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When it comes to chicken rice, the first image that strikes our minds is usually a plate of tenderly poached chicken resting on an aromatic bed of flavoured rice. However, with more eateries introducing their very own interpretation of this global dish, chicken rice now comes in various forms for us to enjoy.
Tucked in the food enclave of Sims Vista Market & Food Centre is Green Chilli Chicken Rice, a humble stall selling only one dish on the menu, and it’s none other than Green Chilli Chicken Rice (S$4.80).
Truth to be told, it was my first time stepping foot into Sims Vista Market & Food Centre. Thankfully, the line of diners queuing to get their chicken rice craving fixed made it an easy feat locating the stall which was situated along the dimly lit aisle at the centre.
Also known as nasi ayam chilli hijau, Mr Mustajab has been selling his signature Green Chilli Chicken Rice since 1999 before he relocated to the current location in 2014. With time, the stall has won the hearts of many patrons with this simple yet hearty dish.
For less than S$5, each serving of Green Chilli Chicken Rice comes with a heap full of basmati rice, alongside some keropok, a portion of chicken thigh topped with the famous green chilli mixture and a dollop of sambal. Not forgetting endless refills of free chicken soup served piping hot which you can help yourself to, buffet style!
What better way is there to start off the meal than with some keropok? Made using fish paste, these savoury crackers were a perfect complement to the dish. Not only did they have a nice crisp texture, they were very slightly salted, going hand-in-hand with the piquant flavours of the homemade sambal.
I love my carbohydrates plump, moist, and slightly sticky, thus basmati rice is usually not my grain of choice. With that said, I was pleasantly surprised after my first mouthful as it was unexpectedly light and fluffy, yet not dry at all. The long, slender grains offered a distinct mouthfeel that was nutty with a subtle woody aroma—yummy, I would say.
Moving onto the highlight of the dish—the green chilli chicken. Now, where do I start?
Disclaimers first; if you are looking for a juicy slab of chicken thigh, this might not be what you are expecting. Fried for only a minute or two, the marinated chicken was crisp on the surface. It might not be particularly moist, but it was definitely tender enough to enjoy.
The chicken was very well-seasoned with a sweet-savoury marinade pairing wonderfully with the tangy green chilli. But don’t be fooled by its deceiving looks as this innocent looking mixture sure packed a punch that will make your scalp sweat—just as it did to mine!
What I particularly enjoyed about this plate of Green Chilli Chicken Rice was joy in rummaging the entire chicken thigh for bits and pieces of meat hiding in between. For maximum enjoyment, I would highly recommend you to get your hands dirty. Just suck and savour the entire thing.
Yes, there might only be one dish on the menu, but the medley of flavours and texture in just the Green Chilli Chicken Rice alone is enough to attract diners back for more. If you are around the area, give this and try and trust me, you will not regret it!
Expected Damage: S$4.80 – S$5.30 per pax
