These top spots in Singapore serve the ultimate claypot rice that’ll have you scraping the pot for those crispy bits.
Who doesn’t love rice? It’s a staple carb everyone can enjoy in countless ways: fragrant nasi lemak, classic Hainanese chicken rice, comforting pao fan, or even the herbaceous goodness of thunder tea rice. But nothing beats the smoky, charred perfection of claypot rice, which you can thankfully find all over Singapore. That’s why we found the top places where you can enjoy this dish.
The best claypot rice in Singapore
1. Geylang Claypot Rice
This brand has been around for over 30 years, peddling its wares at a modest coffee shop at Geylang Lorong 33 before moving its operations to a swanky space on Beach Road. But don’t worry, everything else remains the same. These folks still cook their claypot rice over a charcoal fire, and diners still have to wait for 25 minutes before they can tuck into the dish. Well, you know the saying: good things come to those who wait.
Geylang Claypot Rice, 361/363/365 Beach Road, Singapore 199576
2. Nan Xing Claypot Rice
Ask any enthusiastic foodie for their claypot rice recommendations, and this stall will inadvertently come up. Located within Circuit Road Hawker Centre, Nan Xing has been serving authentic Guandong-style claypot for almost four decades. One of its most popular offerings is the claypot chicken rice, but if you want to try something new, the luncheon meat and egg is a delish option.
Nan Xing Claypot Rice, #01-11, Circuit Road Hawker Centre, 79 Circuit Road, Singapore 370079
3. Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice
Our list would be incomplete if we didn’t include one of Singapore’s renowned claypot rice eateries. This Michelin Bib Gourmand-approved stall in Chinatown prepares every order the traditional way: in clay pots over a charcoal flame. The hawkers only start cooking upon confirmation, so customers have to wait for some time before they get their food. What’s good here? The mixed rice is enough for one person. Oh, be sure to get the lotus root pork rib soup too!
Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice, #02-198/199, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
4. Yew Chuan Claypot Rice
Golden Mile Food Centre has plenty of food options, but on days when you’re craving claypot rice, there’s only one place to get it. Yew Chuan only serves claypot chicken rice (good news for those who constantly have trouble deciding), but it comes in various portions. Diners can enjoy the dish solo, or share it with their entourage. Each pot comes drizzled with dark soya sauce, though you’re welcome to add more if necessary.
Yew Chuan Claypot Rice, #01-73, Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road, Singapore 199583
5. Le Chasseur
Nope, this isn’t a French restaurant or bistro that got lost in the mix. And no, it’s not a fancy way of pronouncing “char siew”. The owner adopted the name, which means “the hunter” in French, from the restaurant he was working at while living in Mauritius. Le Chasseur (Singapore version) is a zi char spot with claypot rice on the menu. Its rendition uses basmati rice grains, which is why the texture is lighter and offers a good bite. Don’t forget to mix everything up before digging in.
Le Chasseur, #01-101, 27 Eunos Road 2, Singapore 409387
6. New Lucky Claypot Rice
Here’s another claypot rice establishment in Singapore that needs no further introduction. For over 40 years, New Lucky has kept residents in Holland Village (as well as those willing to travel) well-fed with its offering. Each portion is topped with chicken, Chinese sausages, salted fish, and preserved vegetables. Pro tip: call ahead of your visit so you don’t have to wait too long for your claypot rice.
New Lucky Claypot Rice, #02-19, Holland Drive Market & Food Centre, 44 Holland Drive, Singapore 270044
7. Cantonese Claypot Rice
Tiong Bahru is truly a foodie’s definition of paradise. Besides the popular Tiong Bahru Market, the neighbourhood is also home to Beo Crescent Market, which boasts plenty of hawker gems. A fine example is this stall, which consistently sees unending queues. There are six types of claypot rice for you to feast on, from chicken and sliced fish to pork ribs and sausage bacon. Wash it down with a bowl of ginseng-stewed chicken soup.
Cantonese Claypot Rice, #01-66, Beo Crescent Market, 38A Beo Crescent, Singapore 169982
8. Ah Ching Claypot Delights
The eponymous founder of this business worked at Geylang Claypot Rice before striking out on his own. You can say he spent most of his adult life cooking charcoal rice, so you know you’re tasting the real deal here. Ah Ching prides himself on using the best ingredients for his claypot rice – the secret lies in the aged rice and salted fish. What you’ll get after endless waiting is a delightful dish you won’t wanna share with anyone else.
Ah Ching Claypot Delights, #01-256, 22 Sin Ming Road, Singapore 571022
9. Golden Chef SG
Spotted: a new contender emerges in the battle for best claypot rice in Singapore. Based at a hawker centre in Yishun, Golden Chef SG is founded by three Johoreans working in our city. Their modus operandi is to sell claypot rice but with a twist. What’s on the menu? Fascinating creations like half-shelled scallops and fresh prawn with cheese, smoked duck, and breaded fried fish and prawn. Don’t worry, the stall also offers standard claypot chicken rice.
Golden Chef SG, #01-1005, 256 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 760256
10. Broadway Claypot Rice
At this point, you can say it’s pretty easy to find one good claypot rice stall in every neighbourhood. Broadway Claypot Rice in Ang Mo Kio is revered for its affordable offering. Planning to swing by? You can order the claypot beef rice, which comes piping hot with that oh-so-delicious charred aroma. Psst: you can’t leave without bagging some curry puffs. These goodies will leave you wanting more.
Broadway Claypot Rice, #01-4236, 727 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, Singapore 560727
11. L&M Seafood
What do we have here? Only a hawker stall that serves up halal-certified Chinese cuisine. You can get all kinds of dishes here – and yes, that includes claypot chicken rice. Both are doused in soya sauce after cooking, lending a tinge of sweetness to the dish. We also spotted a seafood version if you’re sick of having poultry. L&M Seafood has multiple outlets across the island, so you don’t have to venture far for a taste of halal claypot rice.
L&M Seafood, multiple locations including Choa Chu Kang and Sengkang
12. Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice
Temporarily closed.
Fun fact: this stall started out selling dim sum, steamed buns, and roast meat. That was before the claypot rice boom in Singapore influenced the founder to pivot the business and sell the dish. Even though Yuan Yuan is now helmed by a second-generation hawker (aka the son), customers can rest assured that the taste remains the same, thanks to its use of hua diao wine (traditional Chinese yellow wine). P.S. Keep an eye out on its socials for when the stalls resume business again.
Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice, multiple locations including Bukit Merah and Jurong West
Hungry yet? Get your fill of claypot rice anywhere in Singapore – stat!
