When it comes to popular preparations of chicken, poached and roasted chicken associated with the national dish, chicken rice, are what would come to mind. In the middle of the Venn diagram between them sits soy sauce chicken. The preparation depends on using umami-rich soya sauce to stand in for the caramelisation brought about through roasting while the braising method ensures that the chicken remains tender and succulent.
And in case you didn’t hear, the famous soya sauce chicken eatery Lee Fun Nam Kee recently announced that they had to shutter the business as it had been on the decline. That prompted us to look for other hawker stalls and eateries that could satisfy our love for this umami-rich protein. Here are 10 places to get the best soya sauce chicken in Singapore:
1. Liao Fan Hawker Chan
We can’t talk about soya sauce chicken without mentioning Liao Fan Hawker Chan. It was founded by chef Chan Hon Meng in 2009 and skyrocketed in fame after it was awarded a Michelin star in 2016. Since then, the brand has grown out of its Chinatown Complex hawker stall to multiple spots in and out of Singapore. Enjoy the savoury chicken with rice, egg noodles or hor fun and add roast meats as well.
Liao Fan Hawker Chan has multiple locations in Singapore
2. Hai Kee Soy Sauce Chicken
Hai Kee Soy Sauce Chicken was founded in 1959 by Hainanese immigrant Wong Si Han with their first location at Upper Cross Street. Now, the brand is helmed by third-generation owners boasting 14 outlets in Singapore. The Signature Soy Chicken is accompanied by egg noodles or rice, with char siew being a popular addition too.
Hai Kee Soy Sauce Chicken has multiple locations in Singapore
3. Original Chew Kee Eating House
Founded in 1949, Chew Kee Soy Sauce Chicken touts to be the pioneer championing this umami dish. It was founded by Beng Chew and is now in the hands of grandson Thomas Ho. Have the soya sauce chicken with rice, hor fun or egg noodles and wash it down with an added bowl of pork dumpling soup. PS: You can order the Traditional Braised Sauce on their Lazada storefront and whip up your own meal at home.
Original Chew Kee Eating House is at 8 Upper Cross St, Singapore 058327.
4. Chiew Kee Noodle House
A few steps down from Chew Kee is Chiew Kee Noodle House. Chiew Kee was also founded in 1949 and the family business is led by third-generation owner Rudy. The brand prides itself on still using the age-tested recipe consisting of 11 ingredients to make its star dish, which comes with rice, hor fun or egg noodles. And if the similarities aren’t enough, they offer dumpling soup too.
Chiew Kee Noodle House is at 30 Upper Cross St, Singapore 058336.
5. Xiang Jiang Soya Sauce Chicken
Wanting to abide by his expertise, Fung Shu Sun left Raffles Hotel to start Xiang Jian Soya Sauce Chicken in 2003. The move paid off as the hawker store helmed by him and his wife has since gotten the Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. Despite the inconvenient location, the hawker stall still receives long lines of people waiting for a taste of his creations. Get it with thin egg noodles, mee pok, hor fun or rice as well as a side of wontons.
Xiang Jiang Soya Sauce Chicken is at 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-77, Alexandra Village Food Centre, Singapore 150120.
6. Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken
Jostling for your attention amidst the food mecca Chinatown Complex is Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken. The owner, Maria Siew, is said to be the teacher of Chan Hon Meng of Liao Fan Hawker Chan fame. The recipe came from her father who used to own the now-defunct Lam Thong Tea House. Instead of plain rice, chicken rice is served here as well as egg noodles. Braised tofu and bean sprouts are also available to make it a complete meal.
Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken is at 335 Smith St, #02-189 Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335.
7. SG Soya Sauce Chicken Rice
Located in Telok Blangah Rise Food Centre, SG Soya Sauce Chicken Rice isn’t the most convenient hawker stall to get to for soya sauce chicken. Yet, the trip is said to be worth it among devotees who hanker for the tender, flavoursome chicken. Rice, egg noodles and porridge are carbohydrate options to supplement the protein.
SG Soya Sauce Chicken Rice is at 36 Telok Blangah Rise, Telok Blangah Rise Market & Food Centre, Singapore 090036.
8. Yit Lim Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle
Yit Lim used to be located at Telok Blangah Crescent before moving to its updated location along Bendemeer Road. The popular stall is easy to spot with the long lines as people stand in line to get soya sauce chicken with egg noodles or rice. Wonton dumplings, roasted pork and char siew are also offered here.
Yit Lim Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle is at 29 Bendemeer Rd, #01-73, Singapore 330029.
9. Sheng Ji Soya Sauce Chicken Rice/Noodle
Sheng Ji sits steps away from Geylang Bahru MRT and has been touted as a well-kept secret among soya sauce chicken fans. Like other entrants on this list, the hawker stall, which was founded by Mrs See and her husband over four decades ago, offers chicken with rice, horfun or egg noodles. The wonton dumplings are also popular, so don’t miss out on them.
69 Geylang Bahru, #01-13 Geylang Bahru Market and Food Centre, Singapore 330069
10. Fatty Ox HK Kitchen
Fatty Ox HK Kitchen is another contender located in Chinatown Complex vying for the title of the best soya sauce chicken. While the brand is most known for its braised beef brisket and tendon noodles, many customers return for their soya sauce chicken (and various roasted proteins) too. The brand can trace its roots back to 1986 when Hong Kong-born hawker Cheung Sun Kwai started his first hawker stall at the nearby Pagoda Street.
335 Smith St, #02-84 Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335