Boon Tong Kee

This place may be was good before it was run down by tourists. Verse of glutamate salt and sugar in all dishes — avoid

Just getting seated will set you back $ 5+ from the obligatory boiled peanuts, pickles, and wet towelettes. Came for dinner and found a queue waiting to get in but later found many were picking up their takeaways. We sat on the 2^nd floor dining room and the service was very good however, the food arrived at our table sporadically making the dinner awkward as we waited in between dishes, especially the last dish which came as we were about finished. Ordered steamed eggs (3 different kinds of eggs), side pork with mui choy, stuffed tofu, and famous steamed chicken. The stuffed tofu never made it out to us. Was later told that it was not available … okkkkkay. We didn’t originally ordered the chicken but the waitress was shocked that we didn’t and convinced us into adding it, and was glad she did — juicy, flavorful and good portions. Menu was easy to read and catergorized. Will be back to try the many other dishes.

When chicken is dry on the inside, is not so tasty
Vegetables comes as shown in poc
With end going bad
The old flame is gone
Prefer loy kee,

Boon Tong Kee’s chicken rice is classic. The other stuff they try to push on you is passable but just stick with the chicken rice and all will be well.
Came here on the second day of CNY and the line was insane with over an hour wait. We had heard the claypot rice here was quite popular and thus we ordered ahead while waiting for our table so the timing synced up. Alas, the claypot rice is alright but very forgettable. But the dependable staples didn’t disappoint. Love the fragrant savory rice here. I can eat bowls of it! Paired with the silken white skin and moist chicken, it just works. Another staple, that fried tofu. Impeccable delicate and soft on the inside with a light crispy exterior. I don’t know how it holds its texture but when dipped in the salad dressing, so yummy! Oh and that char siew that’s already on your table when you’re seated… it’s just sublime.
Being CNY, we also ordered lo hei for some festive cheer and our server was really personable in preparing it. But for everyday classics that won’t disappoint, the chicken rice, fried tofu, and char siew are winners for sure. Also this location is open late which is a plus for supper cravings.

Ah, the famous Singaporean chicken and rice. In NYC, chicken and rice is something you get off the street from the Halal dudes. Here, it’s Hainanese chicken. Weary from a 9 hour flight with layover from Tokyo, I was eager to finally get some grub into my system, so my coworkers who so graciously picked me up from the airport, drove me to Book Tong Kee.
One of the (funny) reasons we chose this restaurant was because there was air conditioning, which seems to be a rare thing in Singapore. Upon sitting down, we were offered (more like advertised) some roast pork. My boss obliged, so we had some cold roast pork. Not sure if was supposed to be cold, but it was cold. Tasted okay… nothing special.
We also ordered a tofu dish, chicken and rice, and water spinach (cong xin cai, morning glory, etc). The tofu was unlike anything I’ve had before in the States — perfectly battered (?) crispy outer and hot and soft inside. Chicken and rice was pretty standard — flavorful and tender. Water spinach — I’m really biased because it’s my favorite vegetable, but here, they make it spicy and it’s an excellent combination.
Not sure how the prices were, but service was okay and the restaurant is fairly clean and pretty nice, actually.

Went to the restaurant last night as recommended by the Days Hotel staff… they are famous for their chicken rice and honestly it was the best chicken rice I have ever had!
Normally I would have put a 5 stars however, I was not happy for the fact that their was only a wet naps per persom on the table, no napkins to either wipe your hands or mouth. We obviously used the wet naps as it was the only thing on the table to wipe our hands and when the bill came… SURPRISE!!! There was a 0.30 $ charge for each wet nap! Seriously the waitress should have told us!
Anyways, I would go back only for the chicken rice but for the rest, not that impressed!

I’ve never had chicken rice in a NICE restaurant. I didn’t know something like this was possible until I came to Boon Tong Kee. We tried several dishes, including the infamous chicken rice. We also had the preserved egg and char siu appetizers, vegetables with egg and pork with preserved vegetables. Everything was sooooo delicious. This may be the most expensive chicken rice experience I’ve ever had, but it was definitely the most delicious and satisfying.
Although the wait can be long, and the servers not the most friendly in the world, the food is irresistible and there is a parking lot around the back!

yet another kee and a pretty famous one at that!
kee = 記 = to record, mark, note/​to keep in mind, remember/​record, chronicle.
and you bet boon tong deserves a kee added to their name.
if any rice can be so good you can even eat it on it’s own, their chicken rice is it.
it is addictive like carbo should be.
every grain soaked through with the all important stock used to delicately poach the chicken.
every grain stays individually separate yet works collectively to provide a uniquely unctuous mouth feel that is nothing short of delicioussimo.
you will probably forget your name as you slip ever so subtly into a food coma.
and that is just their chicken rice alone.
but what makes this shop special?
how about it being their very first restaurant?
how about the plentiful parking located just behind?
how about the experienced and ever so friendly staff that make appropriate recommendations and always warn me when i try to order too much?
how about the bell you can ring for immediate service when they get super busy?
how about the extensive zi char menu that goes beyond just their chicken rice?
how about it being affordable and yet in air-​conditioned comfort?
how about just being able to eat chicken rice at 5am in the morning?!
your honour, i rest my case.
P. S. the bus load of tourists may be a daunting sight.
but their specially created takeaway containers make it a swift no brainer option on those occasion (s) you can’t get in.

I have not been in this restaurant for 15 years after I had frankly lousy sweet chicken rice and paid through my nose. Now having tried it again today, I’m won over. The rice is fragrant and perfectly cooked. The chicken is very good. We had fish and vegetables too. All good and tasty. You still pay through your nose, but now its worth it.

No review is truly fair unless proper shout-​outs are made to other Unilocalers who have contributed to the success of a «foodie» experience. Although Boon Tong Kee (especially this branch) has been on my bucket list for some time, I never got around to trying it… and when the Unilocal King of Singapore found out about it as I was preparing to make my exit out of this little amazing RED dot, he just made it happen.
So thank you Sir Nik T. for this wonderful experience and introducing me to what is now my second favorite chicken rice spot in Singapore.
Chicken…immaculate.
Sauce…just about right.
Rice…near perfect, crumbly yet moist. Yeah, near perfection.
Yep, first runner up in the chicken rice race and trailing quite closely behind the almighty Tian Tian.
Unilocal 100: ⁵²⁄₁₀₀
/​My-​last-​3-​weeks-​in-​SG

I took my dad here to introduce him to Singapore’s famous Chicken Rice. I really wanted to take him to Tian Tian at Maxwell, but I was afraid the heat would be unbearable for him. Being the loving daughter that I am, I opted to celebrate this momentous occasion in an air conditioned environment. :) I normally do take away here, so dining in was a new experience.
Unfortunately, our server could barely speak English, yet she still tried to upsell us by suggesting I order the more expensive, not boiled chicken. After declining, I asked for iced water and instead got some weird coconut drink. If you can’t even understand the word «water» that’s definitely a problem. She did manage to get the rest of our order correct, probably because I pointed on the menu.
Despite this, my dad truly enjoyed it, and our bill was under $ 20. (Then again, we weren’t hungry so we didn’t order a lot of food.)
Takeaway is still a pleasant experience, as the line moves quickly and the food remains tasty by the time I get home. Because of this, I maintain my 4 star rating.

I came here in hopes of a spirit-​lifting meal, but was left disappointed. After being so highly recommended, even by one of my closest friends I found this spot right next to the Shaw Plaza on Balestier road. The service was excellent, quickly showing me to my table and getting my order, it was chicken rice of course. The chicken rice was quickly served, but the first error was spotted when a dirty fork was given to me, I cringe at the very thought… disgusting. I had it replaced and started on the meal. It was utterly a disappointment! The rice was dry and so was the chicken, very difficult to swallow and generally just a complete disappointment! Totalling a 9 dollar something bill I honestly believe and with full conviction say that the average $ 2.50 chicken rice you find at standard kopitiams are like a million times better! Stay away!
This is my first 1-​star review, it was truly a let down!

The chicken is tender and tasty, the rice is fragrant and the chilli sauce is good enough to accompany them. Being a well-​established brand, it is safe to bring your overseas visitors to Boon Tong Kee for their first taste of our famous Singapore chicken rice.
But i feel that the standard has dropped since they decided to expand their branches, and the few that still has standard are their River Valley and Balestier road branches
Side dishes to order when eating there are their bean sprouts and oyster vegetables. A must have to complement the tasty chicken rice.

This is the famous one that my mother used to say ‘CHOW XIN CHI always come here eat when he comes to Singapore!’ Chow Xin Chi is the famous Hong Kong actor/​director Stephen Chow.
Boon Tong Kee is undoubtedly part of the Singapore chicken rice fame and this Balestier outlet is the first and original branch in Singapore. Over the years it has attracted many tourists and locals alike to try what was hailed as the best chicken rice in Singapore.
I remember the best part of the meal was the rice. It was glistening smooth, moist and savoury. One could finish the rice easily without mixing it with the ingredients. The chicken was a hit-​or-​miss, depending on which day you visit the outlet — meaning it isn’t always excellent. That said, it’s still a pretty decent meal, though pricier than most chicken rice stalls out there.
Oh, and they open till the wee hours.