Chicken Rice in Singapore Locals Actually Recommend

Here’s 5 restaurants serving Chicken Rice in Singapore that are actually recommended by Singaporean locals! Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of Singapore’s favorite foods, and they’re literally everywhere. There’s so many places, it can be hard to choose one. Today, we’re sharing some of the top must-try Chicken Rice spots that locals love, from Tian Tian in Maxwell Food Center to Katong Mei Wei Chicken Rice!

Chicken Rice: Singapore’s Favorite Food

We are back in Singapore! This trip to Singapore is particularly meaningful for me. Not only are my best friends coming along, I’m also holding my first ever meet and greet event! Of course, I had to fit in all that tasty hawker center foods that Singapore is so famous for.

One of Singapore’s favorite dishes is Chicken Rice. This simple plate of tender, chopped roasted or poached chicken is served with rice that’s usually infused with chicken broth flavor. Since Chicken Rice is such an iconic dish for Singapore, here are the top five chicken rice spots in Singapore that locals have actually recommend to me.

Hainanese Delicacy 海南美味佳餚 

First stop, we got Hainanese Delicacy 海南美味佳餚. Tucked away on the top floor of Far East Plaza, this family-owned shop has been selling yummy chicken rice for over 30 years. It is one of those no fuss, no frill places that has the classic chicken rice shop setup, with whole chickens hanging on display. The chef works just behind them, diligently chopping chicken on a thick wooden block. Their menu is simple, with various amounts of either roasted or poached chicken, and side dishes like veggies, tofu, and their duck soup.

This hidden gem is a local favorite for a good reason. For just $8, you get chopped chicken, rice, and a bowl of flavorful chicken broth, which we loved. You have the option of roasted or poached chicken, and you can choose between breast or drumstick.

We tried to get the best combination of options, so we chose a roasted drumstick and poached chicken breast. Both options were super super tender. The skin had the perfect bounce, and the meat was so juicy regardless of which option you choose. The roasted chicken also has that extra caramelized flavor in the skin.

Honestly, this place served the best quality chicken of them all. Hainanese Delicacy might just be our new go-to spot. There’s usually a line, especially during the lunch hours. But, the shop is very efficient and the line moves fast. It’s worth the wait!

Nanxiang CHicken Rice 南香雞飯

Second stop, we got Nanxiang Chicken Rice 南香雞飯 at Whampoa Market, which is both a hawker center and a wet market. This stall has been around for decades. In fact, many regulars in the market will tell you that it’s the place that they grew up eating. This tiny hawker stall has a small menu of chicken rice and side dishes like spicy salads and veggies.

Here, you can also choose between roasted and poached chicken. Talk about a good value! For just $4, you get a full plate of chopped poached chicken, and a big plate of their aromatic rice. The chicken was tender, juicy, and so delicious covered in their sweet-savory sauce. Their rice was super fragrant, infused with ginger and scallions in every bite.

In front of the stall is a range of self-serve sauce options to go with your chicken that you CANNOT miss. The chili sauce here is definitely the real star for me. It is so so good, it’s to die for. If you’re after flavor and a great deal, this is your spot!

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice 天天海南雞飯

Next stop, we got the iconic Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice 天天海南雞飯. Serving chicken rice since 1987 in Maxwell Hawker Center, this Michelin-recommended spot might be the most well known chicken rice shop for tourists. Dom and I actually came here together 8 years ago, and fell in love. So we had to come back this time around.

Their chicken is poached to tender perfection. They’re cut into bite-sized slices, topped with cucumber, cilantro, and covered with their signature soy garlic sauce. Alongside the chicken is the flavor-packed rice, cooked in chicken broth and ginger. I genuinely can eat this every single day, especially since it’s only S$5-9 depending on size. Out of all the places we tried, Tinten definitely had the sauciest chicken and the tastiest rice.

Tian Tian is famous for a reason. I would give it a solid TIAN out of ten, and I come back again and again every time we are in Singapore. Just a reminder, Tian Tian is CASH ONLY! Pro tip: Come between 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on a weekday to avoid the super long lines. 

Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice 阿仔海南雞

Also in Maxwell Food Centre, next door to Tian Tian, we got Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice 阿仔海南雞. This is actually our first time trying this chicken rice spot. Fun fact, the owner here was previously the head chef at Tian Tian before branching out on his own. So, it was interesting for us to compare both at once.

Wow, after trying their chicken rice, I totally get the hype. Each plate is piled high with tender, super moist slices of chicken, on top of seasoned riced cooked in broth, The chicken is clean, simple, but yet bursting with flavor. At about $5-7 a plate depending on size, this rice plate is definitely worth the price. Each order comes with a bowl of flavorful broth with that same clean, simple essence of chicken.

Ah Tai’s Chicken Rice ended up being my personal favorite out of all the spots. It was super tasty. Although it was so close to Tian Tian, Ah Tai definitely stands on its own as a top chicken rice spot!

Katong May wei Chicken Rice 加東美味雞飯

Last but not least, we got Katong May wei Chicken Rice 加東美味雞飯. Located in the basement of Katong Shopping Center, this was the most recommended spot by all the locals that we spoke to. Like the other shops, you see rows of whole chicken hanging in the glass window, and the uncle behind it chopping non-stop.

Katong Mei Wei is another spot that serve both roasted and poached chicken, so of course we got both. Their Juicy chicken is served on top of cucumber slices, drizzled with a super fragrant sesame oil sauce. Then, it’s topped with crispy fried garlic. The rice is a beautiful yellow color, completely packed with chicken flavor and that slight ginger heat.

Another great thing about this chicken shop is the complimentary, free flow achar and soup. Their homemade achar is a pickled mix of cucumbers, red onions, and pineapples. It adds just the right amount of sweetness and acid to the rice. There’s also the chicken soup, which is packed with cabbage and carrots. It’s warm and peppery, and just the perfect thing to accompany our rice.

This whole meal feels like a comforting home-cooked food. It is definitely another chicken rice that I could eat every single day. I can definitely see why its the local’s top pick!

What is your go-to chicken rice spot in Singapore?