Hai Ge Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice Singapore Honest Review

A Clean Modern Take on a Singapore Classic

First impressions of Hai Ge Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice

Sometimes you can tell a lot from the sign alone. Hai Ge Ji keeps things confident and straightforward. Black-and-gold signage, clean typography, and a modern wooden entrance. No gimmicks. No shouting. Just quiet confidence.

It already tells you this is not trying to be a loud hawker stall. It feels more polished, slightly premium, but still rooted in comfort food.

Why Hainanese chicken rice matters in Singapore

Hainanese chicken rice is not just another dish in Singapore. It is a benchmark. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has a favourite. And everyone judges hard.

At its core, it is simple—poached chicken. Fragrant rice. Chilli. Ginger. Dark soy. But that simplicity is precisely why it is so hard to get right. Any imbalance shows immediately.

The chicken

Soft, clean, and comforting

The chicken here is appropriately done. Tender and moist without feeling watery. The skin is smooth and clean rather than oily. You can taste the freshness rather than just the seasoning.

This is the kind of chicken rice that does not need drowning in sauce to taste good. It stands on its own.

The rice

Where good chicken rice is won or lost

The rice is fragrant without being greasy. Lightly oily, fluffy, and aromatic. It supports the chicken instead of overpowering it.

This is important because some places push the rice too hard with oil or garlic. Hai Ge Ji keeps it balanced and easy to eat from first spoon to last.

The sauces

Simple but essential

The chilli has a clean heat rather than an aggressive burn. The ginger is fresh and sharp. The dark soy adds depth without making the dish salty.

Nothing feels overworked. Everything does its job.

The overall experience

Hai Ge Ji feels like chicken rice for people who want comfort without chaos. Clean environment. Clear branding. A dish that respects tradition while presenting it in a more modern way.

It is not trying to reinvent chicken rice. And that is precisely why it works.

Is Hai Ge Ji worth trying

If you like
Clean flavours
Balanced chicken rice
Comfort food without excess oil or heaviness
A slightly more polished setting

Then yes, this is worth your time.

If you are chasing smoky roasted chicken or extreme flavours, this may not be your spot. But if you want a dependable, well-executed plate of chicken rice, Hai Ge Ji delivers.

Final thoughts

Hai Ge Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice proves that doing the basics well is still the hardest thing in food. No drama. No hype tricks. Just a solid plate of one of Singapore’s most loved dishes.

Sometimes that is all you need.

Google Reviews:

Hai Ge Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice

4.5

Based on 331 reviews

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roziana abdul rahman

05:05 08 Jan 26

Had a really satisfying meal here. The roasted n steamed chicken was tender, juicy and full of flavour, paired perfectly with the rice which truly stood out — fluffy, light and fragrant. Each grain was well-separated, full of flavour yet not greasy, making it incredibly easy to enjoy till the last bite. It complemented the chicken beautifully.

The soup was comforting and light, while the bean sprouts were fresh and simply seasoned. I also appreciated that the sauces were served on the side — especially the cili sauce, which had a lovely tangy kick that elevated the whole meal.

Ended the meal with mango pomelo, which was such a delightful treat. Creamy, refreshing and not overly sweet, with a lovely balance of textures — a perfect palate cleanser and a great way to round off the meal.

What made the experience even better was the warm hospitality — the owners, Belle and Sheikh, were very friendly, welcoming and genuinely engaging, making the dining experience feel personal and comfortable.
Clean, cosy environment with nicely presented food. Overall, a very enjoyable dining experience. Would definitely come back again 😊

Nurasyikin Binte Dzulkifli

10:09 04 Jan 26

Really enjoyed the plate of chicken rice both steamed and roasted. The chicken was soft and flavourful, paired with aromatic rice that was cooked just right. The chilli and sauce completed the dish perfectly. The chicken noodles was well enjoyed too by my husband. Met the owner and was delighted to see she herself served us the dishes. Thank you for the warm late lunch

Zayn

02:03 17 Dec 25

As a malaysian, I was quite surprised to find one the best nasi ayam that I haven’t tasted in a long while anywhere, to have it here in singapore. Owned by a muslim couple, the rice alone tastes delicious, what more the roasted chicken & condiments. Classic taste, rich in flavor, just nice in portion. My nephew even came here for 3 consecutive days for it. Hope they can control the price & maintain the quality and portion. Highly recommended. Open a branch in malaysia, you’ll do well sir.

Hamzah Alsagoff

04:25 01 Dec 25

Hai Ge Ji has been on our to-dine-at list since it first went viral on social so when our daughter was dining with her Japanese class mates nearby finally the opportunity presented itself. Plenty of good mentions and reviews about it to set our expectation but we wanted to sample it on our own. To focus on Hainanese Chicken Rice is an intriguing choice but considering often the halal offerings by the Malays or Muslim are far from the Chinese preferred ones perhaps it is a good one. Key word being preferred. The anticipatory first bite of the chicken rice, while is what seals the first taste and smell for the original Hainanese Chicken Rice, is not quite so scrutinised as the Chinese would. Not when it is at times drowned by chilli sauce literally poured over covering it by many non-Chinese who ate it. As for the chicken – with the steamed ones being the make or break litmus standard is not even preferred – it is usually the roasted version that is favoured. Not surprising as many are not used to protein not well done or cooked. For me personally I not only prefer but look out for the coveted moist, tender and succulent steamed version that a true authentic Hainanese chicken rice has to deliver. Even before that the rice – the expected inviting aromatic chicken-infused steamed rice – has to be so good that one can really just eat it on its own. And the triptych of condiments – the tasty dark soya sauce, the lightly punchy grated ginger and the signature tarty spicy chilli sauce – is all too important in completing the heavenly appeal of a deliciously addictive plate of the humble chicken rice which is akin to food for the soul of many who love it.

So, how does Hai Ge Ji stack up then? Firstly, the rice is really rather OG flavourful good although on a slightly drier side. But delish and generously served with the order we placed. As for HGJ’s chicken – my wife had hers the roasted ones, which she said it’s good, while I of course ordered the steamed version – it’s equally authentic tasting good. I mean we were told by the lovely Siti who attended to us that their cook came from the famed kitchen of the best and original Hainanese origin. My steamed one is moist, succulent and the meat still tender bedded in the light soya sauce that keeps it beautifully flavoured. Sure one can nitpick and asked for a much tenderer lighter version with perhaps the chicken fat still on it but I have no complaint. At least it is not dry or stiff. As for the accompanying condiments triptych panelled on a dish tray they are good and the real deal, although the grated ginger can be a little more textured and slightly rougher. Now the one that bowls me over is the soup that comes with it. It’s a perfect comforting balance actually. I’ve had my share of awful almost afterthought soups from Malay stalls which are either just lazily salty flavoured or downright watery tasteless bland. I must say I can drink up the HGJ’s version. Sedap.

When you get the basics right then the expectations are not only met but set the tone for the rest of their offerings. The chicken skin starter is crunchy addictive although the accompanying mayo we had wasn’t quite the blend of spice and mayo as promised or as displayed on their menu. My son had the congee, which is a comforting bowl of lightly-infused chicken goodness, that he finished happily. I must say the set we took with the equally generous serving of the familiar vegetables complete the balance meal for me. And for the price for the set it’s a darn good deal.

We only had space for one dessert to sample and share. The Imperial Mango Pomelo Sago is delicious good delivering on the familiar classic I’m used to but the red coloured sago tiny balls sprinkled on top oddly tasted still a lil frozen hard and clumpy. Oh how can I forget to mention about the Salaam Cola served. I’ve been curious to taste the no sugar version and you know what can we have it everywhere available please.

Suffice to say we will be back for more

Nur Muhammad

04:58 08 Oct 25

Had a dinner experience with my family of 8 (6 adults 2 kids). We ordered a wide variety of dishes and the food does not disappoint.

The vegetable side dishes were cooked perfectly, and not overcooked!

The roasted and steamed chicken are moist and tender. The chilli, sauce, and garlic ginger condiments compliment very well.

The fried chicken skin is to die for. It marries well with the belacan mayo, full of umami.

We would like to specially thank service staff Kenneth for being very accommodating and helpful in serving our large table.

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Check out my Halal food blog: https://anavidtraveller.com/category/halal/