Sin Nam Huat Chicken Rice — Restaurant in George Town

Most coffee shops in Penang are normally populated with different stalls selling different dishes. This results in one or two stalls that may be the popular one with the locals for a certain dish.

It's not uncommon to have to go to one coffee shop just to have a particular dish, cause the locals deem it to be "the best" and travel to another coffee shop just to have another dish.

So, when you come across a coffee shop that features only ONE stall selling one dish, it quickly narrows down your choices.

Sin Nam Huat is one such example - the entire coffee shop only features their Hainanese Chicken rice. This piqued my interest and I decided to go on a Saturday afternoon around 2:00pm. When I arrived at the location, I found ample parking right in front of the shop - good news #1.

Walking towards the shop, I was greeted with a FULL HOUSE - no seating available (except for some outdoor seating by the side of the shop) - good news #2

While seating is not cramped, due to COVID restrictions, chairs and tables are comfortably spaced in a very bright and airy shop. Everyone was chowing down hungrily, and there was a short queue of take away patrons as well.

Upon ordering the food, it was promptly served to me within 4 minutes - good news #3

The roast chicken and char siew looked great. Well roasted for the chicken and slightly burnt for the char siew is always a visual precursor to how it will probably taste, and upon putting that first mouthful in, I realised why this place was so popular, even at that normally off-peak time. - good news #4

Every mouthful was a delight with the chicken. Some have complained that it is a little dry, but I've always maintained that the moistness of the meat is dependent on the area of the chicken that you're consuming. You can't expect breast meat to be moist, and vice-versa for the drumstick.

The char siew was another delight - unlike most char siew sold in Penang which tended to be on the dry, and hard, side - these were moist, well roasted and dripped with caramelised goodness.

My plate of chicken, char siew and a bowl of soup (comes standard with the dish) resulted in a RM9.50 bill, which to some, can be a little on the high side, but not me - good news #5

All-in-all, I would highly recommend this place for anyone hankering for a good plate chicken rice....

Sin Nam Huat Chicken Rice in Penang, Malaysia, is a hidden gem that has garnered a well-deserved reputation for its exceptional Hainanese chicken rice. This unassuming restaurant might lack air conditioning and fancy decor, but its focus on delivering delicious food sets it apart.

The star of the show here is undoubtedly their Hainanese chicken rice. Tender, succulent chicken is cooked to perfection, and the accompanying rice is fragrant and seasoned just right. Each bite is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, and you'll find yourself savoring every mouthful. This dish alone is worth the visit.

One thing to note is that Sin Nam Huat operates on a unique schedule. If you plan to visit around 2 pm, be prepared for a limited menu. At this time, they usually have just one serving of Hainanese chicken rice left. It's a testament to the dish's popularity. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on it, consider yourself fortunate. Additionally, it's not uncommon for the side dishes like char siu and pork to run out as well. This limited availability adds to the charm of this place, as it's a testament to the fresh and in-demand nature of their offerings.

The absence of air conditioning and the open-air setting might not appeal to everyone, but it's all part of the authentic experience. The focus here is on the food, and it truly shines. The service is friendly, and the staff is happy to help you navigate the limited menu and offer recommendations.

Sin Nam Huat Chicken Rice is a must-visit for food enthusiasts seeking an authentic taste of Hainanese chicken rice in Penang. While the conditions might not be lavish, the flavors certainly are. Arriving early to secure your order is advisable, as this place's popularity is a testament to its culinary excellence. You'll leave satisfied, knowing you've enjoyed one of Penang's finest...

Roast pork was a big let down, the skin was soft, chewy, not crispy and not crackling at all. The roasted chicken was also on the dry, tough and chewy side. Only a few pieces of roast duck meat in the set. Ordered 6 pax portions of mixed roast duck, roast chicken, roast pork with add on BBQ pork and felt it was too little for the price they're charging. Other reviewers left the same comment as well. Maybe worth it to order individual portions.

Finally, if you're in need to use the bathroom while dining here then you're gonna have a very unique experience if you're a tourist in PG as they taped up the toilet seat and you're left with doing your business on the floor, horrendous! Maybe the toilet was broken on my visit, I have no idea and am not interested to know. I forgot to take pictures of the food because they're.. meh. But here's the proof of their taped up toilet. Hope they fix the toilet ASAP as it doesn't look good to the tourists who visit PG. Or try their many other chain...