The Singapore trip last month was a revelation of how really good Singaporeans make their Hainanese Chicken Rice. There’s a whole gamut of which restaurants to go to for the best one. Even if you eat HCR from a hawker stall, it’s almost as good as any –only an irrelevant degree of difference in taste (plus the contention on preparation, hygiene, and venue ambience).
Boon Tong Kee
Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice
Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Where to get the best is still up for a big debate whether it’s from a simple chicken rice hawker or from a fancy restaurant. Makansutra rates Tian Tian Chicken Rice as their number 1 but other names also come on top -Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice, Wee Nam Kee, Boon Tong Kee… I tried all of the mentioned except for Wee Nam Kee. It’s really hard to pick a favorite.
In Singapore, it is. In Manila, there’s one name that’s on the top of my head when asked for the best Hainanese Chicken Rice. Stevie Villacin.
On the Table
Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice Set (P950/set, with olive rice P1,100/set)
There’s been a buzz around town about Stevie’s Hainanese style of steamed chicken served with chicken stock flavored rice. He sells it for P950 a set that can serve a hungry bunch of 3-4 people. The set comes with the foiled tray of steamed chicken, a smaller foiled tray of flagrant rice and the usual trio of condiments: semi-thick sweetened soy sauce, chili and minced ginger sauce.
Wait, there’s more. Stevie also provides an additional topping sauce in case you have leftovers (which I seriously doubt) or plans to reheat the chicken. He also gives you a detailed instruction on how to reheat the chicken meat. The “topping sauce” keeps it moist while reheating but you have to be careful not to overheat it because it will result to dry and tough chicken.
My attempt on “quick plating”
Suffused in its natural chicken juice/broth, the chicken meat was very tender and delectable –quite tasty for what can be considered a “healthy food.” The exquisite and juicy flesh of the steamed chicken is finely balanced with the fragrant rice sprinkled with green onions.
Add a splotch of color and taste by blending in the ginger in sesame oil, chili and sweetened soy sauce.
Ooh, the appetizing smell and pleasant gingerly-sesame light taste mixed with a touch of soy and red spice… makes you definitely bite off more than you can chew.
Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice (For pick-up orders only)
21 Libra St. Bel Air,
Makati City
(0906) 508 4155
—
I’m so itching to try this!
this makes me drool 🙂 been looking for yummy hainanese chicken rice here in manila.. i miss those forom singapore. aww.
We enjoyed Stevie’s too at the office! We should really have Stevie’s once in a while and people should try it. We love it! <3
yay! u were able to satisfy na your hcr cravings! tsk that plurk thread! made me drool that day haha! 😛
@Manila Girl,
Go ahead and try it! 🙂 Just this morning I was craving again for Stevie’s… 🙂
@Maki,
Hello Maki!!! I envy your Macau pics!!! 🙂 Ours when we went in August 2008 was blah haha.
Yea, I read in Pat’s blog about Stevie’s at the office. Super yummy! and I super agree that we should have it every other week haha… 😀
HCR Addict,
Janey
@u8mypinkcookies,
I know right? In Singapore, every corner you can get a good one 🙂 In Manila, boink.
I wish Stevie puts up a HCR resto so we can our fixing anytime we want haha 😀
HCR wishful thinking,
Janey
@dyanie,
that plurk thread was really torture!!! Imagine, everyone talking about Hainanese Chicken Rice and posting photos and stuff…. drooling all over my keyboards! Haha 😀
You should try it dear!
oh you tried it na rin!!
haha. Its so so good right? To die for.
hey Patty!!! Yep yep, we’ve tried it here also in the office…. with our COO! hahaha… a bit of uncomfortable lunch at first coz I feel displaced with our division head and the COO but it was okay towards the end… i still enjoyed my meal tremendously! 😀
Thanks to your entry that pushed me to order and convince my officemates too.
I was fortunate to have tasted Stevie’s Hainanese chicken rice when I was in the Philippines. It is quite simply the meal I was most excited about in Manila.
Hi Veron! 🙂
I’m once again craving for Stevie’s… good right? 🙂 Remember to order it again when you’re in town! 🙂
HCR fanatic,
Jane
LookOut for The Original Chicken Rice from Singapore at Ayala Triangle!! Opening October 2010!