A post from Lifespiker, Christian808 (aka The Hungry Samurai). 

Hai Nan Gee Fun…ok so i dont know how to spell it and i dont really know what that means. When i say it to any person of Chinese origin - they laugh. When they have finally stopped laughing at my expense. The penny drops " ahhh you want chicken lice"…close " chicken rice"… bingo !!!

What is chicken rice…well if you have every been to an asian hawker center you are bound to find a chicken rice stall. Properly referred to as Hainanese chicken rice. Chicken rice was invented by immigrants from Hainan in China. Therefore where you find the Hainanese in Asia, you will find Chicken rice stall nearby.

Chicken rice is rice cooked in chicken stock, served with steamed or roasted chicken. The remaining chicken stock from the rice is often used to make the soup. The soup becomes the appetizer and sliced cucumber is sometimes added to the chicken dish. Red garlic chili, pounded ginger and a thick soy sauce is added to flavor up the dish.

OK so it sounds simple huh. But you would be amazed how many places stuff it up. The best chicken rice stall will nail all components… the chilli, tender chicken and not to oily,but tasty rice. For the novice…its important to know that there are a few different variations of chicken rice :

1. Ipoh Chicken rice - found in the Malaysian town of Ipoh. This some damn good chicken rice and served with bean sprouts.

2. Malacca Chicken rice - is served with rice balls rather than a bowl of rice…also known as "chicken rice balls"

3. Singapore Hainanese Chicken rice

Now its of paramount importance that when you eat chicken rice..you need to get all the ingredients in one mouthful. The chilli, the soy, the rice and the chicken. Once you master this… and you haven’t spilled too much rice and chilli over your shirt. You will be hooked on chicken rice forever. You might even start having dreams about Chicken rice – like me! (mine include dining with Pamela Anderson in a bikini aswell though)

Wheres the best chicken rice ?… i have gotten into a dust up with a 90 year old lady over this (I would have won too if I had a metal walker). Everyone has there favorites. My top 3 in Singapore is…(drum roll please)1. Wee Nam Kee - Thompson road, opposite Novina church. This is sooo good and cheap 2. Boon Tong Kee - River Valley road (you can drop my name there). Great chicken rice- little more upmarket. Goes well with some lettuce and oyster sauce. Wash it down with some barley juice. 3. Chicken rice stall in Amoy street. Just look for the queue at lunch time.

So when you want to makan(eat) in Asia and your looking for some tasty grub ! Go for some Chicken Rice lah - you wont be disappointed.

Stay tuned for my next hot post, the topic - Kaya Toast. That stuffs addictive.

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