So, what is Hainanese chicken rice? It is tender poached chicken served with rice cooked in chicken stock. Chilli sauce, ginger and dark soy sauce come on the side, with a small bowl of clear soup. Many people call it Singapore's national dish, and almost every hawker centre sells it.
The dish looks simple, but each part takes skill. This guide explains what is on the plate, how it arrives and how to eat it on your first try.
Where the dish comes from
Hainanese chicken rice is named after Hainan, an island in southern China. Immigrants from Hainan brought a simple chicken and rice dish with them to Singapore and Malaysia. Over many years, it changed to suit local tastes.
In Singapore, you can eat it at hawker stalls, in coffee shops and in hotel restaurants. Many stalls sell little else, so the cooks focus on this one dish. For a wider view of local food, browse the Hainanese restaurants on our site.
The parts of a plate
The chicken
The classic chicken is poached. Cooks lower a whole bird into hot stock and cook it gently, below a full boil. They then dip it in iced water. This stops the cooking and firms up the skin. The skin turns smooth and slightly jelly-like, and the meat stays juicy.
The chicken is chopped and served at room temperature, not hot. It usually comes with a light soy sauce and sesame oil dressing and a few slices of cucumber. Menus often call this style 'steamed' or 'white' chicken. Many stalls also sell a roasted version. Our guide to roasted vs steamed chicken rice compares the two.
The rice
Many locals judge a stall by its rice. The raw rice is first fried in chicken fat with garlic and ginger. It is then cooked in chicken stock, often with pandan leaves for a light, sweet smell. Good chicken rice is glossy and fragrant, with every grain separate.
The three sauces
Most plates come with three sauces:
- Chilli sauce: red chilli, garlic, ginger and lime. It is sour, garlicky and fairly hot.
- Ginger paste: finely grated ginger, often mixed with a little oil and salt.
- Dark soy sauce: thick, sweet and almost black.
Our post on chicken rice sauces looks at each one in detail.
The soup
A small bowl of clear chicken soup usually comes on the side. It is light and mild, and sometimes has a little cabbage or spring onion in it. Sip it between bites.
How a plate arrives
At a hawker stall, you order at the counter and wait while the cook chops your chicken. The chicken may sit on top of the rice or come on its own plate. The sauces may be in small dishes, or you may help yourself at the counter. If hawker centres are new to you, read what a hawker centre is first.
A typical plate for one person includes:
- a mound of rice, sometimes shaped into a dome
- sliced chicken, with or without bones
- a few slices of cucumber
- the three sauces and a bowl of soup
Groups can order a quarter, half or whole chicken, plus a plate of rice each. Many stalls also sell braised eggs and Chinese greens with oyster sauce. See how to order chicken rice in Singapore for each step.
How to eat Hainanese chicken rice
There is no strict rule, but here is how many locals do it. Put a little chilli and ginger on a piece of chicken. Eat it with a spoonful of rice. Add a few drops of dark soy to the rice if you like it sweeter.
Locals usually eat with a spoon and fork, using the fork to push food onto the spoon. Chopsticks are also fine.
Where to try it first
Most hawker centres have at least one chicken rice stall, so you rarely need to travel far. A few well-known places to start:
- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre, a hawker stall near Chinatown that often has a queue.
- Boon Tong Kee (Balestier), a sit-down restaurant on Balestier Road.
- Chatterbox, a restaurant in the Orchard area, if you prefer table service.
Expect to pay roughly S$4 to S$8 for a plate at a hawker stall, and much more at a restaurant. Prices change, so check the menu board. For more places, see our chicken rice restaurant list or the other Chicken Rice guides.
FAQs about Hainanese chicken rice
Is Hainanese chicken rice spicy?
No. The chicken and rice are mild. Only the chilli sauce is hot, and you add as much as you like.
Is the chicken served cold?
It is usually served at room temperature, not hot. This is normal and keeps the meat tender. The rice and soup are warm.
Why is it called Hainanese chicken rice?
It is named after Hainan, the island in southern China where the cooking style came from. Immigrants from Hainan brought it to Singapore.
Is chicken rice a good first dish for visitors?
Yes. It is mild, filling and easy to order, and almost every hawker centre sells it. Our Singapore food guide for first-timers lists other dishes to try next.
