Oriental Wok
Phone: 03 9650 9801
I’d read about Oriental Wok over at Harbx not long back, who declared them as having one of the best Hainanese chicken rice in town. So with such a recommendation in mind, I made my way to this laneway establishment to test this declaration for myself.
Hainanese chicken rice has its roots in the Hainan province in China, although it is more commonly associated with Singaporean or Malay cuisine. For this dish, whole chickens are poached in a light master stock or water infused with garlic and ginger until just cooked. The accompanying chicken rice is made by frying ginger and garlic in a little chicken fat and adding it to the raw rice and stock mixture for absorption. The sliced chicken and the chicken rice is then served with slices of cucumber and tomato, a bowl of light stock, and two or three dipping sauces; chilli, ginger and dark soy.
The chicken rice itself at Oriental Wok was great - it had a nice oilyness and good stock flavour. The chicken was quite moist, and whilst my serve was rather lean, my friends serve had a rather large serve of chicken skin (which to be honest, would please people who like such things, but generally I felt was just a little too much). The chilli/ginger sauce on the side was passable, but I think Laksa Me does a better one.
Verdict? Well, it is certainly a good version, but I don’t know if it’s the best version (I’m still on the hunt - so if you know of a good one, let me know in the comments!). And for $9, well I think it is a little steep. I have fond memories of paying SG$3 for a sublime version at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice Stall in the Maxwell Centre in Singapore, and whilst I know we can’t do it for that price here, $9 just rankles.
Written by mellie on
February 21st, 2008 | Tags: Asian, Singaporean | Category: Uncategorized
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February 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 am
Nah Mellie, you’re totally wrong.
My mum makes the best Hainan chicken rice.
Her or Fatty Loh in Penang.
xox Sarah
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 am
My mouth waters at the thought! When we get to Penang in May, that’s the first thing I want to eat and then Assam Laksa, Pohpiah, chilli crab, Mee Goreng, Kway Teoh, hae mee, Roti Chanai, Fish head etc etc
Apart from making it myself, I haven’t found many good ones here. Just as you find one, the place usually changes hands. There used to be a place in Box Hill run by an Indian man from Penang who made a sublime one. His Assam Laksa was the real deal too. But his business is long gone…oh the memories….LOL!
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
Yeah, the amount of skin was just a little too much for me to stomach - I prefer the meat! Taste was ok, but I guess I was expecting something… better.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Hey sarah - n’ah, the best chicken rice I’ve had in Melbourne is at EG’s Mums
Hiya stickyfingers - hmm, I think I must make my way to Penang at some stage!
Hey anna - yes, I did feel sooo sorry for you with all that hideous skin. I guess the appreciation comes in the moistness of the chicken, the delicateness of the broth, and savouyness/saltiness/oilyness of the rice, and the kickarsedness of the sauces.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:10 am
This one is pretty delicious…
http://roseskitchen.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/hainanese-chicken-rice/
February 25th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I went here today after reading your post and i have to say i agree with you. Its nothing special, and very small portions indeed.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
The best HCR in Melbourne would have to be at a place hidden in the South Eastern region called Kotaraya - 12/ 2107 South Princes Hwy Springvale 3171. The Flavour of the chicken and the rice at this is as close as any I have had to the real deal that you get in Asia. My friend JQ actually goes there multiple times a week and never gets sick of it!
February 26th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Hey …for who made the stars - thanks for the link to that recipe! I saw them make it on Food Safari the other day too, and am dying to try the recipe for myself. EG’s Mum makes a mighty fine version - I guess you can’t beat homemade sometimes.
Hey anon - glad you concurred. I wasn’t too fussed with the portion though - it was a good size for me!
Hey drdaz - thanks for the tip on Kotaraya. The next time I’m in Springvale I’ll certain look it up!
March 13th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
A bit late getting on here, but IMHO the best ‘eat-out’ hainanese chicken rice we’ve found in Melb so far is to be had at the “Old Raffles Place” Singaporean restaurant at 70 Johnston St, Collingwood (if they haven’t run out of it when you get there!).
March 14th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Thanks for that towser - amazingly enough, I still haven’t been to Old Raffles Place in Collingwood yet, although it’s been one of those places I have intended to go for ages. I must put it high on my to do list. I feel the need for some good chicken rice.
Thanks for the reminder!
March 27th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Hi Mellie
Thought i would ask you if you would know of a good Hawker style restaurant in the city area? I’ve tried a lot of places and none of them have been good =(
March 31st, 2008 at 11:45 am
Hey there …for who made the stars,
Unfortunately, no. I wish there was!
Not that I have tried it, but have you been to the ChilliMalam Supper at Chillipadi on Wednesdays, 10pm - 2am? They apparently do hawker style food, including satay. Check it out at http://www.chillipadi.com.au/melbourne/restaurants.html
September 9th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Oriental Wok …. Best hainanese Chicken rice in melbourne????? It is the worst restaurant in the world and is the biggest rip off I have ever come across. Rice - Overcooked with no taste Chicken- very bland and for AUD9.50, you are better of going to macdonalds and get your self a burger. Service - Let me give you an example, the lady behind the counter asked me if I wanted any drinks and I told her the soup is enough. She shouted back at me” I did not ask you if you wanted the soup or not I asked you if you wanted any drink” What a bitch. It is people like that who create such an unpleasant world and ought to be eradicated from this earth. I should say they are the worst restaurant in Melbourne
September 9th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Hey there zizzy - well I didn’t think it was the best chicken rice either. In fact, I too thought it was pricy and lacked a bit of flavour (…you did read my experience didn’t you?!?). That being said, I had no trouble from the lady behind the counter. She wasn’t overly friendly, but she wasn’t rude either.
That’s what is so interesting about experiences and opinions - we all have different ones!