Woman Says She’s Had “The Best Chicken Rice Ever” In New York; Turns Out It’s From A S’porean’s Eatery In Manhattan

But dare we say, she did have arguably one of the best plates of chicken rice from a stall opened by a Singaporean.

Yes, we Singaporeans love our chicken rice.

While we might debate over which stall on this little red dot reigns supreme, one New Yorker is boldly claiming she found “the best chicken rice ever” in Manhattan.

In a video, TikToker @zoekatebaby is having roast chicken rice during her lunchbreak. “It is the most tender, insane, like the most delicious, ever. And it is so filling, and it also comes with chicken broth and scallions in it,” she raved.

She even highlighted the holy trinity of condiments — black sauce, chilli, and garlic — before showing the tenderness of the chicken meat.

According to the @zoekatebaby’s location tag, the stall is at Vanderbilt Market, 230 Park Avenue, where Lou Yau Kee Chicken Rice operates.

Lou Yau Kee Chicken Rice used to be helmed Singaporean Raymond Kiang as a chef, who moved to New York in 2022.

Raymond has serious credentials as his father is the late Kiang Joon Toh, one of the creators of the legendary Chatterbox chicken rice.

Fondly known as Sergeant Kiang, he passed away on April 23 last year at the age of 86.

So yes, while she wasn’t in Singapore, @zoekatebaby plate of chicken rice in Manhattan might just be the closest you can get to perfection overseas.

Naturally, the video went viral, with Singaporeans giving their stamp of approval.

“I’m Singaporean Hainanese, and it is so strange and unreal to know there is Hainanese chicken rice in New York. It looks good!” one commented.

“I’m surprised they gave you chopsticks. I think most of us (Singaporeans) just use a spoon to pick up the rice, but the food looks authentic,” another quipped.

Some even went as far as to invite her to Singapore, recommending their favourite stalls.

Even Singapore Tourism Board joined the discussion, commenting under its Visit Singapore TikTok account: “Everyone’s inviting you over, plenty more chicken rice spots waiting for you in Singapore”.

This TikToker claims to have found "the best chicken rice ever" in Manhattan. Seriously?

Of course, we can't forget the holy trinity of condiments

Come to think of it, it does look legit, right?

The TikToker had her meal from Lou Yau Kee Chicken Rice, owned by Singaporean Raymond Kiang, who moved to New York in 2022

Raymond’s father is the late Kiang Joon Toh, one of the creators of the legendary Chatterbox chicken rice

Raymond (far right) with his siblings Susan (far left), Alvin (second from right) and father Sgt Kiang (second from left)

Photos: zoekatebaby/TikTok, Lou Yau Kee/IG

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