Before my mum retired, I often heard her mention “Margaret Drive Sin Kee Chicken Rice” as one of her go-to lunch spots. Situated within Chang Chen Mee Wah Coffee Shop at Holland Drive, this establishment has been dishing out plates of chicken rice since 1978.
Retaining its place in the Michelin Bib Gourmand list since 2018, it was previously located at the now-defunct Queenstown Centre near the library and Mei Chin Market & Food Centre, before occupying its current location.
When we got there at 11.45am, there was already an insanely long ‘L-shaped’ queue formed in front. There were at least 12 groups of people ahead of us. Fortunately, the line cleared pretty swiftly.
The stall serves only poached chicken (roast chicken fans, take note!). We wanted to try the liver but were disappointed that it was out of stock.
We ended up getting Chicken Rice (S$4.50 for medium), Chicken Thigh Rice (S$5.50) and a plate of Oyster Sauce Greens (S$3 for small).
While we tried to snap pictures of the uncle chopping the chicken, the lady assistant remarked, “You must pay money if you take photos!”. We were slightly taken aback by her comment.
I then recalled my mum saying that the lady has always been this way; arrogant and with an attitude.
What I tried at Margaret Drive Sin Kee Chicken Rice
Our stomachs were already rumbling and we were more than happy to start with the steamed Chicken Rice with breast meat. The stall doesn’t offer a clear broth like other stalls do.
Presentation was straightforward and unpretentious: a bed of chicken rice topped with chopped steamed chicken breast and thinly-sliced cucumber. A layer of oil was then drizzled over everything, resulting in a shiny, shimmering surface.
I’ve tried numerous chicken rice spots and there has been a common problem— the breast part is always drier than the thigh. How was it here? Well, unfortunately, though the meat was soft, it was the same situation here.
The chicken skin was present on only 2 of the slices, with the rest being skinless. Its texture was bouncy and moist, indicating that the chicken had undergone an ice bath right after getting poached.
And the rice? It was everything good chicken rice should be: aromatic, moist, perfectly cooked, and well seasoned. Every chicken rice establishment should use their rice as a benchmark.
I thought that I was one of those weirdos who enjoys drizzling dark soya sauce and chilli over rice before eating. Turns out, my intern Eunice does the same— I’ve finally found my tribe!
Before mixing the sauces with the rice, I had a hunch about how my experience would be (a good one). As I savoured each individual grain of rice, now tinged with a reddish, dark-brown hue, I closed my eyes with glee. It was so much more fragrant with a spicy and tangy punch— I was right!
We were so looking forward to the Oyster Sauce Greens that came dunked in a pool of gravy. The sauce was a little too watery and we had to be careful when carrying the plate for fear of spilling it all over.
When both of us took a bite, we discovered that the vegetable was a little undercooked, which caused it to have a slightly unpleasant raw taste.
New in town: Hai Ge Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice – Possibly the best halal chicken rice?
The gravy was a little too savoury for our taste, which only worsened with each consecutive spoonful. Eventually, we ended up not finishing our plate of veggies— sorry for wasting food!
Wishing to turn things around, we got our hopes up for our final plate of Chicken Thigh Rice. It was presented much like the first dish; this time we were not short-changed as each piece was served with a layer of luscious skin.
Compared to the breast portion, the thigh was on the opposite end of the spectrum— tender, velvety, and with a chewy texture that got us hooked. It was the saving grace of the day.
Final thoughts
To be honest, everything at Margaret Drive Sin Kee Chicken Rice was great except for the chicken breast and veggies. The rice was excellent, and the condiments like the chilli and ginger were appetite-inducing and perfectly spiced.
Given that the establishment is listed under the Michelin Bib Gourmand and my mum used to frequent it regularly, I was expecting everything to be flawless.
But as I’ve experienced before, I end up disappointed whenever my expectations are too high. For those who are regulars here, was your experience the same as mine? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Expected damage: S$4.50 to S$9 per pax
Hup Hong Chicken Rice: “Must eat” chicken rice with handmade achar & long queues daily
Price: $
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Margaret Drive Sin Kee Chicken Rice
40 Holland Drive, #01-39 , Singapore 270040
Margaret Drive Sin Kee Chicken Rice
40 Holland Drive, #01-39 , Singapore 270040
