The Dead Cockroach: 169 Hainanese Chicken Rice @ Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre

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As the stall that I am supposed to feature today is far from ready to open for the day, I began walking around to seek out another stall to review. My search brought me to this new chicken rice stall called 169 Hainanese Chicken Rice.

If I am not mistaken, the previous tenant serve chicken rice as well under the Super Mummy brand who owned several other stalls along the same row at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre.

The owner, Zhen Jie was crowned Super Mummy in a Mediacorp TV contest decades ago.

It is not clear if 169 Hainanese Chicken Rice is started by a new operator, or still owned by Zhen Jie but registered under a different name?

Since there is not much of a queue, I decided to take the opportunity to give them a try. Be reminded that this was an impromptu visit therefore, I did not do any research beforehand.

I was just about to raise my head to look at the menu on the signboard when the stall assistant reached out to ask for my order. With no clue as to what I was getting into, I opt for the chicken drumstick rice. I was caught a little by surprise when she collected $5.50 from me.

I do know the chicken drumstick is a prime part and I am prepared to pay more for it but this is the first time that I have been charged this much for a chicken drumstick. I could have gotten a roasted duck drumstick for roughly the same price.

For context, Heng Ji Chicken Rice at the same food centre charges $4.50 for the same thing while over at Maxwell Food Centre, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice and Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice charges $4.20 and $3.70 respectively.

I am perplexed why is the newcomer actually charging more than the established old timers? Very risky move.

My meal consisted of a plate of rice, a chicken drumstick served with sliced cucumber and a bowl of soup.

I did not expect the drumstick to be deboned and served separately on another Styrofoam plate doused in a concoction of soy sauce and oil.

The meat is thick yet succulent with a layer of gelatinous jelly under the skin.

However, I find the soy sauce too salty to the point that I could not taste the natural flavors of the chicken.

As for the rice, I like that it is not too greasy. Although on the drier side, the fragrance of the aromatics is on point, particularly the ginger.

Next, the grains are loosely separated except for some parts that are a bit more clumpy. However, they crumble at the slightest pressure from my tongue so no issue with that.

The soup was actually quite tasty with a hint of pepper though I suspect msg at work here. It is good to have to wash everything down.

Unlike most places that dilute their garlic chili with white vinegar, the one here is rather concentrated and packs a punch. Apart from the garlic chili, I also see dark soy on the counter.

I did not see any grated ginger.

After my meal, I went back to take photos of the stall front and I found out they have the $3, $4, $5 portions and a $4.50 set with bean sprouts as well.

As mentioned earlier, this wasn't a planned visit therefore I could not find out more about the menu in advance. If I did, I would have ordered the $4.50 set which I realized is more value for money than what I had.

They only serve poached chickens here so roasted chicken or soy sauce chicken are unavailable here.