Hainanese chicken rice
Hainanese chicken rice · Singapore
Hainanese immigrants brought Wenchang chicken to the Nanyang, where it became Singapore's national dish.
Know before you go
- Don't 'chope' a seat with a packet of tissues and disappear for ages
- littering in Singapore brings a fine
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Hainanese chicken rice was created by immigrants from Hainan in China, adapted from the Wenchang chicken and Wenchang chicken rice famous in their homeland since the Qing dynasty. As Hainanese settled across the Nanyang (today's Southeast Asia), the dish spread to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. It is widely regarded as one of Singapore's national dishes and is sold at almost every hawker centre and food court.
Local customs
- Chicken with chilli sauce, ginger paste and dark soy sauce
- sip the clear chicken soup before eating the rice
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Singapore: chewing gum, e-cigarettes and littering
- Clear chewing gum out of your luggage before arrival (except medical and dental gum approved by the Health Sciences Authority)
- Put rubbish in the bin
- Carrying or using e-cigarettes; bringing them in for personal use is also illegal
- Littering
E-cigarettes are completely illegal; police can fine you on the spot for littering.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Singapore travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't 'chope' a seat with a packet of tissues and disappear for ages
- littering in Singapore brings a fine
Locals appreciate DO
Singaporeans appreciate visitors who queue at hawker centres and clear their own trays.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Maxwell Food Centre and other hawker centres have famous stalls
- read it alongside 'Singapore hawker centres' in the city guide. Prices and opening hours are set by each stall
- popular old places often have queues, so go outside peak mealtimes.
Sources & verification notes
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