Best Chicken Rice in Singapore

Chicken rice in Singapore: what to know

Chicken rice in Singapore is tender chicken served with fragrant rice, chilli sauce and ginger. Many people call it the national dish. It is mild, cheap and easy to like, so it makes a good first meal for visitors. This guide explains the dish, how to order it and where to try it.

What is Hainanese chicken rice?

The dish came to Singapore with migrants from Hainan Island in southern China. Over time, it became a local favourite. A plate has three main parts:

• The chicken. It is gently poached, then often dipped in cold water so the skin turns smooth and firm.
• The rice. It is cooked in chicken stock with garlic, ginger and sometimes pandan leaf. Each grain is shiny and full of flavour.
• The sauces. Expect a chilli sauce with lime and garlic, crushed ginger and thick dark soy sauce.

Slices of cucumber and a small bowl of clear soup often come with it. Read What Is Hainanese Chicken Rice? A First Look for Visitors and Chicken Rice Sauces Explained: Chilli, Ginger and Dark Soy to learn more.

Steamed or roasted?

Most stalls offer two kinds of chicken. Steamed chicken, also called white chicken, is the classic poached style. Roasted chicken has darker skin and a slightly sweet, smoky taste. Some stalls let you have half of each. Our post Roasted vs Steamed Chicken Rice: Which Should You Order? compares them in detail.

How to order chicken rice

1. One plate or a shared chicken. Order a single plate for yourself. Groups can order a quarter, half or whole chicken, with rice on the side.
2. Choose the cut. Breast meat is lean. Thigh and drumstick are juicier. Some stalls charge a little more for drumsticks.
3. Add sides. Popular extras are greens with oyster sauce, braised egg and bean sprouts.
4. Get extra sauce. At some stalls, you can help yourself to more chilli and ginger at the counter.

A plate at a hawker stall usually costs around S$4 to S$7. Restaurants charge more, and whole chickens for sharing cost more again. Prices change, so check the menu board.

Where to eat chicken rice in Singapore

Our list covers well-known names across the city:

• Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is a hawker stall at Maxwell Food Centre, in the Marina Bay & CBD area.
• Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice is in the Newton & Novena area.
• Boon Tong Kee (Balestier) is in the Balestier & Toa Payoh area.
• Kampong Chicken Eating House is in the Tiong Bahru & Alexandra area. Kampong means "village" in Malay.
• Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice is in the Dempsey, Tanglin & Holland area.
• Chatterbox is in the Orchard & River Valley area, close to the shops of Orchard Road.

All of these serve Hainanese food. For more places in this style, see our Hainanese restaurants.

Tips for beating the queue

The best-known stalls can have long queues at lunch, especially at weekends. Go before the lunch rush or in the mid-afternoon. Some stalls close once they sell out, and many take one day off each week. If the queue is long, it usually moves fast, as each plate takes little time to prepare.

Read Chicken Rice Queue Tips: When to Go and What to Expect for more advice. You can find all our posts on the dish in the Chicken Rice section of the blog.

FAQs about chicken rice

Why is it called Hainanese chicken rice?

The dish was brought to Singapore by migrants from Hainan Island in southern China. Local cooks then made it their own.

Is chicken rice spicy?

The chicken and rice are mild. The chilli sauce is spicy, but you can add as much or as little as you like.

How much does chicken rice cost in Singapore?

A plate at a hawker stall usually costs around S$4 to S$7. Restaurant prices are higher. Prices change over time.

What is the difference between steamed and roasted chicken?

Steamed chicken is poached and has smooth, pale skin. Roasted chicken has darker skin and a slightly sweet, smoky taste.

Can I share a whole chicken?

Yes. Most stalls and restaurants sell quarter, half and whole chickens. Order rice for each person separately.