The Top 10 Best Chicken Rice in Singapore and Google Ratings

Nestled in the vibrant tapestry of Singapore’s food culture is the legendary Hainanese Chicken Rice, a true gastronomic gem and unquestionably the city’s reigning champion in the world of flavors. Picture this: succulent poached chicken so tender it practically melts in your mouth, nestled atop a bed of fragrant rice that whispers tales of culinary finesse.

What sets the best chicken rice apart isn’t just the perfect marriage of juicy meat and aromatic grains, but the unspoken tradition that elevates it to a culinary masterpiece. Unveiling a symphony of tastes with every bite, this isn’t just a meal; it’s a cultural rite, an immersion into the soul of Singapore. Embark on a culinary journey and indulge in the finest chicken rice, where tradition dances with innovation, and every morsel is a celebration of heritage and impeccable taste.

Poached Chicken Rice, Roasted Chicken Rice, or Soya Sauce Chicken Rice?

Poached chicken or colloquially known as white chicken rice 白鸡饭 or universally known as Hainanese chicken rice where the chicken is typically poached in water with ginger, garlic that produces a chicken that is tender flavourful chicken. The Singapore chicken rice has perfected the white poached chicken to be so tender that you can even taste the “collagen jelly” between the skin and chicken meat.

Roasted chicken rice 烧鸡饭 is another popular choice in Singapore, also often associated with Asian countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong. Chicken is marinated and seasoned with spices and herbs, and roasted until its skin is crispy. Yet the meat of the chicken locks in the tenderness and flavours. Roasted chicken has never lost out to its competition the poached chicken.

Soya Sauce Chicken rice is translated directly to oily chicken rice 油鸡饭, due to how it looks. Chicken is stewed in a blend of black soya sauce and spices to a perfect tenderness. Much like poached chicken but with a twist to the cooking style. The glistening dark color of the skin from the soya sauce stew makes one salivate. The perfection of the soya sauce chicken is tough when the sauce is also drizzled on the chicken and rice yet it does not taste of concentrated sodium.

Top 10 Best Chicken Rice Restaurants Singapore

We highlight 10 renown brands of chicken rice in Singapore. These brands are recognized by Singaporeans and tourists alike. They may be a sample of the best chicken rice in Singapore, but definitely not the full representation of the best! Be sure to check out our other offerings for best food options at popular malls!

Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice

Address: 324 Balestier Road, Singapore: 329774

Opening Hours: 10.00 a.m. – 9.30 p.m. (daily)

The balestier outlet is known for its iconic chicken rice at a very affordable price of S$9.80 a set. When ordering Loy Kee Special Set, you can choose either steamed chicken or roasted chicken to be served in the set. The roasted chicken with the crispy skin and tender meat has been complimented more than the steamed. The rice is fragrant with garlic and chicken broth flavors. The vegetables are fresh and prepared in a light soy sauce. Including three components – chili sauce, ginger paste, and dark soy sauce, the dipping sauce at Loy Kee is good enough to provide a kick for the meal.

Public Rating: 4.3/5

Public Reviews:

“Our favourite Chicken Rice place for the last couple decades. The service is always great with the owner actively engaging the customers and the staff always patient and helpful .
The chicken is always tender, juicy and tastes great! The ginger dip enhances the taste significantly. Most importantly, the restaurant looks clean!”

“Almost 20 years since I last patronized this branch outlet of Loy Kee, and it didn’t disappoint me after all these years. Their roast chicken is far ahead in taste and quality against their local competitors. I could still order my usual side orders of chicken liver and gizzards, which most other places have stopped selling probably due to low customer demand.”

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

Address: Maxwell Food Centre, #01-10 (Has numerous other outlets too!)

Opening Hours: 10.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m. (daily)

Nothing fancy, just the best flavours on a modest plate! Nevertheless, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre is celebrated for its delicious chicken rice even earning it a Michelin Bib Gourmand. A location that truly serves the cheapest Michelin dish!

Public Rating: 4.1/5

Public Reviews:

“Although there is always long queue, but they serve the food very quick, so you won’t wait too long to get your food. The chicken meat is very tender and the rice is very tasty, while its price is affordable. It is a good food at an affordable price”

“Fantastic Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore! The queue was pretty long, like 15 to 20mins of waiting, but the wait was totally worth it. The chicken was tender and the rice absorb the sauce of the chicken was full of flavor which was awesome. If you’re able to try the spicy sauce, you definitely have to take it! Would definitely come again for this amazing chicken rice!”

Chatterbox

Address: 333 Orchard Road, Hilton, #05-03

Opening Hours: 11.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m., 5.30 p.m. – 10.30 p.m. (daily)

The year was 1971. The dream was simple, but bold for its time: to bring authentic Singapore hawker food from the city’s streets, and into the comforts of a five-star luxury hotel. This is exactly what chatterbox did, bringing a local favourite and elevating it to fit a fiver-star menu, creating their very own mandarin chicken rice. A must try, even though it is on the pricier side! Check out their menu here.

Public Rating: 4.3/5

Public Reviews:

“Their signature chicken rice is delicious! Rice was not oily at all and deliciously fragrant. Their chicken meat was tender too!”

“Best Chicken rice in Singapore! Be sure to try it out with their signature coconut ice cream!”

Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice

Address: Multiple Outlets Island-wide

Opening Hours: Varies According to Outlets

Wee Nam Kee is known for its home-style hainanese chicken rice that is truly irresistible! The rice at Wee Nam Kee is splendid with each long grain being is well-oiled, mildly fragrant, yet not too greasy. It separates easily into loose grains. Their chilli is also particularly delicious, well-balanced blend of ginger, vinegar and spice – which compensates for the rice and tangy with very little sting.

Public Rating: 3.9/5

Public Reviews:

“Chicken rice (roasted) was good! Chilli was great too. Breast is not very tender. Sambal Kang Kong is slightly sweet but taste good too. Eating in taste better than taking away as the rice gets soft.”

“Most affordable chicken rice, that tastes pretty good also!”

Pow Sing Restaurant

Address: 324 Balestier Road, Singapore 555961

Opening Hours: 10.30 a.m. – 9.30 p.m. (daily)

Pow Sing, located in Serangoon Gardens, is acclaimed for its succulent chicken and fragrant rice! It is a famous spot among locals for its wonderful chicken rice that provides the exact flavours it did 30 years ago!

Public Rating: 3.9/5

Public Reviews:

“Cosy place that’s been there for many many years. Food quality is always good. Love their chicken rice and Tofu. Always up to standard.”

“Chicken is soft and tender, and prices are reasonable. This is one of my highly rated chicken rice shops in Singapore due to the quality of the food here.”

Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle

Address: 78 Smith Street, Singapore 058972

Opening Hours: 10.30 a.m. – 9.30 p.m. (daily)

This Michelin-starred hawker stall, formerly at Chinatown Complex, became famous for its affordable yet excellent chicken rice. Be sure to be early as they sell out really quickly!

Public Rating: 4.3/5

Public Reviews:

“I could eat soya chicken on a weekly basis. It was really fortunate that when we visited this restaurant there was not a long line up. This is a nice outside location with nice contemporary fixtures and practical furniture. Clean and efficient. Prices pretty decent. I came for the chicken not for the barbeque pork or cha siew. The soya color of the chicken skin was tantalizing and the taste was exquisite. I completed my meal with the daily soup which hit the spot.”

Chin Chin Eating House

Address: 19 Purvis Street,

Opening Hours: 11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m., 5.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. (daily)

Be sure to head down to Chin Chin Eating House on Purvis Street, which is one of Singapore’s oldest surviving restaurants for its taste tradition! The first thing you’d notice about Chin Chin Eating House when passing by would be the row of plump birds lined up against the window. The second thing would be the sheer number of diners tucking into plates of chicken rice at every table. As a sign outside helpfully states, it’s one of Singapore’s most famous chicken rice restaurants!

Public Rating: 4.2/5

Public Reviews:

“Great and friendly service by the lady who recommended us dishes and taking our order. Delicious and huge portions. Hainanese steamed chicken is tender and succulent. Goes so well with the chicken rice, chilli sauce, minced ginger and dark soy.”

Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice

Address: Multiple Outlets Island-wide

Opening Hours: Varies According to Outlets

Serving patrons from 1979, Boon Tong Kee is a well-established chain with several branches in Singapore, offering consistently tasty chicken rice. They are known for their succulent meat and fragrant rice that just hits another note on our palates. Be sure to check them out and note that they do not accept reservations!

Public Rating: 3.9/5

Public Reviews:

“Boon Tong Kee is arguably one of Singapore’s most established chicken rice brands. Although it is on the more expensive side, with chicken starting at $8 per serving (excluding rice and service charges), the quality of the food warrants the price!”

Five Star Chicken Rice

Address: Multiple Outlets Island-wide

Opening Hours: Varies According to Outlets

Their signature dish begins with kampung chicken of an uncommon freshness and quality. Chosen then prepared with utmost care, its pure flavours emerge through simple yet masterful slow cooking. Enjoy their unique kampung chicken rice with a selection of home-made sauces, that are sure to impress!

Public Rating: 4.0/5

Public Reviews:

“Another excellent meal at Five Star Kampung. I’ve been there quite a few times and have tried the chicken rice at the outlets in River Valley and Cheong Chin Nam too. All brilliant! I’ve been their fan for the chicken rice for about over 10 years. Although their restaurants themselves are small, the food certainly packs a punch. Food is served fast and efficiently. The service from all the staff is excellent and attentive.”

Google Map’s Best Chicken Rice in Singapore 2023

We have curated from Google Maps the top 50 chicken rice brands in Singapore, so that you don’t have to! The list below shows the top 50 chicken rice with at least 50 reviews and ratings of more than 4.5!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Rice