Claypot Rice - The Biggest Hawker Centre in Singapore

Chinatown Complex Food Centre is one of the biggest and I think one of the best hawker centers in Singapore. Get more details here: migrationology....
If you’re looking for a hawker centre in Singapore that has everything (mostly on the Chinese side) of Singaporean food you can think of, you’ve got to check out Chinatown Complex Food Centre. It’s one of the biggest and busiest hawker food courts in all of Singapore, and when you arrive there you’ll be in a food paradise. The main reason I went there when I was in Singapore was to eat at Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice, a legendary hawker stall that specializes in rice and chicken cooked in a claypot. It took me about 15 minutes to find the stall, and when I found it, I tried to order, only to find out there was a 1 hour long wait to get the food. So I decided to wait it out. I happen to come on a very busy evening, so it was extremely busy, probably much busier than if you were to come on an off peak time.
While I was waiting for my claypot rice to cook, my wife and I samples a few other things in the hawker centre, including some Singapore style fresh poh pia. The poh pia included a thin crepe that was filled with an assortment of vegetables and seasonings, then wrapped up into an egg roll shape, but it wasn’t deep fried. Poh pia is one of those snacks that falls somewhere in between a savory snack and a dessert - it’s both sweet and salty all at the same time. I enjoyed it, but it was a little on the sweet side for me to eat often. Next, we decided to get a plate of chicken wings, which in Singapore are often available at food courts, and they make a delicious pre-meal snack. These chicken wings were excellent. Finally, we also got a bowl of ice kacang, the Singapore version of a shaved ice. The ice kacang was also very sweet, but very refreshing.
Finally, after an hour and a half, our claypot chicken rice from Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice was ready. The claypot arrived to our table, steaming hot, and right off the fire. I really enjoyed watching them make the claypot rice. One of the reasons it took so long to make was because they cook it from start to finish, including the rice, as you order it. A mixture of raw rice and water are added to the claypot, then after cooking for sometime, a mixture of chicken, vegetables, Chinese sausage, and some seasonings gets added to the rice, then cooked for a precise amount of time until everything melts together in a harmony of flavors and a crust of rice on the bottom that has a smoky charred flavor. It was excellent, pure comfort food for me.
Chinatown Complex Food Centre was one of my favorite Chinese food courts in Singapore for the variety of food available and for the crazy hectic atmosphere. When you go, definitely try out Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice, but also, there are a few hundred other things to choose from.
Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice
Address: 335 Smith St, Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Open hours: 4 pm - 11 pm (closed on Thursday)
Prices: Depending on the size of claypot you get, I had the $12 pot
How get there: Just a short walk from Chinatown MRT
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[@sadhanaray123]

Mark , you are a wonderful person with a charming smile and a very positive attitude. I love your videos. Wish you the best. Great going, son !

[@chigurl7739]

mark inspires people to eat,and enjoy what you eat,br willing to try new things,step out of the norm, and be willing to travel for food! i love it

[@aaliyaharunkhan2957]

I m addicted to ur videos bcoz u explain every bite u take instead of eating peacefully👍

[@mercywangari1738]

this thing is so addictive i just cant stop watching and getting hungry at the same time...the happiest man on earth for sure

[@jeangian1781]

Thank you very much for your recommendations with the joy you have while trying out the dishes. Your videos are awesomely done and makes one desire to eat at the outlets. Appreciate all the information you have added in for easy location as well as your comments. Thanks again! Hope to see more of your productions!

[@bansiang97]

For the popiah is made with chinese style rice paper. And for the ingredients in it is prawn paste, sambal chilli, slow cooked turnip, any type of vegetable and roasted peanuts bits.

[@fangcooks5643]

All your videos just bring back all those wonderful memories i had in Singapore last year. Thanks so much!

[@MarkWiens]

+FangCooks Thanks!

[@tanbengsiong9257]

hi mark, this Claypot Rice if i'm not wong they oper more than 40yrs and is a must eat Claypot Rice at singapore Chinatown Complex Food Centre.👍👍👍👍👍

[@aads13]

Hey Mark! So this claypot dish has been made by my parents quite often because of its simplicity. The easiest way to eat this dish is to scoop out all the rice into a bowl and then use the spoon to slowly etch out all the crunchy rice. The best part is the crunchy rice and is TOTALLY worth the effort.

[@annecorey607]

I have eaten there many time love shopping in China town with my sister she love it there she go there almost every day. Thank you for your beautiful video and show me lots of foods you eat make me home sick in Singapore..

[@Velostergdi]

Mark you make me miss my home Singapore but I am happy you and ying enjoyed this hawker centre and the experience. Cheers!

[@MarkWiens]

+Veloster 1337 Thanks!

[@jamielim5059]

Greetings from Singapore 🇸🇬 this is my favourite Claypot Rice @Chinatown 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@qinghui30]

Nothing beats the fragrance of a steaming hot claypot of chicken sausage rice! Great video Mark! You never fail to make me hungry with every video you make!(:

[@MarkWiens]

+QingHui Er Thank you very much!

[@Aziiio]

Ouuu yeaa. My mom made these all the time when i was younger. I always loved the crispy rice at the bottom of the pot xD The best part

[@justdheetwentythree6485]

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[@pongodongo645]

Honestly, I feel that the salted fish is the best part of claypot rice. :)

[@annecorey607]

Love all this foods in China town we go there when ever we viste the family.s love it they doing some shopping. Most the time is shopping for Chinese food to bring home to Spain. Very good for you both to be in Singapore ,thank you good video .

[@TheRoxana211]

Dont start your day with broken pieces of yesterday.Every day is a fresh start.Each day is a new beginning.Every morning we wake up is the first day of our new life. My beautiful and god food in Singapore!:)

[@txemasebastian1359]

It looks delicious!! Thanks for your videos Mark! Best wishes from Barcelona!

[@vegasjase]

Loved it Mark! As always love that you highlight the hawker fare and off the beat places for us!

[@tomhidajat9559]

Selamat pagi Ying and Mark. I can not wait for the Jakarta videos. Your videos are absolutely entertaining and unique.

[@bansiang97]

For the clay pot rice sauce is a combination of dark soy sauce and vegetable oil. Some of the stall will add in a little bit of a fish sauce.

[@geminiproject062]

Ohhhh my god that looks SO GOOD!!!! I've been to Singapore a couple times but I've never had this. I must try this one day. Looks absolutely phenomenal

[@diannelinam2407]

OMG Chicken feet! Also the Clayton chicken!! Boy those really bring back childhood!! Thank you for posting this!

[@jbuzzy]

Mark I can see why those nice ladies told you that you must try this dish. The clay pot dish looked wonderful. Thanks for your hard work.

[@MarkWiens]

+Lek Buzzy Thank you watching Lek. Those ladies were right!

[@25bmax]

Thanks for showing me the location! I will be going back next year to have my first clay pot in China Town.

[@dashingmay]

darn, that claypot is fit for two!! Can't wait to try it when I visit Singapore!!

[@sherwitme26]

Hey Mark! Jakarta, Indonesia is just 1.5 hours flight from Singapore. Please come by! Try nasi padang, empek-empek (fish cake), satay, chicken noodle (we have plenty different versions of it), oxtail soup, various kinds of super spicy sambal, seafood, soto, street style chicken porridge, and many more. Don't forget to add kecap manis whenever you want to! :)

[@MarkWiens]

+sherwitme26 I'm in Jakarta now!

[@sherwitme26]

+Mark Wiens OMG! Please let me know if I can offer you any recommendations or help!

[@ichiarie]

+Mark Wiens cant wait for your Jakarta - series video! try Ayam Penyet, you must be liking it a looootttt

[@sandylukemarsden7160]

Ever since Tony Bourdain ate that stuff I've wanted to try it. Thanks for another great video Mark.....

[@justinlacanaria3657]

Wow i am dying of hunger here, i always feel better, when i see your reaction to the food, you always make me happy.

[@SpoonForkHeart]

Amazing video, all of the food looked delicious! I think Singapore is going on my list of places to visit this year :-)

[@MarkWiens]

+Spoon Fork Heart Thank you, yah you should definitely visit!

[@alliemollie]

Yummmmm! Perfect dish for the winter, Mark, although it must have been really hot to eat that in Singapore. Just made clay pot rice (only with sausages) during Chinese New Year ... did so by building a makeshift charcoal pit in the backyard. So much fun and flavor. Yours looks great too. Next time, pour in the soy sauce and immediately cover back up to "steam" rice with sauce for a couple more minutes before devouring the goodness. That's how we usually do it.

[@MarkWiens]

+allmyjm Thank you for the tips. Yah, this would be perfect in cold weather.

[@kurlexchoi]

That one hour is a long wait, but is a reasonable time since they have to make that claypot rice from scratch instead of pre-made.

[@forteandblues]

1 and a half in the end…

[@RituMakhijaritumak]

Yep. It's 1am and now I'm hungry.

[@mrmanna5320]

hahaha literally the same situation here

[@pilc3955]

3 am in France, and nothing to eat :'(

[@ProductionSktT]

+Pilc LeNinja ah toi aussi? ^^'

[@Happy-ff6zv]

+Mohd Naufal ... What do you mean by 'literally'?

[@Happy-ff6zv]

+ProductionSktT ... How Lian. Takut orang tak tahu engkau tak tahu French. 惊人嘸知影你 ㄟ 暁French 。

[@unfailinglove23]

I'm glad you enjoyed food in Singapore mark! We love our hawker centres very much too!!

[@MarkWiens]

+unfailinglove23 Thanks!

[@sature3336]

That clay pot rice looks amazing....

[@Sema4beach]

Incredible! Sat in that same seat last trip to Singapore! That is one Incredible Place just to walk around and look at every stall takes u 3 Hrs! Gr8t Vid and that Clay Pot Stall is Something Else! Good Eating! back in April!...335 Smith Street!

[@為食先生]

when you eat claypot rice next time, you should take out the topping first and then add soya sauce and mix the rice and scoop into the bowl and add whatever topping you like to your bowl

[@SuperDaggles]

I'm hooked on your videos mark , well done and love food.

[@MsLansones]

That claypot chicken looks so good!

[@naomihita7728]

love all your videos keep them coming always make me hungry huge fan and greetings to you from New Zealand!

[@MarkWiens]

+Naomi Hita Thank you Naomi!

[@blossomlikearose]

Oh wow, does all that food look good. i would certainly wanna try that Claypot Rice. Thanks for another amazing video! Thumbs up!

[@MarkWiens]

+blossomlikearose Thank you for watching!

[@blossomlikearose]

it is my pleasure. Looking forward to watching more. it's so exciting!

[@tousshong9438]

Yeah, was there in 2017 and love the Hawker food courts. Price are very reasonable..and cheap...good foods

[@michaelfederman3067]

I never knew that this place even existed is wonderful you found it I am just so amazed I wish you were able to translate the Chinese signs to English

[@MarkWiens]

+Michael Federman Thanks Michael - luckily the lady taking order spoke English.

[@Sherms57]

You HAVE to try Fried Oyster Omelette/Fried Eggs with oyster. They have mixed tapioca flour in it! It taste SOOOOO GOOOD

[@sven_86]

That looks soo good. Man I miss Singapore so much.

[@TheEvoluti0n]

Great to see someone outside of Singapore source out our great tasting dishes.Love your positive reviews and eagerness to explore all over Asia. Thanks for another great review. Does Ying enjoy the food like yourself?

[@MarkWiens]

+TheEvoluti0n Thank you very much. Yes, Ying loves it too.

[@detchoi]

Hi Mark, I watched your videos eating clay pot rice in Singapore and Hong Kong and just wanted to share a bit of experience. People in Hong Kong usually poured in the seasoned soy sauce when the rice comes, mixed everything inside well and covered the lid for a minute before eating. As all ingredients are either marinated or have favors, the soy sauce is mainly for the rice and the soaking allowed the favor gets into the rice. Hope you'll try and enjoy eating the clay pot rice this way!

[@dopeydonut124]

Rice is one of my favorite foods.

[@desmorado]

Nice video Mark! As singaporean myself, i didn't even know about some of the stalls that you featured! Thx!

[@MarkWiens]

+desmorado Thanks for watching!

[@thefauxmesticgoddess1901]

I left a comment on a previous video i guess kind of complaining about the dramatic facial reactions you do, but i really enjoyed this video bc those particular expressions were tamed & tapered. Then i see a comment below mine disappointed that you werent so dramatic w your expressions this time. I guess its true, you cant please everyone. But i appreciated the video. Thanks!

[@tosht2515]

Mark's expressions were tame this time because he wasn't that impressed with the food but he's way too nice to say anything negative.

[@thefauxmesticgoddess1901]

+Tosh T this is the point of critiquing food, no? When its good, its great & when its lacks it should be told...at least i thought that was the point. Not about being mean, but about being honest

[@tosht2515]

+ChellySweets Sure but Mark has commented before (recently even) that he's not a food or restaurant critic and isn't trying to be one.

[@thefauxmesticgoddess1901]

+Tosh T i wasnt implying that hes a food critic in any professional capacity. All im saying is if the premise of your channel/videos consists of your honest take on food, then it should be honest when the food is great, subpar, & not at all. Balance

[@bs4e]

+ChellySweets he's made bad reviews before. In fact he's made videos where he absolutely hated the food. Also the faces he makes are honest. If you've seen his first few videos or even read his blogs from like 2005, his expressions are honest appraisals. He throughly enjoys most foods. He's just really nice. Everyone misses his expressions because it really told us whether he really enjoyed the food or whether he simply enjoyed it. He also replied to an earlier commenter saying he was less expressive because of the latter reason I provided.

[@guanzhelim2633]

When i am eating claypot rice, i would add the soya sauce and oil in and then stir everything inside, it would give a good mix of all the ingredient including breaking down the piece of slated fish.

[@MarkWiens]

+guan zhe lim Thank you Guan, will do that next time.

[@guanzhelim2633]

+Mark Wiens Just curious, as it was not shown in the video, was chilli sauce provided for? The chilli is really a must for claypot rice, did not find you adding lots of chilli like how you usually eat your food.

[@bonniechea9736]

love your videos Mark! cannot wait to travel to Asia and eat these delicious dishes

[@MarkWiens]

+Bonnie Ea Thank you Bonnie!

[@rafflesleica2518]

Hi Mark u have found the stall, the Claypot rice is one of the best in singapore very very good

[@HoneyPiepaye]

Spring rolls! No sauce?? Nice sweet ice dessert! You eat a whole pot?Wow! Big feast! Delicious! Really good to watch video! Bon appetite!

[@keithli6409]

You should really try the hokkien mee at golden mile hawker centre. It is legendary.

[@MarkWiens]

+Keith Li Thank you Keith, wasn't able to make it this time, but hopefully next trip to Singapore.

[@niallyuxinxie3938]

Aww dang! I missed that place when I was in Singapore!!! T_T I wish I came back in time so that I can taste the claypot rice.

[@Markevans63]

You can't get away from the 711!! 555😊 looks fantastic the clay pot rice!

[@bambangtondoboy]

I really love watching you.. im also a food lover and wants to taste other food around the world. Keep it up buddy.👍👍.watching frm Queens NYC, US.

[@LalaOfFDP]

Yes I'm Cambodian and I've only gone there once. I wanted to go there again soon! (: I would love to see what places you go to so that when I do go, I can try out those places too.

[@noobass1996]

You should try lao ban beancurd. It's a famous beancurd franchise which can be found in a few hawker centers in singapore. If you do plan on eating it, do a google search on it to find a branch nearer to you!

[@MarkWiens]

+noobass1996 Thank you for the recommendation.

[@andyjames]

I tried my hardest to find this place when I was at Chinatown Complex, but couldn't due to how spread out all the stalls were! Had an amazing claypot chicken rice at Satay By The Bay the next day =)

[@TrevorParkJones]

Fantastic Mark!! As always I'm left feeling hungry after watching one of your vlogs!! Thank you Mark and Ying for showing us such delicious looking food!!

[@MarkWiens]

+Trevor Jones Thank you for watching Trevor.

[@adrianchristian2758]

Hi Mark , i watch your show all the time. It's wonderful, but please feature your wife and son eating too. Please be safe on your travels. GOD BLESS YOU

[@princetyler4103]

food looks amazing mark

[@dianabeets5854]

awesome video mark,that clay pot dish looked yummy.

[@seijoscha]

Hi mark and Ying! I love claypot Rice. This tasty dish has such good flavors. If they are well made, is a great Food.But the most important is that of rice, a crisp edge has.

[@MarkWiens]

+joschi jogi Thank you Joschi, that crispy edge is amazing.

[@gktuah]

Fabulous video Mark and Ying🙌🙌🙌

[@MarkWiens]

+Tuah Idzwan R Thanks Tuah

[@pearlns2736]

Hi Mark, if you come to Singapore again , go to Geylang Serai and look for the briyani or Sop tulang merah ( red bonesteak ) at the market or you can try ' nasi campur' at Hajah Maimunah opp Joo chiat. i think you'll enjoy these foods better.

[@MarkWiens]

+pearl ns Thank you very much!

[@whtan]

try crocodile paws at blk 51 old airport road food centre. near to city area & national stadium. take mrt to either mountbatten or dakota station.

[@insaneLALA]

I think I screamed a little when he didn't mix the rice thoroughly with the sauce. It is dark sauce with oil, some stalls will have bottles of this placed on the counter, you can just take them to your table and bring it back after you've poured them into the claypot. You're supposed to pour the oil and sauce into the claypot and mix thoroughly until the rice and ingredients are all coated with it. It's like frying the rice in the claypot once more and you'll get a much nicer burnt bottom on the claypot.

[@nohiforyou]

This dish has to be my favorite meal you've had in singapore. The clay pot dish almost reminds me of a paella but asian inspired. That shaved ice looked good. Did it taste like Matsumoto's?

[@MarkWiens]

+nohixq Thank you very much. Yes, it did remind me of Matsumotos, similar ice texture and flavors.

[@mrk4818]

Mark, u are amazing. I live in Singapore and never get a chance to eat at that store cause its always packed

[@MarkWiens]

+kelvin Lim Thanks Kelvin!

[@guddiesaluja5720]

Mark I watch All your videos . I have a question I never see your wife or Micah eat! Why is that? Are they just taking the videos? I would, like them to be an integral part of all your food tasting! I thoroughly enjoy your shows and make a trip to Pittsburgh as I am. Very fond of cooking and you will not regret it ever.Its a medium sized city with great restaurants . We hope to see you here soon. All the best in your travels and loads of good luck for your beautiful family, Guddie.

[@darithtuy1996]

Hey Mark wow thanku for sharing this amazing video with us, this got me so curious about this particular dish i think im going to hunt it down around my local area here downtown seattle again thanku

[@MarkWiens]

+Darith Tuy Hey Darith, cool to hear that, hope you can find some. It's a great dish.

[@seggiarmandi]

You know the biggest lie of Mark Wiens since the day he started youtube is when he says "a little bit" for everything 😂😂😂

[@seggiarmandi]

With the amounts of kecap manis you had, its definitely too sweet for you, Mark xD

[@fangcooks5643]

+Seggi Armandi Hahaha

[@mercywangari1738]

new name for "the whole bowl of this"

[@dumyjobby]

ha ha, this time i'm prepared, i have a wonderful dish that i prepared myself so i'm not starving form hunger before i wach the vdeo

[@MarkWiens]

+Dumy Jobby Haha, good to hear that!

[@naoyukiclipper]

yeeeeees!cleypotrice there is amazing! I still miss geylang cleypotrice. Landloard treated me before goin` back to JPN. Especially fermented/salted fish on top while cooking!

[@chrishsieh1595]

Claypot Rice is always delicious !! NICE video , but I hope you can tell more detail to us !!

[@MarkWiens]

+Chris Hsieh Thanks Chris

[@seecanon5840]

Different cultures, different foods. Liked the clay pot. Was it a pot for two or one? Great vid.

[@MarkWiens]

+See Canon It was typically a claypot for 2 I think.

[@ascites87]

Always support u mark wiens!! Missed ur " delicious reaction face " 😄😁😅

[@MarkWiens]

+mohd minim Thank you!

[@jatindinesh6692]

we live our dreams through you!!!!! :)

[@tousshong9438]

Wow! Really? why not go to Singapore and experience yourself? We did the 7 country trip in 2017 and Singapore was one of our destination. We first flew to Australia, Bali, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Twain, South Korea then to New York and back home to Minnesota. Once you're in the central hub in south east Asian, flying between those country is very cheap under $150 USAD one way.

[@hamidsheikh2330]

+mark wiens I am still waiting to watch your videos from your travels to Guatemala?

[@LordTaylor007]

Awesome place to eat, awesome city. The black sauce is the BOMB!!!

[@jacobabraham4568]

Mark you must have a High Metabolism cause if I consume that much food I would be hitting the gym for a Month like Arnie Schazneggar " I'll be back" But as in Oliver Twist I would say "Please Sir, Can I HAVE SOME MORE ??!! " Mark ,Ying and Yourself must get the Platinum Gold Award for the Mark Wiens You Tube Channel !!! All Aces, Spades and Diamonds Bro ! Mark and Ying Rock! Rock On !

[@idawan09]

Nice video mark...err will you be eating murtabak in zamzam restaurant? I'm waiting for that...

[@MarkWiens]

+Seri Mahkota Coming soon!

[@bgishy]

I get soooooo hungry watching your videos!!

[@MacBBakesTheCakes]

Everything looks amazing :)

[@vraymond2048]

excellent blogger, fabulous information! just wonder what camera you are using to film the doc. or you're having film production team?

[@kckum3735]

hey mark, you should definitely try the clay pot chicken rice in Jalan Pudu, Malaysia. its one of the best ones around so far and its pack like crazy.

[@pbateson]

Amazing video Mark and Ying of the saap clay pot rice. This centre look very packed. Dessert look saap. Chicken wings not as bad and cheap than USA.

[@MarkWiens]

+KhunPaulflyer Thank you!

[@pbateson]

Mark Wiens You are welcome :)

[@Megabase801]

Delicious Food👍 Thank you Mark & Ying 👍

[@dracolnyte]

you know the food aint good if he aint doing his face. his face doesnt lie

[@veronham61]

Same for Malaysian food. He didn't have the "wow" expression for every dish that he tasted. Looks like he prefers food that has plenty of curries and chillies.

[@javascriptenthusiast1877]

He is rarely like the sweet food btw

[@veronham61]

@@javascriptenthusiast1877 u mean all Singaporean food are sweet? Do u know that thai pp use a lot of sugar in their cooking?

[@circleancopan7748]

He never liked non-spicy foods in general. Look at one of his shirts, he ain't eating anything that has no chili in it.

[@portauthority888]

He doesn't like it don't mean its no good. Get a life dude. He is not your dad.

[@myu8303]

To wait for an hour and a half, I don't have that patience even if I have nothing else to do. No matter how delicious that clay pot chicken rice is. I usually could only wait for ten minutes. Unless there's a shopping mall right next to that food center where I could window shop and buy some time.

[@aileenbanaag10]

Happy to see you enjoy eating everything

[@KuriAoiKara]

wow u actually came to singapore i hope i would bump into you someday

[@MarkWiens]

+KuriAoiKara Thank you, we really enjoyed it!

[@loveggs]

y does the food looks so delicious when i see you eat.....

[@smutpow]

For me, Mark sorta missed one of the keypoint of a claypot rice - The 'burnt bits' at the bottom of the claypot. I know its one of those one man's meat's another man's poison thingy, but he should at least try a little bit of it. Also this hawker center has a number of famous stall, all of which were not shown. I love this place for the food but hate it cos its always so crowded. Even off peak hours, some of the famous stalls have got queues that last at least 30 mins.

[@FlamerzZz]

Mark... The turnip you said is actually yam beans in english it isn't turnip, it is sweeter and very juicy can be eaten raw.

[@sitimouk4989]

Look good enough to eat it make me hungry too I love food travel thanks mark wein

[@MarkWiens]

+Sitim Ouk Thank you!

[@georgeloveseoul2362]

awesome.. you had one of the best claypot rice in Sg.. good choice...