Singaporeans will certainly be well acquainted with the national dish – Chicken Rice. A combination of steaming hot rice and slices of succulent chicken, this local delight acquires completion when topped off with cucumbers and accompanied by dark soy sauce and chilli sauce. While chicken rice may be well loved by most, not everyone agrees on what constitutes a delicious plate of chicken rice. Some people may place special weight on the tenderness of the chicken; some may take into consideration the fragrance of the rice; some may even prioritize the condiments that complement the dish. Keeping in mind the differences in taste, we have compiled a list of 12 chicken rice stalls we think you really ought to try!

1. Tian Tian Chicken Rice

The winner over Gordon Ramsay in the 2013 Hawker Heroes Challenge, Tian Tian Chicken Rice is one of the most esteemed chicken rice stalls among Singaporeans. At $3.50 a plate, the tender chicken and the aromatic, moist rice combine to form a flavourful dish that is further enhanced by the oyster sauce drizzled over the rice. Don’t say we didn’t warn you though! Be prepared to wait in the queue for at least 15 to 20 minutes during lunch hour. Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street #01-10/11, Singapore 069184 (Image: OpenRice user Chiamhuiy)

2. Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice

If you wish to have a delectable plate of chicken rice in the comforts of an air-conditioned location, then Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice is the right place to go to. Helming over seven branches island wide, this chicken rice shop is well known for its fluffy pyramid-shaped like rice ($0.80) and smooth, soft boiled chicken ($15). For the ravenous, you can also order from an extensive array of Chinese dishes including its signature Crispy Fried Beancurd and Steamed Cod Fish. 399 /401 /403 Balestier Road, Singapore 329801 (Image: OpenSnap user Jescelin Poh)

3. Pow Sing Restaurant

Situated at Serangoon Gardens, Pow Sing Restaurant is acclaimed for its well marinated and smooth Hainanese Chicken ($5/serving) that perfectly fuses with the aromatic rice ($1/serving). Its extensive menu also includes other Chinese fares including Kai Lan with Oyster Sauce and Har Chiong Gai. 63-65 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555961 (Image: OpenRice user iicepetals)

4. Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice

Tucked in a cosy corner at Katong Shopping Centre, the vendors tending Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice are well known for their generosity. Expect free refills of their soup-of-the-day and homemade achar when you purchase a set of chicken rice for just $4.50. However, do take note that the stall, ironically, does not serve boneless chicken unless requested! Katong Shopping Centre, 865 Mountbatten Road #B1-85/87, Singapore 437844 (Image: OpenSnap user Laxanne)

5. Ah-Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice

A potent competitor of renowned Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Ah-Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice is the perfect place to go to for a quick chicken rice fix. Expect a shorter queue as compared to Tian Tian. At Ah-Tai, patrons can look forward to well-seasoned rice coupled with succulent chicken meat, complimentary sauces and bok choy for just $5. Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street #01-07, Singapore 069184 (Image: OpenRice user JingYuan)

6. Golden Mile Thien Kee Steamboat Restaurant

We have all heard of steamboat but what exactly is chicken rice steamboat? Located at Golden Mile Tower, Thien Kee Steamboat Restaurant is a quaint place where families and friends gather together to indulge in piping hot steamboat and traditional Hainanese chicken rice. Similar to the customary Hainanese recipe, the rice is dry fried before it is steamed and then served up on the table with the succulent chicken. Given the authentic flavour of the food, it is no wonder that many people continue to patrol Thien Kee Steamboat Restaurant even till today. Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Road #B1-20, Singapore 199589 (Image: OpenSnap user tian.cheng.22 )

7. Ming Kee Chicken Rice

Prominent for its unconventional method of soaking chicken in ice water, Ming Kee Chicken Rice has, over the years, garnered a devoted crowd of patrons. The ice water that the chicken is submerged in produces a jelly-like layer under the chicken skin that enhances its softness. However, the only gripe that many customers have with Ming Kee is the diluted and watery chilli sauce. Prices start from $3.50 onwards. Kim San Leng Food Centre, Block 511 Bishan Street 13 #01-522, Singapore 570511 (Image: OpenSnap user chubboy)

8. Loy Kee Chicken Rice

Established since 1953, Loy Kee Chicken Rice is recognized as a trademark of Hainanese chicken rice on our sunny shores. Drizzled with chicken essence, its steamed rice is highly praised for being grainy and flavourful, so much so that one can consume it on its own. The chicken is tender and complements well with the three complimentary condiments that the stall offers- ginger, soy sauce and chilli. Prices start from $3.50 onwards. 342 Balestier Road, Singapore 329774 (Image: OpenSnap user Laxanne)

9. Hainanese Delicacy Chicken Rice

The secret to the success of Hainanese Delicacy Chicken Rice stall lies in the way the different elements of the dish fuse together in a seamless harmony. The rice is moist with a tinge of garlic and comes with sauces that enhance its richness. Served separately on its own, the chicken is soaked in chicken broth and placed on top of a layer of fresh cucumbers. Prices start from $4 onwards Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road #05-116, Singapore 228213 (Image: OpenRice user SGFoodonFoot)

10. Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice

When asked about the secret to his success, Wee Toon Oout, the founder of the esteemed Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice explains that he embraces a “motherhood” mentality during the preparation of his food. Just like a piping hot dish that your mother whips up for you, the fluffy rice and tender chicken that make up the famed Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice brims with sincerity. It is no wonder the place is always swarmed with a throng of people! Prices start from $4.80 onwards. United Square, 101 Thomson Road #01-08 Singapore 307591 (Image: OpenRice user Jescelin Poh)

11. Chin Chin Eating House

Sporting a pleasantly humble outlook, Chin Chin Eating House is one of the oldest Hainanese restaurants in Singapore with its chicken rice being a classic favourite among its patrons. The key to its popularity lies in the tenderness of its perfectly sliced chicken that is drizzled with soy sauce and sesame oil. Besides chicken rice, Chin Chin also offers other Chinese-styled fares including its award-winning Hainanese Pork Chop. Prices start from $4. 19 Purvis Street Singapore 188598 (Image: OpenRice user Thomaschan)

12. Yishun 925 Hainanese Chicken Rice

Soaked in light soy sauce and garnished with Parsley leaves and achar, the scrumptious chicken rice at Yishun 925 makes for a gratifying meal. It is not just the chicken that is delectable but the rice is also moist and tastes especially palatable when topped off with the well-balanced chilli sauce! Prices start from $2.80. Block 925 Yishun Central 1 #01-249 Singapore 760925 (Image: OpenRice user cptslowyeo)

Written by Tan Siew Bee