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Unorthodox HCR Vina style

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Wandering hungry through Footscrazy on a wintry Wednesday lunchtime. I happened upon a relatively new establishment - Rice Pho & Rolls . My first thought was to sample their delicious looking Bánh cuốn - then I noticed they served HCR - well of course I had to try it. Oh so very delicious - if apparently unorthodox by the Singaporean or Malaysian standard...I had no idea that this was also a real Vietnamese favourite - cơm gà Hải Nam! The first thing that struck me was the characteristic yellow skin of the Vietnamese style steamed chicken.  Basically the chicken is steamed and then turmeric mixed with sesame oil is brushed onto the skin - for both the colour and to help seal it and stop the bird from drying out. The rice in this version was very molded and kind of crunchy on the outside and absolutely redolent with classic Vietnamese flavour - topped with dill and fried shallots. Unlike its Malaysian counterpart - there was no ginger sa...

Home Made HCR

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I like to start at home.  

Chinatown Smith St Food Centre Singapore

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The quest must begin in Singers - we made our way to the Chinatown  Food Centre for a quintessential Singers Hawker Food Hall experience at Heng Ji Chicken Rice. The long queue announced the stall, as one of us quickly nabbed a newly vacated seat by placing a packet of tissues on it. Beer was acquired while I waited patiently in the line. Behold - the pale flesh nestled with the delicious burnished skin. Heng Ji's rice has a lovely oily sheen and so, so fragrant. Interestingly, rather than the usual spicy garlic chilli sauce mix which comes with CR - Heng Ji serves a sweeter, garlic free version. The deluxe version from Heng Ji - came with bok choi in oyster sauce.