One of Singapore’s most beloved comfort foods, Hainanese Curry Rice is basically a plate of rice, accompanied by dishes, and generously slathered with gloopy curry and braised sauce.
It is said to have its humble beginnings during the British colonial rule, when many Hainanese were employed by British and Peranakan families. Some iconic dishes that came out of this time include the crispy pork cutlet, curry chicken, braised pork belly, stewed pork trotters and braised cabbage.
Hainanese curries are also typically lighter, sweeter and not as spicy compared to other strong curries. Typically messy with the splashes of sauces and gravies, the lovely chaos might not be very Instagrammable, but it is the trademark of an authentic plate of Hainanese Curry Rice. Here are some of the most popular places where you can get your fix!
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China Street Hainanese Curry Rice
The Hainanese Curry Rice at Maxwell Food Centre draws in large crowds during lunch hour, and items get sold out well before their closing time. The curry here is less starchy and more watery than the usual Hainanese curry, and its pork chop is more pork crisp than it is a pork chop. But everything is incredibly well-seasoned and harmonious, you just need some cabbage and a fried egg to complete the meal!
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-68 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice (Tiong Bahru)
Operating since 1946, Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice is a favourite for many families across generations. Each batch of curry here is prepared over the course of several days, and the result is a smooth, creamy and aromatic curry with a mild spice level. You can really taste the fragrance of coconut and ginger in this one! Their pork chop and pork belly are both a meat lover's dream, but if you're feeling adventurous, try out their assam sotong!
Address: 71 Seng Poh Road, #01-49, Singapore 160071
No Name Hainanese Curry Rice
This nameless and signboard-less Hainanese Curry Rice is well-known to Tiong Bahru residents for its curry and crispy pork that's marinated overnight. Each serving comes drenched with three kinds of sauces – lor bak sauce, chap chye gravy, and their signature ayam curry. Like China Street Hainanese Curry Rice, their curry is thinner in consistency but full-bodied in flavour. A word of advice: come early before they run out of dishes!
Address: 40 Beo Crescent, #01-10, Ho Ping Hng Coffeeshop, Singapore 160040
Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice
The stall at Beach Road was my first foray into Hainanese Curry Rice during my adolescent years, and thus it holds a special place in my heart. It might be the same too for the folks who form the long lines during lunch and dinner time! Food-wise, they're generous with their servings, and despite the visual clash of sauces, dishes and curry they complement each other very well in the mouth! Also, their braised pork belly is not to be missed.
Address: 229 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208905
Eleven Fingers (Eu Kee) Scissors Curry Rice
Curious about the name of the stall? Word has it that the original owner had an extra finger! Fun facts aside, the selection of items at this stall might not be as wide as some of the other vendors on this list, but we promise you that what they have is really delicious! Every plate is generously drenched with three different types of sauces for a perfect curry gravy combination. If you prefer your curries spicy, Eu Kee's definitely has a stronger fire than some of the others here!
Address: 269B Queen Street, #01-235, Singapore 180269
Yong Fa Hainanese Curry Rice & Curry Fish Head
A popular stall at Clementi 448 Food Centre, there seems to be a perpetual queue here. Each item ranges from $1 to $3 here and though the food is pricier as compared to other stalls, the generous servings and taste make up for it. There is a very home-y touch to their food, the curry here is spicy and slightly on the thinner side. If you prefer a tangy touch, you can ask for the fish curry instead!
Address: 448 Clementi Ave 3, #01-25, Singapore 120448
Tian Tian Hainanese Curry Rice
At Tian Tian, their recipes are a family secret and have been passed down from generations. Each serving is slathered generously with a mix of three different curries: chicken curry, seafood curry, and vegetarian curry. And if that's not enough for you, you can also request for additional meat sauces such as lok bak sauce, char siew sauce, or pork chop gravy. You have free rein to create your own combination of curries and sauces here!
Address: 116 Bukit Merah View, #01-253, Singapore 151116
Hong Seng Curry Rice
Hong Seng Curry Rice differs largely from the rest of this list mostly because their curry is stronger flavoured with a consistency like Japanese curry. Taste wise, it's spicy and assam-ish, with its taste leaning towards Curry Fish Head’s curry than the usual sweeter Hainanese curry. They also have an incredible selection range of over 20 different dishes, so you'll definitely be spoilt for choice here!
Address: 85 Redhill Lane, #01-74 Redhill Food Centre, Singapore 150085
Sin Chie Toke Huan
Sin Chie Toke Huan has been serving traditional Hainanese Curry Rice for decades, and their stall has an old-school vibe that will remind you of yesteryear Singapore. Serving up Hainanese Curry Rice along with dishes home-cooked style, it's easy to see why they're so popular with the Hougang residents. They also operate until 3.30am, so you know where to go when you get that midnight craving for some good curry rice!
Address: 1018 Upper Serangoon Road, Tai Peng Gardens, Singapore 534756
Toa Payoh Scissors Cut Curry Rice
Toa Payoh's Hainanese Curry Rice deviates from the traditional renditions and you'll find a pretty wide variety of dishes here. Think hash browns, steamed eggs and minced meat balls, which are typically uncommon in Hainanese Curry Rice stalls! Their curry is thicc and leans towards the saltier side, with a little grainy aftertaste quite akin to prata curry. If you like your curry saltier and prefer having a wide variety of dishes, then this might be the stall for you!
Address: 210 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, #01-28 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Market & Food Centre, Singapore 310210