Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice

We had a dinner meetup with friends at Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice, conveniently located right beside the popular Taiwanese porridge spot that I enjoy. This area is quite a foodie destination, with several eateries clustered around the same stretch.

Parking, however, can be a little tricky, especially during peak dining hours, as available lots are limited. If you’re driving over for dinner, it’s worth factoring in some extra time to find a parking space.

Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice

The barley drink had a simple, homely taste that made it an easy choice to accompany our meal. It was light and refreshing without being overly sweet. Besides barley, they also offer other drinks such as coconut, Ai-Yu Jelly and lime juice for those looking for something different.

Barley

The Quarter Kampong Chicken arrived beautifully plated, with the chicken skin glistening under the light and coated in a savoury seasoning. The meat looked tender and juicy, and even on its own, the chicken was flavourful enough to enjoy without needing much else.

Quarter Kampong Chicken

Taking a closer look at the chicken, the skin had a smooth, glossy finish while the meat underneath appeared soft and tender. Each bite carried the savoury seasoning, making it a satisfying piece of kampong chicken to enjoy on its own.

Yummy Chicken Pieces

The Quarter Salted Braised Duck did not disappoint. The duck was neatly sliced into fairly uniform pieces, with a tender texture that was easy to enjoy. The seasoning was savoury and flavourful, though some parts at the base tasted a little saltier from the accumulated seasoning. Overall, it was a satisfying dish with good texture and plenty of flavour.

Quarter Salted Braised Duck

The Cai-Poh Omelette is a classic dish and a favourite at home, but this version came with a slightly different presentation. Instead of the usual loose omelette, it was cooked into a round, pancake-like shape, neatly encasing the cai poh (pickled vegetables) within. The egg wrapped everything up nicely, giving it a presentable finish while striking a pleasant balance between the egg's mild sweetness and the savoury saltiness of the cai poh.

Cai-Poh Omelette

The Hainanese Chap Chye had that comforting, homely taste that made it a lovely accompaniment to our bowls of chicken rice. With a mix of vegetables cooked until tender and coated in a light savoury sauce, it was a simple yet satisfying dish that added some greens to the meal.

Hainanese Chap Chye

The Hainanese Claypot Mutton Soup arrived bubbling hot in a traditional claypot, filled with mutton, beancurd skin, red dates and goji berries. The herbal aroma was inviting, with a comforting broth that made this a rather unique find, especially since this type of soup isn't commonly found at many eating places in Singapore.

Hainanese Claypot Mutton Soup

Served generously with pieces of mutton and beancurd skin swimming in the herbal broth, this soup was both hearty and comforting. The meat was tender, while the light herbal notes in the broth made it an enjoyable dish to have alongside the rest of our meal.

Tender mutton and Beancurd skin

A spoonful of the mutton revealed tender meat that came apart easily, accompanied by beancurd skin and herbs from the soup. The mutton carried a gentle herbal flavour from the broth, making each spoonful warm, savoury and comforting.

Tender Mutton from Hainanese Claypot Mutton Soup

Last but not least, the Braised Pork Trotters arrived looking incredibly tempting, drenched in a rich, glossy sauce that immediately brought out those traditional flavours. Served with chestnuts and broccoli, it was a hearty and comforting dish that rounded off our meal nicely.

Braised Pork Trotters

The close-up showed just how generous the pork trotter was, with tender meat and layers of collagen-rich skin coated in the savoury braising sauce. The chestnuts added a slightly sweet, nutty contrast, while the broccoli brought some freshness to this hearty dish.

Close-up of tender braised pork trotter with chestnuts and broccoli

What accompanied the whole spread of dishes? Of course, it had to be the fragrant chicken rice! Each grain was nicely coated with flavour and carried that savoury, aromatic taste that made it delicious even on its own. It was the perfect pairing with the chicken, duck and other dishes we had for dinner.

Chicken Rice

Overall, our dinner at Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice turned out to be a satisfying spread of comforting, traditional flavours. From the fragrant chicken rice and tender kampong chicken to the salted braised duck, homely cai poh omelette, unique claypot mutton soup and hearty braised pork trotter, there was plenty to enjoy and share with friends. With its variety of dishes and convenient location among other eateries, it is a place worth considering if you are in the area and looking for a hearty Hainanese meal.

Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice
Location: 389 Changi Rd, Singapore 419838