Joy comes from seeing earthen pots stuffed with delicious ingredients atop roaring fires. The aroma that hits you when the claypot is unlid is smoky and savoury. Dig through the layers to reveal the chunks of marinated chicken, Chinese sausage, and salty fish. Finally, drizzle over a healthy spoonful of lard oil and sambal chilli. Eat till your stomach is satisfied and the crispy burnt bits of rice at the bottom are scraped clean.
Feeling hungry? We have the 10 best claypot rice places in Singapore for you to feed that hunger right away.
| 1. New Lucky Claypot Rice | |
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| Phone: | +65 6778 7808 |
| Website: | www.facebook.com/newluckyclaypot/ |
| Location: | 44 Holland Drive, #02-19, Holland Drive Market and Food Centre, Singapore 270044 |
| Working Hours: | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm / 05:00 pm – 08:00 pm (Mon – Tues) 11:00 am – 01:00 pm / 05:00 – 08:00 pm (Thur – Sun) Wednesday closed |
Why You Should Visit:
New Lucky Claypot Rice is one of two stalls in Singapore to have received a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Their menu is short and simple. It has two types of claypot rice, available in three sizes – for 2 people, 3 people, and 4 people. There are also limited side dishes, such as oyster sauce veg and a few soups.
Highlights:
- The rice is cooked over a charcoal fire and therefore takes longer to prepare. Wait times can extend for up to 90 minutes.
- You can call ahead to place your order and arrive at the designated time for dine-in or pick-up. This will help ease the crowds and reduce your wait time.
- The chicken is the real star of the show. Beautifully marinated with a smoky sesame oil flavour, it is heaped onto the rice in generous portions.
- The serving for 2 people is large, so go hungry.
- Prices are on the higher side, as compared to other stalls. But then again, New Lucky has received a Michelin recommendation.
Customer Feedback:
“Ever since I found out you can order your dish ahead and reduce your wait time, I have been ordering from New Lucky almost every week. Their rice is the perfect blend of chicken, Chinese sausage, charred rice, and soy sauce.”
Jean
| 2. Geylang Claypot Rice | |
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| Phone: | +65 6744 4574 |
| Website: | www.facebook.com/geylangclaypotrice |
| Location: | 361 / 363 / 365 Beach Road, Singapore 199576 |
| Working Hours: | 12:00 pm – 02:30 pm / 05:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Daily) |
Why You Should Visit:
GeylangClaypot Rice has moved from its original stall location in Geylang to a newer, larger space on Beach Road. You can dine comfortably in one of the three shop spaces against the modern interior.
Since the dish is cooked traditionally on a charcoal fire, expect a wait time of up to 25 minutes. But the wait is worth it when the smoky, flavourful pot reaches your table. Remove the lid and enjoy the aroma of lard oil, salted fish, and marinated chicken. Mix well and dig in.
Highlights:
- Call ahead for table reservations and to order your claypot rice in advance.
- The side dishes are excellent as well. Menu favourites include prawns with tofu and the sambalkangkong.
- Portions are large, and prices are affordable.
- Soup of the day is also available and usually alternates between watercress or lotus root soup.
- The shop is air-conditioned, which is ideal for the hot Singapore weather.
Customer Feedback:
“I love the new outlet at Beach Road. It is bigger, so there is more space to wait as well. The rice is thankfully as delicious as before. They use lard oil and not spring onion oil in their rice, and the difference is remarkable.”
Mika
| 3. Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice | |
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| Phone: | +65 6227 2470 |
| Location: | 335 Smith Street, #02-198/199 Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335 |
| Working Hours: | 04:00 pm – 09:00 pm (Mon-Wed, Fri – Sun) Thursday closed |
Why You Should Visit:
Tucked away into a far corner of the massive Chinatown Complex, Lian He Ben JiClaypot Rice has been feeding customers for over 40 years.
Madame Lin, who helms the store, started cooking with her father-in-law when she was 16. She now runs the stall with her cousins and sisters. Added to the attraction is the fact that the eatery holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. One out of three other food stalls in Chinatown.
Highlights:
- 18 charcoal fires blaze away while Madame Lin expertly makes each claypot from scratch.
- Expect wait times of up to 40 minutes.
- The lotus root soup is a crowd favourite as well.
- Lian He Ben Ji uses scallion oil rather than traditional lard oil to make a healthy choice.
- Very affordable prices and large portions
Customer Feedback:
“I am addicted to the claypot rice here. I recommend mixed rice with juicy chicken, crispy sausage, and salty fish. Each mouthful is divine. Remember to mix the rice well before eating.”
Reena
| 4. Xin Xin Claypot Rice | |
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| Phone: | +65 9831 3121 |
| Website: | www.facebook.com/xinxinclaypot |
| Location: | 1 Sengkan West Ave, #03-13 Fernvale Community and Hawker Centre, Singapore 797 650 |
| Working Hours: | 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm (Tues – Sun) Monday closed |
Why You Should Visit:
When Damien Foo and his friend Will Chua met at the Singapore Institute of Management, little did they know that some years down the line, they would be owning their own claypot rice stall?
Come afternoon time, the two millennials take over the place and offer one of the best claypot rice spots in Singapore. Their recipe is an expert blend of old and new. All ingredients are sourced from various suppliers in Hong Kong and China.
Highlights:
- Home delivery is to be ordered via the Take App (www.xinxinclaypot.take.app/)
- There is less (or no) salted fish in this version of the claypot rice.
- Wait time of about 25 minutes per dish.
- Large portions and very reasonably priced.
- Call ahead to book your table. At times walk-in customers are rejected due to a lack of space.
Customer Feedback:
“I started ordering from Xin Xin Claypot Rice during the first circuit breaker. The food was always sent piping hot and yummy. I especially like that no salty fish is added to the rice. It can get too overwhelming, and Xin Xin’s version is just right.”
Alan
| 5. Broadway Claypot Rice | |
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| Phone: | +65 8622 8632 |
| Website: | www.facebook.com/broadwayclaypotrice/ |
| Location: | 727 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, Singapore 560727 |
| Working Hours: | 11:00 am – 08:30 pm |
Why You Should Visit:
Located just behind the Ang Mo Kio food centre and next to Broadway Plaza, Broadway Claypot Rice has been in business for over thirty years. The charcoal-cooked rice comes in a variety of different sizes.
You can choose between a single serving and a dish that serves up to four people. There is also a choice between regular chicken rice and rice with Kampong chicken.
Highlights:
- The difference in price between the regular and Kampong version is only two dollars so you can afford to splurge on the premium version.
- The waiting period is about 15 minutes but could be longer during peak lunch or dinner.
- The chicken in the rice does have bones, so be careful while eating.
- Side dishes include BakKutTeh, Pig’s Organ Soup, and Chinese Herbal Soup, to name a few.
Customer Feedback:
“Broadway has been my family’s favourite for more than a decade. We love their soup mixed with crispy bits of rice. The large pieces of chicken are flavorful and well marinated.”
Nina
| 6. Yew Chuan Claypot Rice | |
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| Phone: | +65 9137 5661 |
| Location: | 505 Beach Road, #01-73 Golden Mile Food Centre, Singapore 199583 |
| Working Hours: | 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm (Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun) 12:00 pm – 08:30 pm (Sat) Monday and Thursday closed |
Why You Should Visit:
With only one other dish on the menu – the oyster sauce vegetables – the highlight of Yew Chuan remains the Chinese claypot rice. Visit this unassuming stall in the packed Golden Mile Food Centre and be amazed at the rows of wood fires burning.
Each dish is made to order from scratch, and the blend of spice, umami, and sweetness makes this one of Singapore’s best claypot rice finds.
Highlights:
- Claypots are available in a variety of sizes. They also have individual servings.
- Reasonable prices.
- The chilli sauce served with the chicken claypot rice is not for the fainthearted. Use this spicy condiment sparingly.
- A perfect balance of crusty burnt rice and steamed rice.
- Food must be paid for and ordered at the counter but will be served to your table.
Customer Feedback:
“While looking for traditional claypot rice near me, I stumbled across Yew Chuan. I was very impressed with the portions and the generous helping of the chicken. The chilli sauce is the best kind of spicy and tastes so good when mixed into the rice.”
Karen
| 7. Sembawang Traditional Claypot Rice | |
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| Phone: | +65 6757 7144 |
| Website: | www.sembawangclaypotrice.getz.co/ |
| Location: | 4 JlnTampang, Singapore 758948 |
| Working Hours: | 11:00 am – 10:00 pm (Daily) |
Why You Should Visit:
Using a 40-year-old traditional claypot recipe, Sembawang is a small eatery that offers one of the most fragrant and tastiest claypots in Singapore. Their noodles and curries garner quite a crowd as well.
Highlights:
- Other dishes worth trying include fish head curry and garlic fried chicken.
- Limited seating and no air conditioning, so call ahead and book your order to save time.
- Minimum order of $30 is required for free island-wide delivery.
Customer Feedback:
“If you find yourself in the area, go to Sembawang and enjoy their traditional dishes. I love their rice set menus and meehoon. It gets quite crowded, so avoid peak times.”
Sam
| 8. Yong Nian Claypot Rice | |
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| Phone: | +65 8133 0032 |
| Location: | #01-18 Apex at Henderson, Singapore 159545 |
| Working Hours: | 10:00 am – 04:00 pm (Daily) |
Why You Should Visit:
Established in 2018, Yong Nian is a relative newcomer in the market. The stall is close to the Clementi MRT station and is a popular stop for commuters and locals.
Reiko, the owner, is Malaysian and learned the art of traditional claypot chicken rice from her father. Her relatives still have thriving food stall businesses back in Taiping, Malaysia.
Highlights:
- Yon Nian uses special handmade earthen pots for the recipes. These come from Malaysia and are rarely seen in other claypot establishments in Singapore.
- Unlike other stalls, you eat the claypot straight from these unique bowls and do not serve them first on plates or smaller rice bowls.
- Online delivery is available.
- Another item on the menu is the famous claypot chicken.
Customer Feedback:
“Reiko is a master at what she does. She expertly assembles each rice pot and arranges all the ingredients before popping it on the stove. The perfect addition of just the right amount of sauces makes Yong Nian an all-time favourite.”
Helen
| 9. He Ping | |
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| Phone: | +65 6748 9495 |
| Location: | 148 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387470 |
| Working Hours: | 11:00 am – 11:00 pm (Daily) |
Why You Should Visit:
With a capacity for 50 customers, He Ping offers claypot rice and other traditional dishes on its menu. Also known for its unique addition of salted egg yolk to the recipe. The owner helps you with mixing the condiments and ingredients in the correct order for maximum enjoyment. You can call ahead and order to save time.
Highlights:
- The restaurant is on a busy street, so the traffic noise may affect your dining experience.
- Friendly staff.
- Reasonable prices.
- Parking may be problematic.
- Online delivery available via foodpanda
Customer Feedback:
“This recipe differs from any other claypot rice I’ve had in Singapore. The sambal is spicier, and the green chilli adds a welcome kick. Plus, the salted egg yolk added takes it to another level of deliciousness.”
Theresa
| 10. BaoFa Traditional Food | |
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| Phone: | +65 6561 0607 |
| Location: | 283 Bukit Batok East Ave 3, Singapore 650283 |
| Working Hours: | 11:30 am – 09:00 pm (Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun) Thursday closed |
Why You Should Visit:
BaoFa is located in Bukit Batok – a neighbourhood slowly building a reputation for good food. The stall offers a variety of noodles and herbal soups, but their traditional claypot rice is the real draw.
Each dish is made to order and includes a hefty serving of chicken with Chinese sausage and salty fish. In a nod towards a healthier lifestyle, BaoFa does not use lard oil but prefers to add scallion oil instead. The chilli oil is always in demand.
Highlights:
- Takeaway available between 11:30 am – 09:00 pm.
- Other dishes on the menu include minced meat noodles and soups.
- Expect a wait time of 20+ minutes as all dishes are made to order, and the rice is not pre-steamed.
- You can call ahead and book your order to reduce long queues and waiting time.
- The stall serves local breakfast staples such as BakChorMee in the morning.
Customer Feedback:
“We keep going to Bao Fa for the generous portions and great pricing. And, of course, the yummy Chinese claypot rice. I like it because there are not too many burnt bits and a good balance of meat.”
Alan
FAQS
How are you supposed to eat claypot rice?
Once the lid is removed, you are assaulted with the delicious aroma of smoky meat and charred rice. Pour your oil and dark soy sauce over the rice and chicken and sprinkle with chilli sauce and coriander leaves.
Now mix it all well and take a big spoonful. Make sure you have all the layers and textures in each bite.
Is claypot rice always cooked on a charcoal fire?
The traditional claypot rice recipe calls for an open charcoal or wood fire. This is the best way to infuse the dish with a smoky flavour and cook the meat and rice evenly. Many new restaurants now make the dish in a regular steamer. However, this never recreates the same smoky taste.
Why do I have to wait so long for my dish?
Any restaurant or food stall worth its salt will make your claypot rice from scratch. Toppings of chicken, Chinese sausage, and salty fish are added to the rice, and the lid seals the deal.
The entire dish is then cooked on an open flame and served when the sides and bottom of the rice get properly crispy and burnt. All this can take about 20 to 50 minutes, depending on how crowded the place is.
CONCLUSION
Claypot rice brings back the memory of childhood treats and traditions. Today, it also includes innovative ingredients and condiments that take from this age-old recipe, tweaking it to match the times. But no matter what is added or subtracted, claypot chicken rice continues to be one of Singapore’s all-time favourite meals.
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