Hua Kee Cantonese Chicken Rice at Tampines – Not the Redhill One, But Has Its Own Crowd

In the heartlands of Tampines, tucked beneath the corridors of Blk 201D, a chicken rice stall quietly commands attention. Its name—Hua Kee Chicken Rice—rings with nostalgia. For those who once queued religiously at the now-defunct Redhill Market icon bearing the same name, spotting “Hua Kee” again feels almost like a homecoming.

But nostalgia can be misleading.

After speaking with the cook—not once, but twice—it was confirmed: no relation to the Redhill legend. The name is a coincidence, not a revival. Still, the queue here builds steadily from late morning, snaking down the coffeeshop with a quiet confidence that suggests it’s earned its own following.

The Chicken: Tender, Honest, Unpretentious

The poached chicken arrives glistening under the soft glow of the lights. The drumstick I ordered was plump and well-cooked, retaining its juices beneath the silky skin. It is not flamboyant, but it is comforting, the kind that we will return to time and again.

What sets this stall apart is a thoughtful touch: a bowl of chicken feet and peanut soup is served with the meal, rich and earthy, a nod to traditional home-cooked flavours. At $5.50, the value is undeniable.

The rice is a little underwhelming on my day of visit. instead of standing firm, the grains blur together, leaning slightly too soft, even verging on mushy. The sesame oil, while aromatic, borders on overpowering—muting the nuanced chicken stock flavour that should be the soul of the dish.

The chilli sauce, however, is commendable—fiery with enough garlic to stand up to the richness of the chicken. And then there’s the minced ginger, a condiment so often neglected or done poorly, yet here, it’s sharp, bright, and welcome.

This Hua Kee is not the Redhill Hua Kee, but it offers its own version—a neighbourhood favourite with fair prices, decent chicken, and a loyal queue to prove its worth.