I have been a long time Chicken Rice devotee, I know my stuff. Last night I made my own from a recipe in Bill Granger’s Sydney Food (maybe not completely traditional, but all done in less than an hour and very reminiscent of the best).
In 1991, I was introduced to this delight by an old friend, and I remember thinking, “sounds a bit boring”, until he took me to the Temple of Hainan Chicken in this country, and I became fanatical.
You will need to travel to Adelaide, but it is truly worth the journey, and you will possibly consider moving to SA as a result.
Go to the Central Market, and find “Chinatown Cafe”, it is a real local institution, owned by a Chinese Malay family and absolutely the sweetest cafe you will find.
It’s busy, cheap, clean and has a great selection of all the classics. You can choose chicken fillet or on the bone, and the sambal, ginger relish and soy is all top quality.
Sounds like a long way for Chicken Rice, it is worth every ounce of Carbon you will emit just getting there. In fact, I pretty much guarantee you won’t want to eat anywhere else for your stay.
The Central Market is the best of it’s kind in Australia as well, so you can shop for a picnic, and park outside the cafe when it closes!
I live in Victoria now, but I always head back to SA for this dish at Chinatown Cafe!!
Enjoy and travel safe!!

It is located at the end of the tram line in the middle of the road on White Horse Road. Just where the main pedestrian crossing is to the Box Hill shops.

Wong’s lucky bar
(03) 9899 8558
921 Whitehorse Road
Box Hill, 3128

Hey Tom- I have heard of good H’se Chicken in Hawkers Cafe, but rules are rules- that we go off no recommendations and places we eat at are randomly chosen.

Hey Belle- I bet Sydney has heaps of places, yes, next time I’m down, I’ll holla for suggestions.

Hey Penny- OK cool, will checkout coconut house. Their laksa is pretyy good. Thanks!

Hey Katherine- Mine too, it’s so good in winter served with the hot broth.

Hey Simon- Here, here. In fact, hoping to round up a few bloggers so we can attack a few places to find the ultimate! Hopefully before you head down.

Hey 3hungrytummies- yes, no skin strippers!

Hey Vee- yes, I remember your review. I was tempted to stray from the rules and head down to Hawkers cafe, but….

Hey Ms Baklover- I know right? I guess the most simplest of things/food are the best. Yes, please go hunting!

Hey Lorraine- I know! I can never become a chicken stripper! It’s too good to go to waste.

Hey Michele- Yes, head to Chun PO!

Hey Leona- haha! Thanks. Yes, I aim to do the most unlikely of challenges.

As for the date suggestions, yes, totally unromantic to head to any of these places. Plus, depending on your date- who would want H’se Chicken as the intro meal? LOL

Hey Billy- hehe, I’ll hit up raffles and Malaymas. Yeah, China Bar…well, so long as the H’se Chicken is good, I’ll keep coming back.

Hey Agnes- hehe- well, please feel free to send some over!

Hey Betty- aww thanks! Yeah, I noticed that as well. They all seem to be served separately. At Old Kompitam as well as other eateries I’ve been to in the past, they would usually whack it all on the same plate.

I’m surprised China Bar put in such a strong showing, but I guess the chicken is part of what they should do well, being a Chinese BBQ-centred restaurant. The Chun Po chicken looked good, but usually the indicator of perfectly boiled/steamed chicken for me is the blood/marrow inside the bone should still be red, and that clearly looked brown.
.-= Billy´s last blog ..Fuel Espresso Bar & Cafe =-.

“Bring a date here? Not a first date, perhaps when you’re over the honeymoon period” << hahaha lmao i believe that expression is gold. Any girl would be worried if their partners took em there id be like "hey arent i good enough for Chun po anymore?" lol
.-= Leona´s last blog ..Sushi Rio =-.

Hainanese chicken rice is one of my all time favorite dishes.
.-= Iron Chef Shellie´s last blog ..Week 14 – The Cookbook Challenge: Sushi =-.