chicken, and a serving that’s full of robust flavor! The chicken rice here also comes with a tiny side of achar. Be sure to get to the original stall early to avoid a long queue.
Where: Blk 1, 925 Yishun Central, #01-249,
South Side
On to the South we have Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. Also known as the late Anthony Bourdain’s favourite joint. Located at Maxwell Food Centre, Tian Tian is known for their juicy chicken and rice that’s chock full of flavor. A bowl of soup, chilli and ginger paste are provided here, making it the perfect accompaniments to your chicken rice experience. Don’t believe men? This stall’s long queues are a testament to its quality and reputation.
Where: 1 Kadayanallur St, #01-10/11 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
West Side
Finally, we have the West Side. Admittedly, this is an area that’s less frequented by many. And tucked away in this ulu area, we have Hoe Kee Kitchen located in Jurong West 505 Market & Food Centre. Known for its steamed chicken rice, Hoe Kee Kitchen was also included in the Michelin Guide Singapore with a Michelin Plate in 2023. It’s also famous for its affordable price, at only $2 per plate. Despite its official closing time of 6pm (as listed on Google), they are notorious for selling out by late lunch time, with a queue sometimes forming before their official opening hours of 10am. Talk about a hit!
Where: Jurong West 505 Market & Food Centre, #01-39, Blk 505, Jurong West Street 52, Singapore 640505
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in the East, North, South, or West of Singapore, you can find top-notch and highly raved about chicken rice stalls that do justice to the nation’s unofficial national dish. Each stall offers a unique take on this classic meal, making your trip down worthwhile. It wasn’t easy narrowing down one stall from each area, but we did it. However, we do understand that taste is subjective so don’t come for us if you feel like any of the stalls above aren’t the best that Singapore has to offer!
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