On a Saturday like this, when I give myself the freedom to eat whatever I want, I took the opportunity to indulge in a meal of the country’s most popular dish: Kampong-style chicken rice!
If only I could eat this every day, I would—but I suppose it wouldn’t feel as special as it does today, especially since my last taste of it was a few weeks ago. Whenever I go for a meal like this, I always choose the Kampong-style chicken because it has a better flavor and a unique texture to the meat.
A friend of mine recommended a restaurant located in the city called Zwee Kee Restaurant. It’s situated along Seah Street, surrounded by beautiful buildings in unique architectural styles—some modern, others traditional. Before diving into the food experience, let me show you the environment. I took some photos of the surroundings, and they capture the charm of the area perfectly.
What I truly appreciate about its location is the abundance of photography opportunities. After dining at the restaurant, I went on a photowalk—a great way to stretch my legs and help my stomach digest all the food I ate.
I took the bus to the area and got off near the National Library, which is impressive in terms of architectural design. From there, it was only a short walk to Seah Street, just a left turn away.
Zwee Kee Restaurant exudes a traditional Chinese ambiance, giving off the impression of a family-owned establishment. This is something I find worth supporting because, honestly, how many restaurants like this are still in operation these days? Very few, I think. That’s why it’s important to support businesses like this. Another reason they’re worth supporting is their dedication to providing delicious, authentic food, excellent service, and fair, reasonable prices.
As soon as I stepped into the restaurant, I was excited to see that it was a full house. This only proved how good the food must be.
They offered me the option of dining at an outdoor table or sharing a table with other diners. I chose the al fresco dining option because the weather wasn’t too hot that day, and the surrounding environment was pleasant to enjoy.
One of the staff handed me the menu, which was quite lengthy.
Initially, I thought they only offered a variety of chicken and roasted meats, but it turns out they also have other unique dishes, like black chicken soup and the controversial shark fin soup. Since I was there for the steamed chicken, I ordered the chicken rice set and added a boiled egg as well.
Even though it was already lunchtime, I suddenly craved kaya toast, so I decided to order that too.
The toast was brought to my table first, but I didn’t want to spoil my appetite, so I waited until the chicken rice was served. As soon as it was placed on my table, it became a happy moment for me as I arranged the plates to capture the perfect food shot. I was already hungry, but I was determined to take the photos I needed for my post. The steamed chicken looked amazing, and they even gave me the back part, which I appreciated.
Just by looking at the chicken, I could already tell it was going to be excellent. The steam and meat juices had turned into a jelly-like consistency between the skin and the meat. I’m not sure if this is a characteristic specific to Kampong-style chicken, but it definitely elevated the experience!
The steamed vegetables were cooked perfectly—crunchy and vibrant in color. There was just the right amount of oyster sauce and chicken oil, making them both flavorful and satisfying.
The serving portions were well-balanced among the ingredients, and I was able to finish the entire chicken rice set without wasting anything. The rice was also excellent, as it was the long-grain type with just the right amount of flavor. I will definitely return to this place the next time I visit the Seah Street area.
The kaya toast was a great way to finish the meal. Some might think it wouldn’t pair well with chicken rice, but I still found it enjoyable to have both. It had been a while since I last ate either of these dishes, so this meal felt extra special.
Overall, my visit to Zwee Kee Restaurant was a delightful experience that combined delicious food with a charming atmosphere. The Kampong-style chicken rice and kaya toast reminded me why these dishes are so beloved, and the surrounding area made the outing even more memorable. I can’t wait to return and explore more of what this gem has to offer!
