Hainan Chicken House | 海南鸡记
Malaysian restaurant · Borough Park ·
Malaysian hawker dishes, specializing in Hainanese chicken
Malaysian hawker dishes, specializing in Hainanese chicken
"Eater Award-winning and opened in 2023 in Sunset Park, this spot serves a lesser-seen Malaysian-style Hainan chicken with sticky rice balls, plus rotating specials that stayed fresh even for regulars; owner Chris Low says he hadn't planned to be "mega-involved," but found himself there far more than expected." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Hainan Chicken House specializes in perfect Hainanese chicken, served wrapped up in a big square of butcher paper to evoke the feeling of a hawker stall. The whole chickens dangling in the window of this restaurant in Sunset Park, and the decorative wall tiles showcasing different chicken breeds should get you in the mood for their namesake dish. Make sure there's an order of their excellent curry laksa and the schmaltzy Hainanese chicken liver mousse on your table, too. On weekends, they rotate through worthwhile specials like Singapore Chili Crab—so pay attention to the whiteboard behind the counter." - bryan kim, sonal shah, willa moore, neha talreja
"Most places that specialize in Hainanese chicken and rice stick to the basics: flavorful poached chicken and chicken-flavored rice. But at Hainan Chicken House, a modern Malaysian cafe with wall tiles illustrating different chicken breeds, there are three different options—a perfect rendition of the traditional dish, as well as roast or fried chicken versions. The fried option comes with unflavored rice, an egg and a coconut curry that we’d happily drink like soup. Weekend specials, like Singapore Chili Crab, are worth planning your day around." - carina finn koeppicus, bryan kim
"Hainan Chicken House won an Eater Award in 2023 for the restaurant where we’d most want to be regulars. This family-run spot serves plenty of iterations of its Hainan chicken namesake — it’s particularly known for a Malaysian rendition with rice balls. But the menu excels beyond chicken: Go for the curry laksa and always ask about daily specials." - Erika Adams
"The Hainan chicken, chicken rice, and char siu at Hainan Chicken House rank among the best in NYC, but the real gems for me were the bak kut teh — a robust pork bone soup — and the asam laksa, a slightly tangy, sour, and super savory noodle soup." - Eater Staff