The most meaningful part of blogging is to meet people and share their memories. I guess that is the greatest motivation for me to sustain this blog for more than 7 years. Just that day, I visited Sengkang Kopitiam Square to eat Sergeant Kiang’s chicken rice. You may ask, kopitiam chicken rice? In many foodies’ eyes, this may not be the place to find your ultimate hawker cuisine. But, they have managed to work with Sergeant Kiang to serve yummy plate of chicken rice.

So who is Sergeant Kiang? He was the pioneer batch of chefs that started the legendary Chatter Box chicken rice at Mandarin Hotel from 1971. But he got his fame after he left Mandarin Hotel, when he went to open Sergeant Chicken at Rasa Singapura and Jiang Ji Chicken Rice. So he intended to expand, but unfortunately that did not happen. Thankfully, he met up with owner of the Kopitiam boss and Sgt Kiang resurfaced.

If you are wondering, he was actually Sergeant Kiang in the Army Food Battalion Regiment in the 60’s.

They now have 15 outlets in Kopitiam serving HALAL-CERTIFIED chicken rice, all rebranded under the name Chicky Fun. Everything is cooked on location, Sgt Kiang has to move around various outlets to ensure that quality is being controlled.

At Sengkang Kopitiam Square, I got a taste of Sgt Kiang’s chicken rice. This is the training kitchen for all cooks to go under training for Kopitiam Chicky Fun, supervised and trained by Sergeant Kiang. When served, the plate of chicken is already impressive. Glistering and slippery smooth skin greeted us, and when I took a bite, the meat is so moist and tender inside. The chicken is lightly seasoned, so it is not too oily yet you are able to get the flavours in a bite. If you have the chance, watch how his son debone the chicken.

To go with our traditional plate of chicken rice, we also had roast chicken, fried chicken, chicken innards and vegetables. Because they are halal-certified, they uses chicken to create “char siew”. It doesn’t have the smoky roast flavour. Sweet marinade was used instead.

The rice is not the best I have had, but it is still one of the better ones and when the solid chilli sauce comes in, it is a picture perfect moment. Chilli sauce is an important aspect in determining a good plate of chicken rice. And I must say, his chilli is fierce. No white vinegar was used, just lime, garlic, ginger and chilli! Plus the minced ginger which gave it a balanced meal, yet not too overpowering.

Thank you Uncle Bob for arranging the meal and giving me the chance to hear the story of 77-year old Sergeant Kiang. I am glad that his son now is continuing this chicken rice tradition.

Chicky Fun (Halal)

Address: Kopitiam Square, 10 Sengkang Square Singapore 544829
Opening hours: 10am to 10.30pm

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