12 Best Hainanese Curry Rice in Singapore that Rice to the Occasion!
Hainanese curry rice in Singapore ranks high on my list of ugly-delicious foods I can eat any day. Some picky eaters are put off by its humble econo-rice presentation, not knowing that they’re looking at an iconic local dish.
This comfort food reflects the Hainanese community’s fusion of local and colonial flavours with its thick, aromatic gravy generously ladled over crispy pork chop, braised pork belly, and stewed cabbage.
It’s easy on the pocket and filling on the tummy, so what’s not to like? That said, here are the top spots serving yummy curry rice in Singapore.
Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice
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Address: Floor 2 Tiong Bahru Market, 30 Seng Poh Rd, #02-67/68
Contact: +6596170052
Hours: Daily (except Thursday), 8.30 AM–2.45 PM
Price: $
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Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice is a Tiong Bahru icon where the mix of Hainanese and Nonya-style curries creates a rich umami bomb. It’s rare for crispy pork chops to stay crunchy under thick gravy, but this spot manages to do just that.
The sambal sotong added to the rice adds a spicy kick that lingers (perfect with carbs!). Don’t skip the braised cabbage for its soft flavour that ties the whole plate together in a messy, comforting way.
Pro-tip: There’s often a queue here, especially at lunchtime, but it moves pretty fast.
Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice
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Address: 229 Jln Besar
Contact: +6598261464
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–3.30 AM
Price: $
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Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice is as old-school as it gets, with its signature “scissors cut” method adding to the charm. The fried pork chop is cut at lightning speed and then drowned in a thick, savoury curry that seeps into every bite.
The braised pork belly melts in my mouth, balancing out the chop’s crispness. I’m glad that the stewed cabbage is there to mop up all that curry goodness when all the rice is gone!
Pro-tip: The stall accepts cash only as payment, so bring some when you visit.
Sin Chie Toke Huan Hainanese Curry Rice
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Address: 1018 Upper Serangoon Rd
Contact: +6590035337
Hours: Daily, 5 PM–2.30 AM
Price: $
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When I get hunger pangs late at night, I go to this gem of a hawker stall along Upper Serangoon Road for old-school Hainanese curry rice. It’s served just the way I like it: no frills, all flavour.
The prawn-paste chicken steals the show with its crunchy, umami-packed crust that stays juicy inside. It makes a nice break from pork, with the stewed cabbage ever-present to help soak up the rich curry like a sponge.
Pro-tip: Add some otah (spicy fish cake) for a flavourful, smoky kick to your dish.
Beo Crescent Curry Rice
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Address: Floor 1 Block 40 HDB, 40 Beo Cres
Contact: +656490-1111
Hours: Daily (except Wednesday), 7 AM–2.30 PM
Price: $
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I love it when almost every grain of rice is coated by the curry in my Hainanese curry rice. I can always count on Beo Crescent Curry Rice to do this, and then some.
The braised pork is tender and yields right away to each bite, but the fried pork chop surprisingly doesn’t become soggy! To add to the magic, the chap chye (mixed veggie stew) balances all that richness out.
Pro-tip: Pair your hearty meal with a glass of ice-cold homemade barley to wash down all that curry goodness.
Tian Tian Hainanese Curry Rice
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Address: Floor 1 Kimly Coffeeshop, 116 Bukit Merah View, #01-253
Contact: +6598210200
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM–9 PM
Price: $
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When I’m feeling a bit adventurous with my Hainanese curry rice quest, I go to Tian Tian. It offers a variety of side dishes that make me feel spoilt for choice despite being on a tight budget.
Aside from sambal sotong (spicy squid) and stewed cabbage, there are trays of beancurd skin, stir-fried long beans, braised eggs, and even luncheon meat to choose from!
The curry chicken that comes with the dish is fall-off-the-bone tender, and the braised tofu helps absorb all that yummy mess.
Pro-tip: Want to drown your meal further with curry? Just ask the vendors and they will happily oblige!
Victory Hainanese Curry Rice
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Address: 69 Geylang Bahru, #01-40
Contact: +6593390300
Hours: Daily, 9 AM–10 PM
Price: $
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Got a big appetite and a friend who can eat circles around you? I suggest going to Victory Hainanese Curry Rice which serves up a generous spread without breaking the bank, so you can share a meal without feeling unsatiated.
For a little over S$10, we got three kinds of meat, three veggies, and an egg which were all well-seasoned and tasty. Even the meatballs packed a punch and helped us sop up all the curry on our plates.
Pro-tip: Tanghoon (mung bean vermicelli) is tasty as a side dish on its own, but try it with a crispy fried egg for added texture.
Hong Seng Curry Rice
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Address: Floor 1 Redhill Food Centre, 85 Redhill Ln, #01-74
Contact: +6598762288
Hours: Daily, 9 AM–9.30 PM
Price: $
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Hong Seng Curry has been my family’s favourite for decades for its yummy but cheap eats. It serves up flavourful curry rice with all the right fixings, including radish omelette and ikan bilis (crispy anchovies) to add texture to the signature gravy.
We also like the French beans and stewed cabbage to balance out the rich curry sauce. And when we’re feeling extra indulgent, we order tempura prawns instead of the usual pork belly and chops.
Pro-tip: If you can’t have enough of the ikan bilis here, you can buy a pack for takeaway!
Havelock Hainanese Curry Rice
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Address: Floor 1 Sims Vista Market & Food Centre, 49 Sims Pl
Contact: +6562255632
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 6.30 AM–3.30 PM
Price: $
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For Hainanese curry rice purists, this Havelock hawker stall is an old-school must-visit.
It serves mildly spicy, slightly sweet curry that clings to every grain of rice. The pork chop is thin, lightly battered, and packed with a five-spice flavour that’s Hainanese through and through.
For something richer, try the slow-braised pork belly with its deep, aromatic flavours, including a subtle clove tang.
Pro-tip: Don’t give the chap chye here a pass—it has added dried shrimp that packs an umami punch for every bite.
2ThumbsUp Hainanese Curry House
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Address: Floor 5, 450 Clementi Ave 3, #01-271
Contact: +65 6901 1933
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9.30 AM–2.30 PM, 4–8 PM
Price: $
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I immediately noticed how the curry at 2ThumbsUp has a richer aroma than others I’ve tried before. There are options for crispy pork cutlet or tender chicken, with every bite drenched judiciously with flavourful gravy.
If you’re skipping pork, the chicken cutlet served with a sunny-side-up egg is a good alternative. Let the yolk mix into the curry and you’ll soon be in hog heaven!
Pro-tip: If your palate is feeling extra adventurous, give the tender, well-spiced mutton and smoky eggplant dish here a try.
Shun Lai Hainanese Curry Rice
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Address: Floor 1 The Grain Shop, Blk 365B Upper Serangoon Rd
Contact: +6591811197
Hours: Daily (except Tuesday), 10.30 AM–7.30 PM
Price: $
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Shuan Lai Hainanese Curry Rice may look unassuming, but its flavours are anything but. The thick and fragrant curry soaks into the rice and turns my messy plate into pure comfort food.
The pork belly has a deeply braised taste and mouthfeel and had no trouble melting into my mouth. The pork chop also has a unique taste, thanks to its tender and saucy preparation.
Pro-tip: Try the braised tau pok (beancurd puff) to help soak up the curry gravy with its deliciously soft sponginess.
22 Curry Rice
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Address: 48A Tanglin Halt Rd, #01 22
Contact: +65 9782 1012
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday, 10 AM–3 PM
- Friday to Saturday, 9 AM–3 PM
Price: $
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22 Curry Rice keeps it simple with homely, comforting flavours at wallet-friendly prices. The light, non-spicy curry coats the rice just enough without overpowering the natural taste of the dishes.
The crunchy bean sprouts and lightly seasoned aubergine add freshness without being greasy. Best of all, the food isn’t overly salty or sweet—just good, honest Hainanese curry rice done right.
Pro-tip: Some days, the stall is open as early as 7 AM!
Tiong Bahru Hainanese Curry Rice
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Address: Floor 2 Tiong Bahru Market, 30 Seng Poh Rd, #02-78
Contact: +65 8809 8334
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30 AM–4.30 PM
Price: $
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Tiong Bahru Hainanese Chicken Curry Rice is a one-man show where the friendly uncle cooks everything himself. He also custom-mixes the sauces for every plate!
His generosity shows in the meal portions; expect your rice to be drenched in rich, flavourful curry unless you tell him otherwise. The pork chop is so good I always find myself buying extra for dinner!
Pro-tip: Another must-try here is the steamed pork ball which is soft enough to fall at first bite.