So where is the best chicken rice in Singapore?
January 23, 2015 | 2,513 viewsThis article was first published in The Malay Mail. Click HERE to read it.
The poached chicken served at Boon Tong Kee appears to be fatter, more succulent and presentable, but yet lacking in flavour compared to the other two
Do you recall — I am sure most foodies are still able to — the “battle” between Malaysia and Singapore a few years back over who “owns” certain hawker food?
It sure placed hawker favourites like chicken rice, laksa and satay on the world food map, which probably was the only blessing in disguise resulting from this fiasco.
But I shall not fan the flames here and let bygones be bygones.
That being said, allow me to revisit some of the points of argument, in particular on Hainanese chicken rice which can be a relatively touchy subject since both countries have stuck their necks out by staking claims over the origin of this seemingly humble one-plate ensemble fit for any meal of the day.
Being a Hainanese myself, and coming from a lineage of fine cooks — my late grandfather worked as a cook for the British during pre-Merdeka days and subsequently started his own chicken rice stall business in Ipoh — I have grown up eating chicken rice from possibly all corners of Ipoh. Read the rest of this entry »
