Some of the tastiest birds in town

Trek the vastness of Mega Bangna for long enough and mega-hunger will inevitably strike. Grumbling bellies then face the dilemma of which of the many restaurants they should point their legs to. Many head to Food Republic, where the choice is narrowed down to 25 stalls and mini restaurants serving a variety of local and international food. The star attraction here is undoubtedly the famed Singapore Chicken Rice corner for its authentic Chinese dishes cooked to tasty perfection. 

A signature eatery from Food Republic’s hometown, Singapore Chicken Rice’s simple but irresistible formula comprises fried rice served with boiled, fried or grilled chicken, plus stir-fried Chinese cabbage in oyster sauce and fried macaroni with chicken. 

Based on an old recipe, the rice is cooked in chicken broth then infused with flavour and aroma from pandan leaf, lemongrass, shallots and garlic. Vital to the flavour formula is pre-boiling the chicken until 70 to 80 per cent cooked so that the meat retains its juicy, rich texture. The broth is then poured over the fully cooked chicken and garnished with sesame oil and soy sauce. Warning: One mouthful of this fiendishly flavoursome concoction could leave you with a life-long addiction. 

Children may prefer something simpler. The fried chicken with lemon sauce – crispy outside, soft within – could be your best bet for the kids. The chicken fillets are fried in flour blended with mustard to give a yellow texture and an enticing smell. The grilled chicken, meanwhile, turns an appetising and aromatic deep red after being mixed with cinnamon and star anise. 

You can spice things up with three choices of special sauce – a sour Thai-style chilli, salty ginger and dark soy sauce. 

Other best-sellers to look out for on the menu are herbal rice served with boiled chicken, Chinese cabbage in oyster sauce and soup (Bt95), and rice with boiled and grilled chicken and soup (Bt98) – for an extra Bt15 they’ll top it off with herb-laced boiled egg.

 

BREAST IS BEST

Singapore Chicken Rice is at Food Republic on the second floor of Mega Bangna shopping centre. It’s open daily from 10 to 10.