If you chance upon Chakey's Serangoon Salt Baked Chicken along East Coast Road, you might not give this nondescript shop a second glance, let alone believe it sells the best Salt-Baked Chicken in Singapore.
Founded in 1962 as Heong Kee Salt-baked Chicken, the family-run shop had two outlets then, at Upper Cross Street and Serangoon Road – which explains its Mandarin name, 后港盐鸡焗 (Serangoon Salt-Baked Chicken).
And upon stepping in, we were warmly greeted by Mr Richard Chak, the 3rd generation of the family to learn the unique recipe of Chakey's Serangoon Salt Baked Chicken.
Served piping hot, the Salt-Baked Chicken comes wrapped in baking paper and unravels to reveal a wholesome-looking chicken surrounded by a flavourful sauce, best enjoyed with a bowl of rice.
Prior to that, the chicken is baked for an hour in parchment paper and under a heap of salt at a specific temperature. Without wasting any time, its sauce is made during the same process when the heat from the salt penetrates through the parchment paper to blend in with a special seasoning of rich Chinese herbs, ginseng and spices. This then infuses into the chicken, thus bringing out the full essence of this unique taste.
Contrary to popular belief, Salt-Baked Chicken is not overwhelming salty, but instead perfect as no rock salt comes in direct contact with the chicken.
Although the stall only allows takeaways, its convenient location by the main road lets you drive up to their shopfront, where you can wind down the car window and shout your order across. Within minutes, you’ll be back on the road, bringing home a delicious Salt-Baked Chicken, which makes a perfect dish for family dinner and gatherings!
And if there are any leftovers, try making a Salt-Baked Chicken Sandwich for breakfast!
Chakey’s Serangoon Salt-Baked Chicken is sold in three sizes: Small ($17.50), Medium ($18.50) and Large ($19.50).
Chakey's Serangoon Salt Baked Chicken
1st Branch: 97 East Coast Road S428794 (Katong)
2nd Branch: 1383 Serangoon Road S328254 (Potong Pasir)
Delivery services are provided for areas within 5km distance from their Katong outlet, at a cost of $5.
Written by Andrea Tan
Images: Andrea Tan