Sunday, October 22, 2006

Alison Eating House, Lucky Plaza

Chicken Rice

I don't know if this was the "Lucky Chicken Rice" that was suggested recently, but this was the only chicken rice place that I could find on the second floor of Lucky Plaza, and it was called Alison Eating House instead. It was tucked away in the back (#02-66) with a big red signboard and a variety of rather attractive Chinese-style roast meat hanging away. I was actually passing through earlier this morning and also noticed them getting some of the ingredients ready...with such a big spread of neatly cut scallions laid out on the table, I knew I had to come back in a bit for lunch.

Prepping for the day

So I did. And this one I liked. While they were totally stingy on the meat (and they didn't even give me any soup to go with this), this meat was tender, tasty, and most importantly, had the secret key to my heart: a hint of sesame oil. They also had some alternate hot sauce that was darker than the usual chicken rice hot sauce and lacked the dragon-breath-inducing raw garlic, thus creating another plus for me (I think the dark sauce was actually meant for people who ordered noodles from this guy instead or something). Sure, the rice was a bit dry too, but that didn't matter to me as much when they got the taste right.

Roast Meat Hanging for SaleGood enough for me. While it was clearly not a home run due to the shortcomings mentioned above, it was good enough for me to want to come back next time I'm in the area. In my opinion, this is the bare minimum standard that chicken rice should adhere to. Anything less (and I've had a number of instances fit that description) is not good enough to warrant a repeat visit.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Try the chicken rice at the basement of Katong Shopping Centre, if it isn't too far. Tell me again, don't you ever EVER count the calories?

Anonymous said...

Hi, just stumbled upon your blog while searching for an authentic korean restaurant in Singapore. Nice to know another foodie who lives to eat. :)

Being away for 4 years, I can't to check out some of the places you've been to.

Have a good one!

Anonymous said...

looks like the darker hot sauce is for the other roasts he sells in your second picture- it goes great with the roast ducks and whathaveyou, however that doesnt do justice to chicken rice! :O

ahh the cravings... wish they had good versions of this stuff in the bay area...

Anonymous said...

Hi! I was the one who left you the comment about Lucky chicken rice. Let me give you better directions to it. Locate OCBC Bank, take the escalator to go one level up, turn left, walk past the lift lobby, turn right and you should see it. I hope you like it.

Anonymous said...

Hi hi..
:)

I just came back to Singapore after 4 years in Chicago..

Just stumbled onto your blog as i was searching what Hashima is actually made of :)

Cheers mate..

Anonymous said...

I love the chicken rice at Wee Nam Kee. It's directly opposite the Novena church. It might be a little salty for some, but I think it's possibly the best roasted chicken rice in Singapore.

hugewhaleshark said...

The Yong Tau Foo on the 6th Floor of Lucky Plaza is pretty decent go for the dry version and get the fried meatballs.

Another stall across the void from the YTF attracts quite a lot of attention too. I think it is Nasi Lemak or something...