Chicken rice dishes are popular the world over for their combined simplicity and high comfort-food factor, and in Hong Kong, the preferred chicken rice recipe is undoubtedly Hainanese chicken rice, featuring poached chicken, seasoned rice, a bowl of broth rich in chicken fat, and a traditional trio of condiments: chilli sauce, ginger sauce, and dark soy sauce.
Though Hainanese chicken rice is considered one of the national dishes of Singapore, it’s said to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Hainan. It’s also a cherished dish in neighbouring Malaysia. Whatever the dish’s true origin, those in the the Hong Kong know can’t get enough Hainanese chicken rice, so we’ve rounded up the top spots serving up this beloved Southeast Asian recipe.
Hong Kong’s top spots for Hainanese chicken rice
Chatterbox Café
Revered for its iconic deboned chicken rice, Chatterbox Café first made its appearance in 1971 at Singapore’s five-star Mandarin Orchard hotel on the island city state’s buzziest shopping street as a 24-hour coffee shop. The menu featured local hawker favourites served in a very refined setting. The star there was – and still is, at both the Singapore and Hong Kong locations – the Mandarin chicken rice (HKD138), which is probably the cleanest, least oily version we’ve tried. The meat remains succulent even though most of the chicken fat has been skimmed off, and the rice is cooked with chicken broth instead of the traditional chicken fat.
Chatterbox Café, multiple locations across Hong Kong
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Tian Tian made its grand debut in Hong Kong in 2019 as an outpost of the famed Singapore Michelin-recommended chicken rice hawker stall, and the queues haven’t let up since. Tian Tian’s plate of Hainanese chicken rice (HKD189) features tenderly poached chicken alongside a mound of fluffy, plump rice glistening with chicken fat. Even better for us though is the brand’s roasted chicken rice (HKD199). Shell out just HKD10 more and you’ll be graced with the same fragrant rice and flavourful, silky chicken – but this time with golden, crispy skin.
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, multiple locations across Hong Kong
Café Causette
In our not-so-humble opinion, the coveted title of most luxurious Hainanese chicken rice in Hong Kong goes to the succulent bird at Café Causette at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, proving that time-honoured tradition reigns supreme. This eatery started serving its Hainan chicken rice (HKD368) back in 1994, and it has remained one of the establishment’s best-selling dishes ever since. The kitchen team treat the chicken with plenty of TLC, turning the chook every 20 minutes in its poaching liquid. The rice is infused with lemongrass, chicken fat, ginger, and homemade secret seasonings. With such a high price tag, this chicken rice is definitely a treat – but well worth it.
Café Causette, M/F, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, 2825 4005, book here
Auntie MALAY
The Malaysian variety of Hainanese chicken rice is often referred to as nasi ayam (literally “chicken rice” in the Malay language) and is often served with plain steamed rice rather than the seasoned variety. At Harbour City’s contemporary Malaysian restaurant Auntie MALAY, the signature Hainan chicken (HKD188) is fresh, fragrant, and generous in portion. The accompanying chicken broth is more soothing than most. You can also get Auntie MALAY’s Hainanese chicken rice as part of a dinner set for one (HKD128), which comes with an appetiser and hot or iced drink.
Auntie MALAY, Shop 16, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2110 3533, book here
Grand Café
Another top spot for chicken rice housed within a luxury hotel, the Hainanese chicken rice (HKD335) is THE signature dish on the menu of the Grand Hyatt’s all-day-dining restaurant Grand Café, where hanging whole poached yellow chickens are on display for all to see. The chicken, rice, and broth are immaculate, with the silky, tender chicken itself showcasing a pleasantly firm skin. Also available on Grand Hyatt’s eShop for takeaway is the hotel’s viral Hainanese chicken rice cake (HKD488/HKD688/HKD988), a unique celebratory treat if there ever was one.
Grand Café, G/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, 2584 7722, book here
Café Malacca
A fuss-free hotel-based option, Café Malacca at JEN hotel in Shek Tong Tsui is a reliable favourite for authentic Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine. Café Malacca’s Hainanese chicken rice (HKD148) features juicy, tender chicken and aromatic rice, and the price point is more reasonable than many others on our list. To go with your plate of quality chicken rice, we recommend hawker-style eats like the fried carrot cake with prawn (HKD118) and Penang rojak (HKD108).
Café Malacca, 2/F, JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-La, 580 Queen’s Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, 2213 6613, book here
Yung Kee Hainan Chicken
Yung Kee has two branches in Hong Kong – one on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon – and both are humble spots dishing out excellent Hainanese chicken rice that’s priced at a staggering HKD55. The chef-founder is said to have previously worked at the Grand Hyatt (see Grand Café above), so he’s taken this expert knowledge to successfully branch out on his own. The side soup at Yung Kee is a heady coconut chicken soup with thick slices of fresh coconut. If your taste buds permit, you can opt for the spicy chicken rice (HKD55) instead, and it’s HKD5 to upgrade from steamed rice to seasoned rice infused with chicken fat.
Yung Kee Hainan Chicken, G/F, Kong Ling Building, 102 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, 5500 4556
Yung Kee Hainan Chicken, Shop 29L, G/F, Loong King Mansion, 23–35H Ma Tau Wai Road, Hung Hom, 5500 4522
Mandarin Chicken Rice (Singapore)
The brackets of this restaurant’s name are confusing as it’s based in Hong Kong, not the Lion City. Still, this Singapore-inspired chicken rice joint is as legit as it gets in the city. Mandarin Chicken Rice’s Hainanese chicken rice (HKD102) comes in both steamed and roasted versions, with the flavourful seasoned rice particularly sought after here. We suggest adding on a side of bak kut teh (+HKD12), a traditional herbal soup made with pork rib, to complete your Straits-style feast.
Mandarin Chicken Rice (Singapore), G/F, Ching Wo Building, 17 Chung Wui Street, Tai Kok Tsui, 2301 4266
