Immigrants from China’s Hainan Island brought chicken rice to Singapore many decades ago, and in the years since then it has become a national icon! It comprises poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth with ginger and garlic, accompanied by a zesty chilli-lime sauce, a pungent ginger puree, and thick black soy sauce. Aficionados may argue for hours over which stall has the most silky-textured meat, the most sumptuous rice, or the most incendiary chili.

Cantonese and Malay hawkers have adopted the dish too, making subtly different versions with different spices and also fried or roasted chicken. However, the glorious combination of grainy, aromatic rice, tender meat, and vibrant condiments remains constant. The fun comes in trying all the diverse variations to find your favourite! 

Highly Recommended

• Boon Tong Kee
  One of the few places where you get both good chicken and good rice. The chicken, which is cooked more in the Cantonese than the Hainanese style, is tender and juicy while the rice is very fragrant.
  Address 425 River Valley Road, Tel: (65) 67363213 
  
  
• Yet Con
  Chicken rice with a pedigree – it has been served at this very traditional Hainanese restaurant for decades. Try the great roast pork as well.
  Address 25 Purvis Street, Tel: (65) 63376819 

• Long Kee Chicken Rice
  One of many good stalls in this popular hawker centre. The aromatic, shiny rice is very addictive.  
  Address #02-25 Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, Block 531A Upper Cross Street