Claypot Chicken Rice is a beloved staple of Singaporean street food, with its roots in Chinese cuisine. The dish's unique preparation method in clay pots imparts a distinct smoky flavor and creates a crispy rice crust at the bottom. Key ingredients include chicken pieces marinated with soy sauce, ginger, and Chinese five-spice powder, fragrant jasmine rice, and aromatic elements like Chinese sausage, mushrooms, and salted fish.
The traditional cooking process involves placing the claypot directly over a flame or heating element, infusing the dish with a smoky essence, and yielding the highly sought-after crispy rice layer at the base. Savories like dark soy sauce are used to add depth and variety to the flavors, and chili sauce can be optional for those who crave a spicy kick. Garnishes like fresh cilantro, sliced scallions, and fried shallots enhance the dish's aesthetics and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory flavors.
Recommendations on where to enjoy the best Claypot Chicken Rice in Singapore include renowned hawker centers, local restaurants, and food courts.
1. Yew Chuan Claypot Rice 酉川沙煲饭
Yew Chuan Claypot Rice, also known as 酉川沙煲饭, is a specialty hawker stall known for its Claypot Chicken Rice. The stall offers various sizes of claypot rice, priced between $12 and $30, catering to different appetites and budgets. The restaurant's commitment to preserving traditional cooking methods, including meticulous preparation over a charcoal stove, adds an authentic touch to the dining experience. Dark soy sauce and oil are available on the side, allowing customers to customize their meals. The dish features chicken, salted fish, lup cheong (Chinese sausage), yun cheong (Chinese liver sausage), and vegetables. The boneless chicken thigh is the standout dish, expertly cooked to perfection, providing a tender and succulent texture.
Address: 505 Beach Road, #01-73 Golden Mile Food Centre, 199583
Opening Hours: Tues, Wed, Fri and Sun - 12pm - 8pm
Sat - 12pm - 8.30pm
2. NanXing Claypot Rice
NanXing Claypot Rice is the oldest and earliest claypot rice shop in Circuit Road Market & Food Centre, near Mattar and Macpherson MRT stations. The shop offers Claypot Chicken Rice, featuring boneless chicken, vegetables, lup cheong, and salted fish. The rice is cooked on a gas stove and charcoal stove for crispy bottom. The luncheon meat with egg dish features numerous cubes, veggies, and an egg. Although the egg is cooked, it remains runny due to the claypot rice's nature. The claypot version is tasty and well worth the price.
Address: Circuit Road Hawker Centre, 79 Circuit Rd, #01-11, Singapore 370079
Opening Hours: 12 pm - 7.30 pm, Closed on Wednesday
3. Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice 源源砂煲饭
Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice in Bukit Batok is a popular choice for those who enjoy claypot chicken rice. The dish consists of tender chicken, salted fish, lup cheong, and vegetables on fluffy rice. The restaurant follows traditional methods, starting with the signature claypot chicken rice cooked on a charcoal stove, resulting in a delightful smoky flavor. Yuan Yuan is known for its commitment to freshness, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor and goodness. However, the homemade secret sauce, which was high on expectations, fell short of impressing the taste buds, leaving the dish with a lackluster flavor profile.
Address: Mei De 美德 Coffeeshop, 273 Bukit Batok East Ave 4, Singapore 650273
Opening Hours: 11 am - 9 pm
4. New Lucky Claypot Rice 新鸿运瓦煲饭
New Lucky Claypot Rice, listed in the Michelin guide, is a restaurant that serves chicken claypot rice cooked to order. The dish is smoky and has a distinct flavor. Upon arrival, the dish features tender chicken but lacks the usual Chinese sausage and salted fish. The hawker stall offers condiments like dark soya sauce and oil for customization. However, the rice is overcooked and mushy, detracting from the meal. Despite the hawker stall's extensive coverage, the experience fell short of the high expectations built up by the customer. The hawker stall's success is attributed to the chef's skillful preparation over a charcoal stove.
Address: 44 Holland Dr, #02-19, Holland Drive Market & Food Center, 270044
Opening Hours: 10:30 am–12:30 pm, 5 pm – 7:30 pm
Closed on Wednesday
5. Broadway Claypot Rice (百樂匯砂煲飯)
Broadway Claypot Rice, a small restaurant in Ang Mo Kio, has been serving delicious claypot rice for over 30 days. The dish is a perfect balance between moisture and texture, with a perfect crust on the sides and bottom. The dish is accompanied by dark soy sauce, dried salted fish, chicken, and Chinese sausages. The crispy bits, known as "guo ba" or "golden crust," add a crunch and smoky taste to the tender rice. The restaurant has a long wait for tables, but the perfect balance between moisture and texture makes it a popular choice for those who enjoy the experience.
Address: 531 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, Singapore 560531
6. Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice 联合本记煲饭
Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice, a popular eatery in Chinatown Complex, has been included in the Michelin guide for its traditional claypot rice preparation method. The dish is cooked in clay pots over charcoal stoves, imparting a unique smoky aroma and flavor to the rice and chicken. The crispy rice crust at the bottom of the pot adds texture to the dish. While the claypot rice contains tender chicken, most servings come with bones that may require some effort to eat. The hawker stall's reputation for excellence in claypot rice cooking is well-deserved.
Address: 335 Smith St, #02-198/199, Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: 4:30–10:30 pm, Closed on Monday and Thursday
7. Sembawang Claypot Rice
Sembawang Claypot Rice is a popular restaurant located in the Food Republic at NEX Singapore. The restaurant's lively atmosphere and commitment to tradition make it a standout. Each dish is prepared over a charcoal stove, a time-honored method that imparts a unique and recognizable flavor. This authentic touch elevates the dining experience and adds an authentic touch to the dishes. The dish is filled with generous portions of large chicken pieces, luo cheong, salted fish, and fresh vegetables. The rice, mixed with a rich sauce and fragrant oil, promises an explosion of flavors with every bite. The charred layer at the bottom of the pot is a testament to their impeccable cooking technique. However, if a personal preference is offered, boneless chicken is recommended as traditional chicken pieces can be challenging to navigate. Overall, Sembawang Claypot Rice is a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and authentic dining experience.
Address: NEX, 23 Serangoon Central, #B2 - 63 to 66, Singapore 556083
Opening Hours: 10 am - 10 pm
8. Geylang Claypot Rice 芽笼砂煲饭
Geylang Claypot Rice, located on Beach Road, has moved to a spacious shophouse with air-conditioning. The restaurant's unique dish combines succulent chicken, flavorful pork belly, and delectable salted fish, providing a meaty and savory flavor. The salted fish adds umami, enhancing the overall taste. Dark soy sauce can be added for a delightful medley. The claypot rice is cooked over a charcoal stove, imparting a distinct smoky flavor, and adding complexity and depth to the flavors. The rice is not mushy but perfectly separated, enhancing the dining experience.
Address: 361, 363, 365 Beach Rd, 199576
Opening Hours: 12 pm – 2:30 pm, 5 pm – 10 pm
9. Traditional Claypot rice
Toa Payoh Lorong 5 Food Centre offers traditional Claypot rice, a signature dish made with chicken, salted fish, Chinese sausage, and vegetables. The chicken is tender and served with oil and dark sauce. The dish requires slow cooking over a charcoal burner, imparting a unique flavor. Open at 5:30 p.m., the stall has a busy evening crowd, so reservations are recommended. The restaurant is located near Toa Payoh or Braddell and is a must-try for locals.
Address: Blk 75 Food Centre, 75 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh #01-32, 310075
Opening Hours: 5.30pm - 11pm
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