The name has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Mat Noh & Rose Authentic Ginger Fried Chicken Rice. That was pretty much all I knew about this halal stall at Whampoa Food & Market Centre when I made my way there this morning.
I realise that I prefer it that way— a clean slate with no preconceptions is the perfect way to begin a review.
It can be quite a chore to find the place, though. Just remember to go to Block 91, which is the food centre and not the market that’s adjacent. Mat Noh & Rose Authentic Ginger Fried Chicken Rice is the corner stall furthest from the food centre car park.
What I tried at Mat Noh & Rose Authentic Ginger Fried Chicken Rice
The chatty Auntie (Rose, I presume) at the stall is very helpful in helping you choose what you want. She rattled away the options step-by-step.
I ordered the Standard Chicken Rice ($4.50) and added-on Tofu ($0.50) and Stir-fry Vegetables ($1), making my total S$6. If you love Begedil ($1) as I do, you’ll want to come early— they were all sold out by late morning when I arrived.
You cannot help but be pleased with the serving size. A slighter-bigger-than-usual mound of rice and a reasonably large piece of chicken breast (you can choose between breast and wing) dominated the plate.
On one side, there were 3 slices of cucumber and a couple of lettuce leaves. A bowl of (not so) clear soup rounded up the standard set.
To most of us, chicken rice automatically means the Chinese-style with steamed or roasted chicken cut into thin strips. The Malay version here is fried chicken served without being cut up. It is distinctive for the bright orange colour of the chicken skin.
I was especially curious about where the ginger was infused into this dish. Trying a bit of the chicken in eager anticipation, I was disappointed to not be immediately hit by a rush of ginger flavour. While the meat was tender— which contrasts perfectly with the crunchy skin— it did not have that oomph which I had assumed it would from the stall’s name.
It’s a bit of a build-up, I suppose, as I got a stronger sense of the ginger essence as I ate. Now that I think of it, I appreciate the slow ascent to the flavour summit that characterises the chicken at this stall. The placid approach pays greater dividends.
This stall apparently uses basmati rice but I found that the long-grain’s nutty flavour was overwhelmed by the chicken. Still, basmati grains feel different and make for interesting mouthfuls.
Sprinkled liberally over the chicken were these small crispy orange bits that I had assumed were bits of chicken skin. No, they are bits of fried flour that add some excellent texture to each bite!
The tofu was nice and tender, too. However, I would skip on the Stir-fry Vegetables— $1 for the small portion doesn’t offer much value for money.
On the other hand, the vegetables were certainly prepared well. Their slightly soft-slightly firm mouthfeel was a good companion to the rice and chicken.
This is going to sound so strange but one of the highlights for me was the chilli and the soy sauce. I found both to be some of the best I have had with any chicken rice order, ever. The latter was an especially happy surprise— the little bits of chilli in it added more fiery flavour than their diminutive size suggested.
Final thoughts
From my clean-slate perspective, Mat Noh & Rose Authentic Ginger Fried Chicken Rice was a refreshing change from the usual plate of chicken rice (I would not give those up for the world, mind you). Their subtle infusion of ginger creates a wonderfully fragrant journey with an excellent, delectable conclusion.
Their signature dish just would not be the same without the crispy bits of flour and the excellent, excellent spicy soy sauce.
If you’re looking for an especially unique plate of chicken rice, Mat Noh & Rose Authentic Ginger Fried Chicken Rice is one of the best choices out there.
Expected damage: $3 – $6.50 per pax
Evertop Family Restaurant, Joo Chiat: Affordable halal boneless chicken rice in the East
Price: $
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Mat Noh & Rose Authentic Ginger Fried Chicken Rice
Block 91 Whampoa Drive, Whampoa Makan Place, #01-27 , Singapore 320091
Mat Noh & Rose Authentic Ginger Fried Chicken Rice
Block 91 Whampoa Drive, Whampoa Makan Place, #01-27 , Singapore 320091
