Claypot rice is a dish that reminds me of my childhood as my family used to have it every other week. The humongous, steaming claypots are always a spectacle to behold (and taste). It’s a traditional dish that’s stayed popular over the years, and for good reason. Nothing really screams comfort food like a generous serving of claypot rice, so here are 10 claypot rice spots in Singapore that’ll give you a good taste of nostalgia.
1. Bao Fa Traditional Food 宝发传统小食
Not gonna lie, the West might just be giving the East a run for its money when it comes to good food, and fronting that list with comfort food-style claypot rice is Bao Fa Traditional Food in Bukit Batok. It offers a range of other comforting dishes of rice and noodles, so every visit will leave you spoilt for choice.
Their rice is cooked to order and will set you back S$10 for 2 pax. It’s an affordable option for lunch with a friend. Topped with salted fish and drizzled generously with chilli, this is something that will definitely be travelling to Bukit Batok for.
283 Bukit Batok East Avenue 3, Singapore 650283
+65 6561 0607
Fri to Wed: 11.30am – 9pm
Closed on Thu
2. New Lucky Claypot Rice (新鸿运瓦煲饭)
No list of claypot rice places in Singapore can ever be complete without New Lucky Claypot Rice (新鸿运瓦煲饭). Located in Holland Drive Market & Food Centre, the stall has retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand award every year since 2017.
During peak hours, the wait can go up to 90 minutes. Despite this, people are still willing to wait, so you know they must be doing something right.
Their signature Claypot Wu Wei Rice (S$10/S$15 for two pax, S$15/S$20 for three pax, S$20/S$25 for four pax) comes with a hearty selection of ingredients which includes salted fish and lup cheong (Chinese sausage).
Cooked over charcoal, the rice retains a delectable smoky flavour. You can also find crispy charred bits of rice stuck to the pot—the most flavourful bits, in my opinion.
44 Holland Drive, Holland Drive Market & Food Centre, #02-19, Singapore 270044
+65 6778 7808
Mon & Tue: 11am – 12.30pm & 5pm – 8pm
Thu to Sun: 11am – 1pm & 5pm – 8pm
Closed on Wed
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3. Yong Nian Claypot Chicken Rice (永年瓦煲鸡饭)
Located just a five-minute walk away from Clementi MRT station, you can easily find Yong Nian Claypot Chicken Rice (永年瓦煲鸡饭). The owner, who hails from Taiping, Malaysia, inherited the secrets and recipes from her father. He used to run an empire of claypot rice stalls which dates back to 1983 in their hometown.
Their signature Claypot Chicken Rice 瓦煲飯 (S$6.50) is cooked in a special claypot that’s handcrafted in and imported from Taiping. They season the large and juicy chicken chunks with a secret-recipe marinade, making it extremely flavourful. The dish also comes with thick slices of lup cheong, an absolute dream for lup cheong lovers like me.
Block 325, Clementi Avenue 5, #01-129, Singapore 150127
+65 8133 0032
Mon to Sat: 10am – 3pm
Closed on Sun
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4. Geylang Claypot Rice (芽笼砂煲饭)
Previously located in Geylang, the famous Geylang Claypot Rice (芽笼砂煲饭) has recently been revamped. Their brand new outlet in Beach Road features a brighter and cosier environment while preserving the same old-school flavours all Singaporeans know and love.
With over 30 years of history, the long-established brand is most popular for its Signature Claypot Rice (S$16.80/S$28.80/S$38.80). The dish consists of a wide selection of ingredients including chicken, bits of salted fish, pork belly and vegetables.
The chicken was seasoned impeccably, resulting in a flavourful bite that was tender and juicy. I mean, is there any woe that can’t be solved without a comforting bowl of claypot rice?
361/363/365 Beach Road, Singapore 199576
+65 6744 4574
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm & 5pm – 10pm
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5. Yew Chuan Claypot Rice (酉川沙煲饭)
Golden Mile Food Centre is home to many great eats in the CBD area, but Yew Chuan Claypot Rice (酉川沙煲饭) is undeniably one of the most popular ones there.
Run by a husband-and-wife duo, the stall has been in business for almost 20 years. But unlike many other stalls out there, they serve one dish, and one dish only.
Their Claypot Chicken Rice 沙煲鸡饭 (S$6/S$12/S$18/S$24/S$30) comes in many different sizes, ranging from portions for one up to a large group. Every claypot comes with unbelievably tender pieces of chicken, which they flavour with their secret-recipe marinade.
What’s also unique is that, over here, they serve two types of lup cheong. The different levels of sweetness added another dimension of flavours to every bite and makes for a memorable meal worth raving about.
505 Beach Road, Golden Mile Food Centre, #01-73, Singapore 199583
+65 9137 5661
Tue, Wed & Fri: 12pm – 8.30pm
Sat & Sun: 3pm – 8.30pm
Closed on Mon & Thu
6. Broadway Claypot Rice (百樂匯砂煲飯)
Nestled in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio, Broadway Claypot Rice (百樂匯砂煲飯) has always been my family’s go-to place for claypot rice. With more than 30 years of history, the stall is well-known in the area, and they’ve shown themselves deserving of that title.
Over here, you get to choose between two types of claypot rice: Kampong Chicken 山芭雞 (S$9/S$11/S$17/S$22/S$26) and Normal Chicken 普通雞 (S$8/S$10/S$15/S$24).
If you’re one of those who absolutely love the burnt bits of rice at the sides of the claypot, this is the place to go. They’re notorious for always slightly overcooking their rice, creating a burnt layer which I simply adore.
727 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, #01-4236, Singapore 560727
+65 8622 8632
Daily: 11am – 8.30pm
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7. Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice (联合本记煲饭)
A 40-year-old establishment in Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice (联合本记煲饭) prides itself on delivering nostalgic flavours with traditional cooking methods. Despite its unassuming location in the hawker centre, the stall faces a staggering long line of customers each day, with the wait time sometimes hitting an hour.
Their most popular dish, the Mixed Rice (S$10), contains the ingredients of all the other claypot rice renditions. From lup cheong to salted fish, this dish has everything.
However, it was the generous chunks of chicken meat that sealed the deal for us. Succulent and perfectly chewy, the chicken had clearly soaked up the fragrance and flavour of the soya sauce. My mother always says that good things come to those who wait, and this definitely proved the validity of that statement.
335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, #02-197/198/199, Singapore 050335
+65 6227 2470
Fri to Wed: 4.30pm – 11pm
Closed on Thu
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8. Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice (源源砂煲饭)
Tucked away in the same hawker centre as Wow Wow West, Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice (源源砂煲饭) serves up not only claypot rice but also nourishing soups. The owner is currently in his 70s and runs the stall in ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre together with his family.
They’re popular for using hua diao wine in their Famous Claypot Rice (S$10/S$15/S$20/S$25). This enhances the aroma and taste of the dish, making it all the more irresistible.
Cooking their claypot rice over a charcoal fire also gives it a prominent smoky taste. The smokiness forms a perfect pairing with the umami flavours of the chicken and lup cheong.
6 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-38, Singapore 150006
+65 6276 5259
Fri to Mon: 4pm – 9pm
Closed Tue to Thu
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9. Sembawang Traditional Claypot Rice (三巴旺原味煲仔饭)
Located near the famous white bee hoon place, White Restaurant, Sembawang Traditional Claypot Rice (三巴旺原味煲仔饭) serves up delectable bowls of steaming rice that’ll make you plan your second visit back even before you’ve finished your meal.
Their signature dish, the Claypot Rice (S$8.80/S$13.80/S$19.80) comes with chicken, mushroom and Chinese sausages. Mix well with some black soya sauce and oil and you’ll taste the fragrance of the sauce seeping through.
While they specialise in claypot rice, their Claypot Seafood Da Lu Mian (S$8.80/S$13.80) is also a hit amongst customers. The sizzling pot of seafood, runny egg and noodles will surely satisfy those seafood and bee hoon cravings of yours.
4 Jalan Tampang, Singapore 758948
+65 6757 7144
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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10. Le Chasseur
Its name might not sound like it but Le Chasseur in Eunos actually might just be your next favourite place to get a steaming bowl of rice.
The Singaporean owner-chef used to live in East Africa and owned a restaurant of the same name there. However, his restaurant in Singapore actually features zi char-style dishes that are familiar to our Singaporean palates.
Of their wide menu of Asian-inspired dishes, their Claypot Rice (S$12.50/S$23) receives the most praise. Despite the long waiting times, people are still willing to queue, and if there’s anything that indicates the quality of a dish, it’s the dedication that Singaporeans have in waiting to buy it.
We heard they also provide a satisfyingly spicy sambal belacan that pairs incredibly well. Why not give your spice tolerance a test while you’re at it?
27 Eunos Road 2, Singapore 409387
+65 6337 7677
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 9.30pm
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