A Singapore-based YouTuber with a profound affection for chicken rice has gone to extraordinary lengths to scientifically evaluate the dish. Angel Hsu, in her quest for the best chicken rice in the country, meticulously reviewed 100 different stalls, investing S$5,000 and dedicating two months to her gastronomic adventure.
Hunt for the best
To ensure a comprehensive assessment, Hsu not only sampled the chicken rice from each stall but also conducted bacteria tests on all the dishes at a certified laboratory. Surprisingly, her final verdict on the top stall might astonish readers.
In her video, Hsu introduced her methodology for ranking the numerous chicken rice establishments in Singapore. She established two criteria: each stall must have a minimum of 10 Google reviews, and in the case of multiple branches, she selected the one with the best reviews. Ultimately, after sifting through 100 chicken rice stalls, Hsu identified her four favorite establishments—two specialising in kampung chicken rice and two serving regular chicken rice.
Bacteria tests
Additionally, she analyzed each sample for bacterial content, taking all precautions such as wearing protective gear and using sealed bags to preserve the dishes while transporting them to the laboratory within four hours of purchase.
Specifically, Hsu focused on the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in each portion. Alarmingly, some stalls exhibited bacterial counts exceeding 490,000 units (cfu/g). In the interest of fairness, she sent the chicken rice samples for testing twice, yielding consistent results. Notably, Singaporean food safety regulations stipulate that the E. coli count in any ready-to-eat food should be below 100 units. Surprisingly, Hsu found that 50% of the stalls tested failed to meet this criteria.
Masters in Public Health
Hsu, a holder of a Masters in Public Health, stressed the potential health risks associated with consuming food with high levels of E. coli bacteria, which can lead to kidney failure. During her review, Hsu experienced daily diarrhea due to the high bacterial content in many of the chicken rice dishes she consumed.
The comprehensive analysis also factored in ratings from Hsu’s cameraman, considering aspects such as meat tenderness, rice fragrance, chili and soup flavor, and overall saltiness. Hsu provided viewers with a spreadsheet containing all her reviews.
Results
After considering all the variables, Hsu determined that Ah Five Hainanese Chicken Rice / Fried Rice / Porridge boasted the best soup, achieved by boiling the soup with over ten kampong chickens, radishes, and carrots. Kampong Chicken Eating House emerged as the stall with the most flavorful chili, while Ah Boy Chicken Rice (Mentor Eric Teo) stood out for its fragrant rice.
Hsu’s favorite overall experience was at Wee Kim Hainanese Chicken Rice in Yishun, praising their Hong Kong-style ginger and crunchy bean sprouts, along with the tender and juicy chicken meat.
Hsu concluded that the chosen stalls excelled at combining different elements to create a superior chicken rice experience, distinguishing them from other stalls where the rice quality compromised the overall enjoyment.