Boon Tong Kee
401 Balestier Road
Singapore
PRICE: $$$
RATING: ?????
We normally have our chicken rice at Nam Kee – a family favourite. But, we met up with some Aussie friends for lunch at a joint I heard was highly rated. Called Boon Tong Kee, it has a couple of branches but we went to the Balestier Road one. Service was brisk and very friendly, and they were patient and nice to our kids and put up with all their noise and mess 😛
It’s busy (we went for lunch on a weekend) but air-conditioned inside, which provided sweet relief from Singapore’s awful heat and humidity right now. They actually have a pretty extensive menu, but the prices are not as cheap as Nam Kee. Still fairly reasonable though!
I adored the stewed peanuts that they serve at the start, though I think they automatically charge them to your bill (correct me if I’m wrong?). I’m a huge fan of these babies – they’re basically peanuts that have been stewed in some sort of gravy til they’re super soft. It’s actually one of my favourite foods, much to Chris’ disdain because he finds them so weird 😉 Perhaps it’s a very Singaporean thing to like these peanuts, because our other Aussie friends found them inedible too! No worries – MORE FOR ME 😀
Of course, behold their Hainanese chicken. It is REALLY good. Chris and I were duly impressed. Very silky, very tender, very juicy. Absolutely no complaints from everyone and it vanished within seconds at her table, so that speaks for itself 😉
We also ordered some Braised beef with buns. Chris loves this dish every time he sees it on any menu – meltingly soft meat slow-cooked in a rich gravy, and you pop it into these white lily-pad buns (on the right of the pic). It’s so tasty!! Kind of like an Asian hamburger, I reckon.
Crispy Beancurd is one of their signature dishes and HOOBOY!!!!!! All of us have never adored tofu so much in our entire lives. This was incredible. Little pats of tofu that was fried in a very very light and crisp batter, served with a little saucer of sweet condensed milk (I think?) to dip into. It sounds like an odd combination but these tofu cubes were outstanding – will definitely order again.
We also ordered some Sweet and sour fish and I enjoyed the thin slices of fish which were battered and served with a sticky sweet & sour sauce. It was good, but didn’t blow my mind or anything, and the other dishes were ordered were better 🙂
Happily, I’ve discovered another Boon Tong Kee outlet right near where we live, and they deliver!! Guess what I’ll be having for dinner tonight……….. 😉
Boon Tong Kee is our regular chicken rice place. We go to the one at River Valley though. They open till 4am so it’s great for supper. The deep fried tofu (served with mayo) is my must order dish. Surprised that they do the kong bak pau with beef though, normally it’s pork. Next time you have to try their raw fish salad, it’s really yummy!
YES that tofu is super incredible…
And… errr.. you’re right I think it’s pork not beef. I got confused. WHOOPS!! Let’s go to BTK together soon then, I’m craving it again lol.
Sure, there’s one near you anyway. Not as fancy as the River Valley/Balestier one but more convenient. The prata place along that stretch is pretty good as well, can have tissue prata with condensed milk there for dessert after! :p
I just had chicken rice from Boon Tong Kee for lunch today! 🙂 it is indeed for one of the more reasonable yet good chicken rice places around. The chilli sauce is super powerful, but definitely beats the non-spicy ones that I’ve come across.
YES I tried their chilli sauce when we got takeaway last night (after I blogged it and craved for it, haha) and OMG…. it’s POTENT…
It sounds so yummy! Have heard of the place, but have never visited. ;P
Oooo you def should if you’re keen on chicken rice!
In the American south a big food is boiled peanuts, which seem to be similar. They are cooked in their shells in heavily salted water for hours until they are soft.
HEY YES I think it’s the same thing! I didn’t realise it was eaten there too…. goes to show how much I love Southern food (can’t get enough of corn bread, fried chicken, etc etc) 😛
Hey, u can get the stewed peanuts from some supermarts under the canned food section. It is called “braised peanuts” if I am not mistaken and quite cheap, less than S$2 for a tin! My dad likes to eat them with porridge sometimes 🙂
YES I do get those! They are super good too and will def satisfy in a pinch.. but the ones Boon Tong Kee make are even better heh