#4 Chicken Rice

Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice

Tiong Bahru Market, #02-82

Hainanese Steamed Michelin Bib Gourmand Est. 1988
86
Certified
Shiok
Google 4.1★

About

Tiong Bahru Boneless has been operating since 1988 on the second floor of Tiong Bahru Market. The stall holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand (continuously since 2016) and regularly turns up on best-of lists. Owner Cheong Weng Wah learned his technique from a friend who worked at Mandarin Hotel.

The rice has a subtle golden tint from turmeric, with a clean chicken fat fragrance. The chicken is served boneless, and the ice-bath technique produces a thick gelatinous layer under the skin that is the stall's calling card. The chilli is decent but not the highlight here. A plate starts at $4.50, still one of the more affordable Bib Gourmand meals in Singapore.

Closed Mondays. The market itself is a popular weekend brunch spot, so expect longer waits on Saturdays. Go before 11:30am for the best selection.

ShiokScore Breakdown

Scored across 5 dimensions specific to chicken rice. Learn what each means →

Rice Fragrance 90

Aroma and flavour of the rice. Pandan leaf, chicken fat, garlic oil. Should smell before you taste.

Chicken Texture 87

Between silky and dry. The collagen 'jelly' layer under the skin is a sign of quality, not a defect.

Chilli Quality 78

Every stall's secret weapon. Ginger-forward vs lime-forward vs garlic-heavy. Balance of heat, acid, and flavour.

Sauce Balance 82

Dark soy sauce sweetness, ginger paste sharpness, and how they complement the chicken and rice together.

Portion Value 92

Amount of chicken relative to price, rice quantity, and overall value compared to hawker norms.

Style: Hainanese Steamed

The original. Chicken poached in aromatic stock then ice-bathed for silky texture. Subtle, clean flavour. The jelly layer under the skin is the hallmark.