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Last month, I was tasked with covering the closure of Koufu at Millenia Walk, which also meant the unfortunate end of Hup Lee Claypot Rice. However, recently there were rumours that the stall would be relocating nearby under new ownership.
As someone who loves comparing the quality and standards of food over time, I couldn’t resist checking out whether the new owners could keep the old spirit alive. Now located at Big Appetite @ Suntec City on the third floor of Tower 3, the stall not only has new management but also a new name: Xin He Li.
What I tried at Xin He Li
There were two dishes I was genuinely excited about, as they were constantly raved about during their time at Millenia Walk.
First up was the Claypot Chicken Rice (S$8.80). Since I planned to try the chicken curry, I opted for the non-spicy version of this dish. First impressions weren’t as enticing as the photos I’d seen before, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t taste good.
A small tip to make sure to mix the rice thoroughly— that’s when the flavours really come through. The bottom layer of rice was nicely crisped, adding great texture to the dish. However, I was slightly disappointed to see only a few thin slivers of lap cheong scattered throughout, compared to the more generous portions in the past.
Flavour-wise, the dish had a decent amount of wok hei. While it was flavourful and smoky, it wasn’t as robust as I expected, based on previous reviews. Interestingly, it had a slight kick, even though I didn’t order the spicy version. Toward the bottom of the bowl, I found a stray dried chilli slice, which might have been the culprit. The chicken, however, was the star— tender and packed with flavour from the dark soy sauce.
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Next was the Claypot Chicken Curry (S$9.80). The spice level was decent, though a bit sweet for my taste. Online reviews mentioned that they’re generous with the chicken and potatoes. While I counted about four mid-sized chicken pieces, I was disappointed to find only two small potatoes in my dish.
The chicken was cooked perfectly— so tender I could easily pick the bones clean. However, they might want to consider using boneless options, as it was tempting to ditch the fork and spoon and eat with my hands— not the most demure or mindful choice in an outdoor setting.
The potatoes were also fork-tender, with both ingredients absorbing the curry’s flavours beautifully. The dish was best enjoyed with the rice, making for a simple yet heartwarming meal. I even found myself going back for a few sips of the curry on its own.
Some recent online comments mentioned that the gravy isn’t as thick as it used to be. However, in my experience, the curry was still thick enough, so I wonder if those comments were a one-off or if the issue has since been rectified.
Final thoughts
Overall, it was a satisfying meal that definitely left my belly full. Were there areas that could be improved? Sure. But with any change in ownership, there are bound to be a few bumps in the road. At the end of the day, the new owners at Xin He Li are off to a decent start, and they definitely have the potential to further improve and truly keep the spirit and essence of the original stall alive.
That said, my total bill was nearly S$20. If you plan to try more than one dish, I’d recommend sharing because I can’t imagine spending that much every time I want to visit and dine in.
Expected damage: S$9 – S$12 per pax
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