Best Hainan Chicken Rice In SG Foodie Gals Need to Try 2026 

1. Boon Tong Kee Restaurant

Girl, if you know your chicken rice, you know this name. Boon Tong Kee started way back in 1979 as a humble Chinatown hawker stall before glowing up into the Balestier Road institution we know today. Yes, it’s pricier, but you’re paying for that quality upgrade. 

The rice is an absolute mood with its pandan-fragrance that has just the right hint of ginger and garlic. It’s also soft and fluffy with a light oiliness that makes every spoonful hit different. The kampung chicken here shows up in thick, juicy chunks (unlike some other branches, TBH), thanks to an ice-bath technique that keeps the meat and skin silky smooth. 

It’s a little lighter on flavour solo, so don’t skip drizzling that signature light soya sauce over it. Only con? The chilli sauce leans too sweet for some, without enough heat or tang to really stand out. Still, a certified classic worth the splurge. 

Prices:

• Signature Boiled Chicken (Half): $23.11
• Chicken Rice and Vegetable Set Meal (3 pax): $50.14
• Chicken Rice, Beancurd and Meat Set Meal (4 pax): $65.40

Highlights:

• One of Singapore’s most established chicken rice institutions since 1979
• Wonderfully fragrant rice infused with pandan, ginger and garlic
• Thick, silky chicken with consistently tender texture
• Original Balestier outlet remains one of the most reliable branches

Customer Reviews:

I Ng
Boon Tong Kee never disappoints! The chicken is exceptionally well-cooked — tender, juicy, and packed with flavour. The texture is just right, and you can really taste the quality in every bite. Beyond the chicken, the other dishes are also above standard. Everything we ordered was well-prepared and delicious, making it a very satisfying meal overall. Most importantly, it offers great value for money. Considering the quality of the food and the portion sizes, the pricing is very reasonable. Definitely a reliable choice for a good chicken rice meal. Highly recommended!

ERIC CHAN
This is not just a chicken rice joint. It’s an institution. The white poached chicken is still as tender as ever with the right amount of fats on it to keep it juicy. Rice is served nice and warm in a little bowl. Still very fragrant the way I remembered it from decades ago. We order the spinach with eggs and it did not disappoint. Nice wok hei, if that’s even possible. Still highly recommended .

Farid Hamka
You just can never go wrong with this chicken rice. The rice is fragrant, the chicken tastes clean while not being bland. The side dishes in the place are also champions. Be sure to order their crispy tofu, prawn toasts, and cauliflower stir fry. They will make your meal complete and harmonious.

2. Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice Restaurant

Often mentioned in the same breath as Boon Tong Kee, Wee Nam Kee is the budget-friendly queen of the scene, with sets starting from just $5.90. The rice here is soft, fluffy, and comfortingly sweet, though a touch greasier and slightly clumpy in places. Still, very much a vibe. The one area where Wee Nam Kee truly slays is the tenderness of their chicken: it’s so silky it practically melts in your mouth. It’s arguably one of, if not the best hainan chicken in Singapore in our books.

As for the condiments, the light soy sauce packs a punch but doesn’t drown the plate, letting the chicken’s natural flavour shine through. Like a lot of tourist-favourite spots, the chilli here plays it safe, but it strikes a nicer sweet-spicy balance with a little zesty kick. Portion sizes are generous for the price too, even after GST and service charge get added on. Honestly, everything about this plate feels consistently solid, making it a reliable go-to that’s a cut above the rest, no notes. 

Prices:

• Chicken Rice Sets: $5.90++

Highlights:

• Individual chicken rice sets from just $5.90++
• Exceptionally tender chicken that practically melts in your mouth
• Fragrant rice with generous portion sizes
• Well-balanced chilli with pleasant sweetness and spice

Customer Reviews:

Julius Tan
Best roasted chicken rice in Singapore hands down. Had their chicken rice for many years and the main branch is the best, their roasted chicken has crispy skin with flavourful meat. I had their roasted chicken at their now defunct Marina Square outlet and it wasn’t very good. I usually eat at their restaurant to ensure the chicken is at its tastiest. You can skip their tze char dishes and stick to just chicken rice because most of them are underwhelming. I have eaten their baby sotong, Thai style beancurd, dough fritters and sambal kangkong and all of them were below average.

Ramesh N
Our go to place for Chicken rice. Rice was flavoured well and roasted chicken was tender. Great chili sauce too. Service was fast and efficient. Lots of family with kids and can get noisy during peak hours on weekends.

A B C Traveller
The best chicken rice in Singapore, ranked by chicken rice lovers. This is the main branch. If you do not arrive early, you may need to queue up. The boiled chicken and roasted chicken is the best. The sauces are superb. We enjoyed the meal so much. Highly recommended for tourists.

3. Sam Leong St Chicken Rice

Sam Leong St. Chicken Rice (named after the OG road it once called home) started out as a humble 30-year-old street stall and is now a full-on air-conditioned restaurant. Talk about quite the glow-up. This is your spot if you want quality chicken rice in comfy digs without breaking the bank. 

The chilled chicken is tender and smooth, with jelly-like goodness under that slippery skin (the wing tip especially is chef’s kiss gelatinous). It’s not overly seasoned, letting that pure chicken flavour speak for itself, elevated by a light soy drizzle that lingers on the tongue. 

Torn between roasted or poached? Regulars lean roasted, but honestly it’s a toss-up. Even the breast meat stays juicy and full of flavour — you could eat this chicken solo, no rice needed. Speaking of rice, the rice itself is fragrant with a gingery hint, plump and moist in every bite. Bonus: the garlicky chilli (no lime, no sugar) is a refreshing change of pace. To top it all off, the generous portions and fast-food-style efficiency means it’s a solid 10/10 for busy meal rushes. 

Prices:

• Quarter Kampung Chicken Rice: $11.80
• Poached/Roasted Chicken Rice: $5.80
• Poached/Roasted Drumstick Chicken Rice: $6.80
• Poached/Roasted Budget Meal Chicken Rice: $3.80

Highlights:

• Affordable restaurant-quality chicken rice
• Extremely tender poached and roasted chicken options
• Rich, aromatic rice that’s delicious even on its own
• Generous portions with efficient fast-service concept

Customer Reviews:

Apoorv Kumar Upadhyay
This place is near to mustafa shopping centre and a very old establishment.
I love their chicken rice and the portion is huge and tasty also they are very old and renowned in the business.
This place is open till late hence recommend it for a late night hunger

aul
JUST AMAZING & SUPER DELICIOUS HAINAN CHICKEN RICE IN SG!!!! super easy to find, the ambience is perfect!! i got the Quarter Kampung Chicken Rice and it was AMAZING, no words can explain, alhamdulillah. it is worthy every penny. would like to come soon again🥳

storage sita
Halal chicken rice restaurant near Mustafa Centre. Worth to visit! Set meal was plenty and affordable. Fast service. Overall nice experience.

4. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

You’ve seen it on every tourist’s Singapore food vlog — Tian Tian is basically chicken rice royalty, Michelin-approved and all. The queue at Maxwell Food Centre is real (they literally have poles to manage it), but portions start affordably at $5 for roasted and $6 for steamed. 

The fragrance here is a whole experience: garlic, pandan, and chicken stock all coming through beautifully, with that rich chicken fat flavour lingering in every bite. The chicken itself has a translucent, jelly-like skin with a satisfyingly slippery texture. The sauce is thicker and sweeter than most, which might not vibe with everyone’s palate, especially if you’re more of a savoury type of gal. Chilli-wise, it’s mild and garlicky rather than sharp. No doubt a decent starter chilli, but it doesn’t quite deliver that expected punch. The hype and legacy are undeniable, but if long queues aren’t your thing, there are equally excellent options elsewhere worth trying first. 

Prices:

• Chicken Rice Set: $5 (S), $6 (M), $9 (L)

Highlights:

• Michelin-recognised chicken rice stall
• Aromatic rice infused with garlic, pandan and chicken stock
• Silky steamed chicken with signature glossy skin
• One of Singapore’s most iconic hawker food destinations

Customer Reviews:

Janchicsiken
Got half a chicken and two rice for $19. This store don’t serve roasted chicken, only steamed – the steamed chicken is unbelievably silky soft, topped with generous amounts of coriander, sliced cucumber and doused with the most flavourful umami sauce. Singaporeans like to say it’s very touristy but as a local, I can say there’s a good reason why they got so popular. If you’re coming to Singapore and only can hit one chicken rice spot, this is an acceptable store. I’d recommend to get the half chicken so you get a variety of thigh, breast and wing parts to be able to try everything (usually people prefer a certain part). The only thing I can nick-pick about is that they don’t serve peanut soup and the other chicken stores in the same hawker centre do.

Wesley Smits
The hype is worth it: this was some of the best chicken rice we ever had. Perfect in its’ simplicity. The veggies were delicious too. I would definitely recommend going with the poached chicken option. Don’t be spooked by a long waiting line, it actually goes super fast. Our line started outside of the building but we got the food within 15 minutes.

ALVAN
I always eat here every time I’m in Singapore. If the Maxwell outlet is closed, I’ll go to the Orchard one instead. I always order the roasted chicken—great rice, delicious chicken, never disappoints. If you come during lunch hours, it’s best to find a seat first, leave something to reserve it, then go queue to order.

5. Katong Mei Wei Chicken Rice

Tucked in the basement of Katong Shopping Centre, this longtime local fave is often an airport-to-table pit stop for tourists and a forever favourite for regulars.. First thing you’ll notice? That gorgeous golden-yellow rice, coloured by turmeric with earthy notes plus garlic and ginger aromatics, though the bold seasoning can slightly overshadow the pure chicken taste. 

Portions here are seriously generous, and the chicken itself is some of the smoothest, most tender and juicy you’ll find. The soy sauce, mixed with chicken broth, brings a subtle sweetness, finished off with crispy fried garlic and carrots for texture. The chilli sauce, despite being more diluted, still brings tangy, acidic notes that cut through the richness nicely, with just enough heat to wake up your taste buds. Yes, it’s pricier than some spots, but between the achar (loaded with pineapple and veggies) and a rotating soup on the side, this full meal absolutely earns its price tag. 

Prices:

• Steamed & Roasted Hainanese Chicken
  • Breast: $7.70
  • Single wing: $7.70
  • Thigh: $8
  • Drumstick: $8.20

Highlights:

• Extremely generous chicken portions
• Signature turmeric rice with fragrant garlic and ginger
• Includes excellent achar and hearty rotating soup
• Smooth, juicy chicken finished with savoury broth and fried garlic

Customer Reviews:

Geri Q
Back after a few years, still taste as good as ever! We tried the half chicken portion and it is generous, along with the pork lotus soup and achar. Added on oyster vegetables too and it is a hearty meal. Uncle saw my sprained feet and offered to help me carry my tray of food, very thoughtful despite his busy schedule. Highly recommended for everyone to try, after chicken rice can go for banana pie 😁😁 definitely food coma right away!

Jechtto
This was my go-to chicken rice back in the days when Counterstrike Lan Gaming was all the rage and Katong SC was our CS team’s usual haunt. Now I fondly remember this being one of the best in the East. So has time diluted the taste of this establishment? Is it still as good as before? The answer is a resounding YES. Expensive too. This meal for 2 in my photos cost over $25. But it is damn worth it. The quantity and quality of both the white and roasted chicken is top tier, sauce, meat were still as good as I remembered. The Lotus Root Peanut soup was sublime too.

Presilia EW
My favorite chicken rice ✨ they provide pickles and soup, both are great addition for the chicken. The chicken was always perfectttttt 1000000/10.

6. Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice

A true legacy brand, Loy Kee’s story started back in 1953 at Raymond Market, and three generations later, it’s still going strong as a beloved family-run institution. Michelin has even given them their stamp of approval as one of Singapore’s culinary pioneers — iconic status confirmed. 

Everything here is made from scratch daily, from home-brewed sauces to never-frozen chicken, resulting in perfectly steamed or poached meat with just the right bite. The rice is coated and cooked to fragrant perfection, tasty enough to enjoy solo. Their chilli is hand-cut for extra texture and layered with chicken fat for serious depth of flavour. 

What’s fun here is the choice: go traditional by dipping each chicken slice into sauce with rice, or go rogue and build your own flavour combo. Some regulars mix soy straight into the rice, others blend soy and chilli for a sweet-spicy kick. However you eat it, it’s your rules, your rice. 

Prices:

• Whole Hainanese Chicken: $40
• Half Hainanese Chicken: $22
• Loy Kee Special Set: $9.80
• Drumstick Special Set: $11

Highlights:

• Family-run heritage brand established in 1953
• Fresh, never-frozen chickens prepared daily
• House-made sauces and hand-cut chilli prepared from scratch
• Michelin-recognised with over 70 years of history

Customer Reviews:

Wendy Lai
Had Loy Kee chicken rice for takeaway – super tasty! Chicken was tender, rice fragrant, and the sauces were perfect. Everything was packed well and still warm. Really stands out among the rest! Best Chicken Rice I’ve had in a while! 👍🏻

Xavier Marzan
A must try in Singapore! The place is not fancy but the food is fantastic! Been to many chicken rice places and this is still the best for me. Everything we ordered was super delicious- hainanese chicken rice, roasted chicken, fried tofu, bokchoy, fried prawn roll 🤩 Fyi, they accept card payments.

Eileen T
Stumbled upon this hidden gem of a chicken rice restaurant on Balestier Street, and I’m so glad I did! The soya chicken was delicious, and the ngor hiang had a wonderful homemade taste. The staff were super attentive and friendly, and I appreciated that they were generous with the chilli and sauces. Definitely going back!

7. Sinn Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice

Tender chicken, fragrant rice, and a chilli sauce with real character. Sinn Ji checks all these box, and it won’t drain your wallet either. Chef-owner Derwin Chan brings a next-level poaching technique using a custom cylinder tool that evenly circulates the poaching liquid throughout the whole bird. Seriously, the dedication is unmatched. 

The result? Chicken that breaks apart effortlessly with a silky texture, lightly savoury from the soy drizzle, and topped with a thin gelatinous layer under translucent skin. Even the roasted version stays impressively tender (usually roasted chicken can get tough, but not here), plus you get that satisfying crispy skin bonus. The rice is fragrant enough to have you drooling before the first bite, and thanks to minimal oil, it never feels heavy even after multiple servings. The real showstopper, though, is the chilli, which is thick, spicy, sharp, sweet, and zesty all at once. And good news for chilli girlies: refills come fast and easy.

Prices:

• Poached Chicken Rice: $5.50
• Roasted Chicken Rice: $5.50
• Crispy Chicken Cutlet Rice: $6

Highlights:

• Innovative poaching technique for consistently tender chicken
• Equally excellent poached and roasted chicken options
• Light yet fragrant rice that’s easy to keep eating
• Thick, flavour-packed chilli with free refills

Customer Reviews:

Izhar
Tldr still had seats on weekend afternoon. Had delicious roasted chicken rice and nice wontons. Good enough to satisfy chicken rice cravings. Not too damaging to wallet.

Musho Pea
Both regular and roast chicken were incredibly soft and tender! The most tender I’ve ever had. The rice is mildly flavored but it pairs great with the chicken oil, black sauce and chilli. Their soup is also very fragrant. It is one of the best chicken rice.

Victoria Martin
One of the best chicken rice places in Singapore. Average prices, but amazing flavors. Don’t come here to get roast chicken though, you must get the poached chicken. It’s so moist and has that gelatinous layer under the skin to keep in all the juices – so yummy! The chili is VERY SPICY so proceed with caution, but the ground ginger/garlic sauce is so good! Highly highly recommend. They do bento boxes too which is good for takeout.

8. Nam Kee Chicken Rice Restaurant

This is not the famous Wee Nam Kee, but its own humble, family-run gem that’s been serving Upper Thomson since 1968. Nam Kee Chicken Rice Restaurant is your comfort-food spot, the kind of homely zi-char restaurant you return to when you just want an easy, no-frills family meal. 

The steamed chicken rice comes with cucumber slices and a light, clear soup on the side. Simple, but satisfying. The rice has a matte, slightly dry-looking finish, but don’t let that fool you: it’s always cooked just right, never too soft or too firm, with subtle hints of ginger, pandan, and spice woven through. 

The chicken is generally moist with that signature jelly-like skin, though quality can vary slightly by cut (the thigh tends to outshine the breast). Their chilli brings a bolder spicy kick with less acidity than most, perfect if you like heat over tang. All in all, a true hidden-gem comfort spot. 

Prices:

• Hainanese Steamed Chicken: $18++
• Hainanese Roasted Chicken: $18++

Highlights:

• Family-run restaurant serving diners since 1968
• Comforting neighbourhood zi-char atmosphere
• Well-balanced rice with subtle ginger and pandan fragrance
• Chilli sauce with a noticeably stronger spicy kick

Customer Reviews:

viking T
This restaurant ve been around for decades, serving great Haninese Chicken Rice. Taste definately authentic but place is quite run down. Think they should pay more attention to their kitchen & toilet hygiene coz it really does not reflects good. Overall, a restaurant needs to portray it’s commitment not just by food alone but in all aspects. Still packed with customers, I was there deliberately, early to ensure a table. The place just filled up past 7pm. Wanted a half/half roast & steam chicken but the roast chicken was sold out. Visited on 4th day of CNY & was charged additional 10% due to festive. Overall, a satisfying meal. Damage for 4pax $110.

ต้นอ้อ รีวิว
This chicken rice shop was recommended by the locals, so I came to try it. The place is air-conditioned, comfortable, and has a bit of a vintage feel. I went around 3 PM, which isn’t a meal time, so there weren’t many customers. I ordered takeaway, and the food came out quickly with very little waiting time. Parking might be slightly difficult if you’re driving. As for the taste, the chicken rice was quite good — flavorful rice and tender, juicy chicken. I didn’t try the other dishes, so I’m not sure how they are, but the chicken rice itself was delicious. It’s definitely another place I would recommend trying.

Michael Motet Hansen
This is probably the best chicken rice I have had since the late 80s … It really brought back some memories from the days when I first time visited Singapore. Must try place 👍

9. Five Star Kampung Chicken Rice & Kitchen

Calling all night owls — this is your go-to for late-night chicken rice cravings. While Five Star has outlets in River Valley and Beauty World too, only the flagship Katong branch stays open past midnight, ready to save you from a 2 AM hunger emergency. 

Their rice comes out fluffy and well-separated with zero mushiness, though lighter on chicken flavour than some heavier, oilier versions. The star here is the kampung chicken itself, which is leaner and more active-raised than conventional birds, giving it a clean, pure taste that chicken purists will appreciate. The soy sauce leans strong but stays tasty, while the thick, coarse house-made chilli sauce brings a tangy acidity that pairs beautifully with both the chicken and soy, plus a gentle spicy-sweet finish. Truly, a reliable midnight-snack MVP you can never go wrong with.

Prices:

• Hainan Chicken (1 pax): $7.58++
• Hainan Chicken (Half): $30.52++

Highlights:

• Flagship outlet opens until late at night
• Uses premium free-range kampung chicken
• Light, fluffy rice with clean flavours
• Tangy house-made chilli with satisfying spice

Customer Reviews:

Honey Bee
The chicken rice is delicious. I recommend you to come and try it. There are other menus as well. It is located in the center city. It is convenient to travel if you are staying in th

MW Toh
The chicken rice was really delicious. The rice was fragrant and flavourful. I had breast meat but it was really tender and succulent. Presentation of the food was delightful!. Comfortable restaurant with air conditioning. Parking was easy to find. Highly recommended!

Shaharil Makol Abdul
Incredible experience here. The food was so good, and the chicken rice is easily one of the best I’ve had. Highly recommend. Also, this spot stays open later than the other locations.

10. Uncle Louis Famous Chicken Rice

Founded by a former Hilton chef, Uncle Louis runs three low-key stalls tucked into heartland hawker centres that all have total hidden-gem energy and are criminally under the radar. The white chicken here is cooked beautifully: slippery skin with a thin jelly layer, tender and moist breast meat that’s never overcooked, all elevated by a beautifully seasoned sauce. 

The roast chicken holds its own too, with tender meat and a flavourful five-spice seasoning that never tips into too-salty territory. Honestly, choosing between the two is basically impossible, so just get both and treat yourself. The rice comes out perfectly plump and intact, with extra rendered chicken fat giving it that special fragrant edge. A sweet bonus touch: minced ginger served alongside the usual chilli and dark soy, adding subtle warmth even if it’s not particularly spicy.

Prices:

• Roasted Chicken Rice: $5++
• Chicken Rice Set: $5++
• Chicken + Char Siew + Veg Set: $22++
• Chicken + Char Siew + Roasted Pork + Veg Set: $26++

Highlights:

• Founded by a former Hilton chef
• Excellent poached and roasted chicken selections
• Fragrant rice enriched with extra rendered chicken fat
• Includes freshly minced ginger alongside classic condiments

Customer Reviews:

Scott Hayes
It was outstanding and my first time there having Hainanese Chicken Rice – make sure to get the triple option, you’ll know when you are there and also the sauces on the side. Plus, Uncle Louis and staff were so friendly, I will go back next time in SG!

Sheue Lin Ng
You do not need to queue for this chicken rice. The chicken from this stall is really nice, soft and tender, soya sauce brings out the sweetness of the chicken and generous amount of cucumbers. Chicken rice was well cooked , chilli sauce is super spicy and the soup that comes with it is flavorful. Will be back!

Khim Wee Tay
I saw lots of tourists queuing for the Tian Tian chicken rice opposite (their chicken rice is one of the best in Singapore, btw). To support other good chicken rice stalls, I decided to give Uncle Louis a try. It didn’t disappoint and made me love chicken rice again. The rice was perfect IMHO compared to another acclaimed stall in AMK. Uncle Louis is so much better! The maxwell Food Centre is relatively dark at night compared to other neighbourhood food centres, though..