Best-of Guides Singapore

Where to Find the Best Chicken Rice in Singapore

7 Restaurants
On the hunt for the best places to get your Chicken Rice fix in Singapore? Let our MICHELIN Guide inspectors show you where!
Updated on 15 September 2023

There are many dishes that are very much representative of Singapore, and one of the most iconic of them is, of course, chicken rice.

Loosely referred to as Singapore's national dish, the ubiquitous Hainanese chicken rice requires a meticulous preparation process. To make this classic chicken rice dish, the chicken is first scalded until cooked through before it is dipped in ice-cold water to keep the meat soft and tender. Served with chicken broth, ginger sauce, black soy sauce, and chilli, the highlight is the rice that has been cooked with the chicken's oils. The end-product may look deceptively simple, but it is very delicious.

Singapore's offerings also go beyond the traditional Hainanese chicken rice. There is also kampung-style chicken rice where the poultry used is leaner. Soya sauce chicken rice is also a popular choice, as well as salt-baked chicken. With the diversity presented in a single dish, Singapore's chicken rice definitely draws in curious diners to uncover more of the Lion City's chicken rice culture. Being equally fascinated with Singapore's chicken rice, the MICHELIN Guide inspectors share with us where to get the best ones in Singapore, so read on below!

Boon Tong Kee (Balestier Road)
399, 401, 403 Balestier Road, 329801 Singapore
$ · Singaporean

Popular with locals, Boon Tong Kee (Balestier Road) which opened in the 1980s started out as a small stall and has now expanded to a number of branches. The signature boiled chicken that they serve is made with a treasured recipe. The meat is delicately cooked and tender; and to accompany it is a special chicken sauce and glossy chicken rice — everything comes together perfectly. Paper-wrapped chicken and spring chickens are also available.

Ji De Lai Hainanese Chicken Rice
Chong Pang Market and Food Centre, #01-152, 105 Yishun Ring Road, 760105 Singapore
$ · Street Food

Located at Yishun's Chong Pang Market and Food Centre, Ji De Lai Hainanese Chicken Rice's fare comes in various portions. Set meals are also available and add-ons such as vegetables cooked in oyster sauce, egg, chicken innards, and bean sprouts.

Hoe Kee Kitchen
Jurong West 505 Market & Food Centre, #01-39, Blk 505, Jurong West Street 52, 640505 Singapore
$ · Street Food

In addition to serving char siew and roasted pork rice, the Hainanese chicken rice at Hoe Kee Kitchen is also one of the shop's signature specialties. The chicken here is simply steamed with a bit of seasoning, and it is transformed immediately into a mouthwatering meal. The stall is only open from morning till noon and is known to close once the food runs out, so come early!

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Maxwell Food Centre, #01-10/11, 1 Kadayanallur Street, 069184 Singapore
$ · Street Food

Located in the Maxwell Food Centre, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is a popular Hainanese chicken rice stall has been around since 1987 and is well-known overseas. There is always a long queue, so one can only imagine how enticing the chicken rice here is. The meat is tender and is drizzled with a secret sauce to enhance its umami. Don't forget to enjoy it with the fragrant rice!

People's Park Hainanese Chicken Rice
People's Park Complex Food Centre, #01-1098, 32 New Market Road, 050032 Singapore
$ · Street Food

Located next to the Chinatown MRT Station, the People's Park Complex Food Centre along New Market Road offers a plethora of local delights, and the Hainanese chicken rice here at People's Park Hainanese Chicken Rice is not to be missed. Serving both poached and roasted chicken rice, the latter comes with crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. Definitely worth a try.

Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Tiong Bahru Market, #02-82, 30 Seng Poh Road, 168898 Singapore
$ · Street Food

Located at the Tiong Bahru Market, Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice has been a stalwart chicken rice stall since 1988. The chicken here is on the fattier side, with the skin glistening smooth and the meat cooked tender and juicy. Roasted chicken is an available option. The stall closes once all the chickens are sold out, so it is advised to come early to enjoy it.

Xing Yun Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre, #01-202, Blk 347, Jurong East Avenue 1, Jurong East, 600347 Singapore
$ · Street Food

A popular stall in Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre in Jurong East, Xing Yun Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice prides itself in its chickens' soft and succulent texture, with the rice here served with a lot of aromatic flavours. Enjoy it with the ginger sauce and chilli oil for more flavour. Hot chicken soup is served with every order of chicken rice for diners to try.

Select check-in date
Rates in MYR for 1 night, 1 guest