There isn’t a long checklist when it comes to making the best chicken rice — the rice should be fragrant and fluffy, the chicken moist and flavourful, and the soup ideally sip-worthy and not something you push aside like a sad side character. But the truth is, getting all 3 right is harder than it sounds.
To save you some time and help you find the best of the best, I took it upon myself to bring you the most beloved places for chicken rice in Singapore. Read on and get yourself a delicious meal. 🐓
01 • Chatterbox Restaurant
If you’re looking for a quick fix at a humble joint, avoid Chatterbox at all costs. That’s because the restaurant doesn’t just serve one of the best chicken rice in Singapore — it serves heritage and opulence. Born in 1971 with a dream to elevate the popular hawker fare, this gourmet eatery flipped the script by serving street food with silverware in a posh dining area.
The Mandarin Chicken Rice is their legacy. It uses a specially reared chicken steamed in an aromatic broth, resulting in tender and succulent bites. The broth, which is unusually rich and savoury, is also served as soup.
Equally important as the chicken is the rice, and I’m happy to report that at Chatterbox, each mouthful packs a pleasant garlicky punch that pairs well with the meat. And what’s a plate of chicken rice without some spice? The house-made chilli here has the perfect balance of hot and tangy, with a sneaky kiss of sweetness that binds everything together.
In addition, I recommend giving the Lobster Laksa a try, too. Think thick, luscious noodles soaking up a rich and spicy, coconut broth infused with spices. Swimming in this glorious broth is a whole Boston lobster, tender quail eggs, fish cakes, and silky sheets of beancurd. 🤤
📍 Address: 333 Orchard Road, #05-03 Hilton, Singapore 238867
📞 Phone: 6831 6291
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 11:30am – 4:30pm, 5:30 – 10:30pm | Fri to Sun, 11:30am – 4:30pm, 5:30 – 11pm
🌐 Website: chatterbox.com.sg
02 • Katong Mei Wei Chicken Rice
The Katong Mei Wei we know and love may have officially launched in 2019, but its roots go back to 1988 at the bustling People’s Park Complex. Now nestled in the peaceful East Village, this second-gen hawker is serving up plates of chicken rice that attract snaking lines.
Their fat, juicy, and glistening steamed chicken that looks like it just stepped out of a spa is the main reason. If you’re a roast chicken enthusiast, you’ll find that the roasted version is equally glorious with bronzed, flavourful skin that’s lightly crisp and gives way to tender meat inside.
The real deal in this dish is the rice. The grains are cooked in chicken broth and a hint of turmeric is added to the spice mix to give it the signature yellow colour.
Each plate comes with a comforting bowl of soup that has subtle flavours of radish and carrot, and a killer house-made ginger dip to add some pizzazz to the dish.
📍 Address: 430 Upper Changi Road, East Village, #01-07, Singapore 487048
📞 Phone: 9789 6886
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 9pm daily
🌐 Website: katongmeiwei.com
03 • Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice
For a restaurant to call themselves the best, Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice must have got all their ducks (or chickens) in a row — and they have.
The Loy Kee Special Set is the full Hainanese Chicken Rice experience on one tray of joy. The dish comes with a generous boat of tender boneless chicken and a bowl of fluffy, aromatic rice, infused with chicken stock, but that’s not all. On the side, you’ll also find a bowl of piping hot soup topped with fresh spring onions for that subtle herbal lift. But slurp it fast, because once it cools, the magic does fade slightly.
As someone who tries to dodge any vegetable, I was surprised that I devoured the steamed bok choy with my rice. It was bathed in a sesame-soy glaze and topped with crispy shallots that add a cheeky crunch to every forkful.
The platter is finished with the holy trinity of sauces — a ginger dip that’s bright and punchy, a chilli sauce with a light zing, and some soy sauce to add extra umami flavours to the meal. This was hands-down one of the best chicken rice I’ve had.
📍 Address: 342 Balestier Road, Singapore 329774
📞 Phone: 6252 2318
⏰ Opening hours: 10am – 9pm daily
🌐 Website: loykee.com.sg
04 • Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Long queues usually mean good food, and in Tian Tian’s case, this statement is true. This unassuming Maxwell Food Centre heavyweight has not only caught the eye of the Michelin guide but also impressed the likes of celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsey and the late Anthony Bourdain. Not only do they serve one of the best chicken rice in Singapore, but the options are affordable, too.
The steamed chicken is wonderfully plump and speaks volumes about the savoury broth it was poached in. The rice, which is neither too sticky nor too dry, compliments the chicken perfectly. I usually drown my rice in chilli sauce if it’s not tasty enough, but this time, I didn’t need to. Even though the chilli sauce tasted terrific, the rice didn’t require any flavour boosting.
The stall owner convinced me to get a side of steamed bok choy, and I was glad I went for it. It was fresh and crisp and came in a savoury oyster sauce with a hint of sweetness that got me hooked in no time. Topped with a generous amount of fried garlic, it added a roasted depth that made every bite a delight.
📍 Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-10/11 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
📞 Phone: 9691 4852
⏰ Opening hours: 10am – 8pm daily
🌐 Website: instagram.com/tiantianchicken
05 • Lucky Chicken Rice Singapore
Tucked away in a humble corner in central Singapore, Lucky Chicken Rice Singapore is a modest stall you might overlook. But trust me, this is where you’ll find one of the best Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore.
The food here is served fast, so if you’re on the brink of starvation, this is great news. The chicken is soft and each bite is juicy, whereas each grain of rice is coated in delicious grease from the broth. Chicken rice usually needs a hint of chilli for some added flavour, but beware, the chilli here is spicy with a capital S. Heat hunters and capsaicin connoisseurs, you’re in for a thrill. 🌶️
The chicken rice is served with a side of soup that’s salty with hints of umami, possibly from soy sauce. Don’t miss the beansprouts add-on, which gets along well with the chicken rice. These crunchy little fellas are fresh and add an interesting texture to the dish.
📍 Address: 304 Orchard Road, #02-110 Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863
📞 Phone: 6738 4175
⏰ Opening hours: 10am – 6pm daily
06 • Hwa Kee Chicken Rice
Hwa Kee’s story is a tasty plot twist. After leaving the shipping industry, chef Frankie Leow pivoted into F&B. Initially, he played it safe with the classic steamed and roasted chicken rice. He kept his real showstopper, the lemon chicken, on a secret menu available to a select few.
But thanks to some gentle yet persistent peer pressure from loyal fans, Mr Frankie and his wife Jane decided to rebrand Hwa Kee to include their lemony greatness. That was when they introduced their signature Lemon Chicken Rice to the public. It became an instant hit and has never gone out of trend.
The Lemon Chicken Rice screams comfort food. Sink your teeth into crispy chicken drenched in a tangy-sweet glaze that helps cut through the richness. The chicken is juicy on the inside and crackly on the outside, which goes so well with the umami-packed rice. One bite, and you’ll understand why people were begging for this dish to become their centrepiece. It’s simply citrusy, spicy-sweet, and addictive. Try it for yourself!
📍 Address: 3 Coleman Street, #01-12 Peninsula Shopping Centre, Singapore 179804
📞 Phone: 9001 8109
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 10:30am – 5pm | Sat, 10am – 5pm
🌐 Website: facebook.com/hwakeechickenrice
07 • Boon Tong Kee
What started as a tiny stall in 1979 has now blossomed into a full-blown chicken rice empire, with outlets across Singapore and a fanbase that borders a cult status. And once you’ve had a plate, it’s easy to see why.
Their signature steamed chicken is silky smooth and succulent and manages to be both delicate and flavour-packed. Paired with the buttery, aromatic, and fluffy rice, the dish will linger on your taste buds long after you’ve devoured it.
Bonus points go to their legendary garlic chilli sauce, which packs just enough heat to bring an exciting tingle to your tongue without setting off any internal fire alarms. I also loved the sharing plates of side dishes. The silken tofu with chicken floss is criminally good, its salty-sweet combination ticking all my boxes. The poached veggies, albeit simple, add a much-needed crunch to the feast.
📍 Address: Balestier Road, #399 to #403, Singapore 329801
📞 Phone: 6254 3937
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 11am – 3pm, 5 – 11pm | Sat, 11am – 11pm | Sun, 11am – 10:30pm
🌐 Website: boontongkee.com.sg
08 • Hai Ge Ji Hainanese (halal)
Celebrities love launching new products — perfumes, skincare lines, energy drinks that are unheard of. But let’s be real, trends go as quickly as they come. So when I heard that local rapper Sheikh Haikel had opened a chicken rice stall, I’ll admit I was initially a little sceptical.
Through my quest to find the best chicken rice in Singapore, I discovered that this shop does indeed deliver the goods. The chicken is simply toothsome, and light on the grease but heavy on the savoury light soy sauce flavours. Poke into it with your fork to reveal how juicy it is.
The rice is also delightfully appetising. It’s infused with chicken fats and the ginger-garlic magic that gives it that special oomph. If you’re a master at handling chilli, I recommend taking copious amounts of it for a bright and bold slap of heat to the otherwise subtle flavours of the dish. In other words, this is a celebrity venture I can get behind!
📍 Address: 783 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198751
📞 Phone: 9478 2070
⏰ Opening hours: 11:30am – 9:30pm daily
🌐 Website: haigeji.com/
09 • Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
When I order chicken rice, I only go for boneless breast meat. Why complicate my feasting journey with those pesky cartilages and bone shards? So, obviously, Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice is a dining haven I frequent.
Their steamed chicken has a cushiony bite to it. Health junkies will be happy to know that the meat is juicy without being greasy. It’s also free of that soggy skin syndrome that often haunts steamed chicken. The rice is an unsung hero, cooked well with a strong ginger-garlic aroma that hit my nose before I even took a bite.
For the roasted chicken aficionados, I can assure you that the skin is crispy and golden brown, with a distinctly buttery flavour. It’s so sinfully good that I kind of wished there was more skin than meat, which I admit, is a weird thing to want.
Remember to lap up every drop of the piping-hot soup. It’s full of chicken essence without all that grease floating on top. All in all, this is a simple, fuss-free meal that never fails to hit the spot.
📍 Address: 808 French Road, #01-03, Singapore 200808
⏰ Opening hours: Tue to Sun, 10am – 5pm
🌐 Website: facebook.com/tiongbahruhainanesechickenrice
10 • Five Star Chicken Rice
If you’ve ever wished for a plate of chicken rice with a side of generational expertise, Five Star Restaurant is your golden ticket. For one, the restaurant uses free-range kampung chicken which is essential to its texture and flavour. The meat is so flavourful yet lean, you’ll feel like it’s a healthy life choice and a guilty pleasure all at once. Each piece is slow-cooked to the point it’ll melt in your mouth.
The rice is no background actor either. It’s fragrant, subtly savoury, and the perfect companion to the star of the plate. The house-made chilli has a sharp, zesty kick, while the ginger paste is fresh and earthy.
What’s especially intriguing about this place is the backstory. The founder of this restaurant literally grew up with chickens, and his chicken intuition is so spot-on he could probably read poultry like tea leaves, and you can definitely taste that expertise in the food!
📍 Address: 191 East Coast Road, Singapore 428897
📞 Phone: 6344 5911
⏰ Opening hours: 10 – 2am, daily
🌐 Website: fivestarchickenrice.com
11 • Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice
Wedged among a row of stalls at Maxwell Food Centre, Ah Tai might not scream for attention. But the perpetual queue outside, especially during office hours, says it all. The chicken here is super moist and buttery, and the rice is slightly softer than the usual kind, but in a good, pillowy kind of way.
The chilli sauce opens with a citrusy burst of flavour which then gives way to an underlying mild spice. I experimented with adding a hint of the sauce directly into my broth and found that it enhanced the taste and made the unassuming bowl a moreish side to sip on.
📍 Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-07 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
⏰ Opening hours: Wed to Mon, 11am – 7:30pm
🌐 Website: facebook.com/AhTaiChickenRice
12 • Today Restaurant
This retro coffeeshop restaurant in the quaint neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru feels like stepping into a time capsule. There’s an old-school charm in the tiled floors, plastic stools, and handwritten signs, all bathed in the warm buzz of chatter, clanking cutlery, and the unmistakable aroma of chicken broth.
The best part about his place is that they don’t cut corners. Word is, the broth alone is a labour of love. It’s slow-simmered for over 6 hours with more than 10kgs of chicken bones and a medley of secret ingredients. The result is a clear, soul-hugging soup that could totally be a standout dish on its own.
The kampung chicken is fall-apart tender, with just the right amount of fatty skin in each bite and of course, the rice is cooked impeccably. The chilli at this joint deserves a special mention. It’s made with pineapple and delivers a punchy sweet-sour tang.
I rounded out the feast with the crowd-favourite Dragon Beard Kai Lan loved for its crisp and umami flavour, and some chicken satay accompanied by house-made peanut sauce. The sweetness from the peanut sauce was a lovely way to balance the savoury taste of the chicken rice.
If you’re in Tiong Bahru and craving more good eats, check out our fave food spots in the neighbourhood.
📍 Address: 71 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 160071
⏰ Opening hours: 7:30am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: instagram.com/todayrestaurantsg
13 • Hawker Chan
Back in 2009, Chef Chan brought Hong Kong-style soy sauce chicken to the thriving Chinatown Complex Food Centre. What began as a modest little stall took a sharp turn to fame when he was awarded a Michelin star in 2016 for selling the best chicken rice in Singapore. Years later, Hawker Chan has grown to over 30 outlets worldwide. But the original spot is still in Singapore and continues to serve chicken rice the same way it did back in its early days.
The soy sauce chicken comes in generously thick slices and boasts a glossy, almost caramelised finish which is sure to tantalise your senses. The meat is juicy but not overly oily, and the roasted skin adds a nice chew and a rich soy flavour that lingers. The rice is your usual — cooked well and topped with a lighter version of the soy glaze that adorns the chicken.
The chilli screams liquid mischief. It started with a tangy vinegar zing that made me go, “Wow, this is nice!”, which then baited me into pouring the whole saucer into my mouth. It didn’t take me long to realise how quickly the heat crept up and burnt. I’d say, go easy on it, my friend. 🥲
📍 Address: 78 Smith Street, Singapore 058972
⏰ Opening hours: 10:30am - 7:30pm daily
🌐 Website: liaofanhawkerchan.com
14 • Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice
Step into Jew Kit to be transported into a retro daydream straight out of 1960s Singapore. Old-school grilled gates, posters of old classic film stars, and vintage radios are all part of this restaurant’s charm.
As for the food, let’s just say the founder’s Hainanese heritage isn’t just for show. The chicken was chef’s kiss — silky skin, tender meat, and none of that tragic fibrous chew that plagues some other places.
The rice leaned on the cleaner side and wasn’t drenched in oil. Some might see it as a red flag, but it actually made the dish feel surprisingly lighter and more balanced. Still indulgent but less heavy on the post-meal food coma.
📍 Address: 105 Killiney Road, Singapore 239546
📞 Phone: 6733 5578
⏰ Opening hours: 11 – 12am, daily
🌐 Website: jewkit.com.sg
(Featured photo: Today Online)
