Top 3 Picks for Hainanese Chicken Rice
A staple in Asian cuisine, Hainanese chicken rice is familiar to many diners in Hong Kong. Check out these spots in town to satisfy your crave for some comforting chicken and rice this summer.
Hainanese Chicken Rice at New Bangkok
What’s in it?
Rice with sautéed boneless chicken slices and specially made chilly sauce
What’s so special?
The sautéed chicken tastes great that you’d expect larger portions. The oiliness of the meat is tempered by fresh slices of cucumber and tomato. Rice is a little bit mushy and what’s the highlight really, is the delicious dip – it’s a complex flavor mixture of sweet and chilly with a bit of lime juice and ginger.
Why we love it?
This Thai take on Hainanese chicken rice is satisfying and it’s at a good price. Our pick of seating would be by the window so that you can enjoy the bar scene downstairs while immersing yourself in the Thai style ambience of the restaurant.
Nasi Hainan Ayam at Indonesian Restaurant 1968
What’s in it?
Coconut rice with boneless chicken, fresh herbs tossing over the top, ginger paste and sweet soy sauce
What’s so special?
Expect a strong flavor of coconut from the rice. Instead of having the rice cooked in solely chicken broth, as Hudson – the director of the restaurant – reveals, Indonesian coconut milk is used to prepare it.
The boneless chicken is marinated with Indonesian herbs and the slices are tender when served. Don’t forget to dip the chicken in Indonesian sweet soy sauce for the authentic style of eating.
As tremendous time and effort needed to put into preparation (apparently the cooking time requires 2 to 3 hours, as Hudson says), this dish is only in limited production for lunch and dinner! You might need a bit of luck for this must-try dish before it’s sold out!
Why we love it?
Food presentation is just as important as the taste of the dish. The rice is shaped into a cone and the herbs garnish the dish nicely. Enjoying this chicken rice in a dim environment while enjoying relaxed music and the soothing smell of fragrance in the air – everything combines to give a chilling vacation vibe.
Address: 139 Queens Road Central, 5f The L. Place, Central
Opening hours:
Daily 12pm – 11:30pm (last order 10:30pm), Lunch 11:30am – 3pm
Hainan Ayam at Café Malacca
What’s in it?
Tender boiled free-range chicken meat and flavoured rice, complemented with three different dipping sauces – ginger paste, chilli sauce, and dark soy sauce
What’s so special?
The bite-size chicken pieces are warm when served, and when even the chicken breast part doesn’t come out dry and chewy but instead is tasty and moist you’d know the dish is spot-on. It goes without saying that the dipping sauces, especially the tantalizing ginger puree, enhance the flavor further and make each mouthful of rice and chicken richer in taste.
Why we love it?
It’s a pleasant experience to enjoy this signature hawker dish in a restaurant with clean modern lines and neutral tones of lights, located inside a decent hotel. Get your Malaysian fix here and give your taste buds a real treat!
Address: 5/F, The L Place, 139 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Opening hours
Mon – Sun 6am – 11pm
As a photographer, Stephanie believes natural wonders are great teachers and is constantly learning from local people with different backgrounds. With a BSc degree in Psychology and MSc Double degree in Global Media and Communications, she loves looking for the new and the adventurous, never settles.
