Through shows like No Reservations, Parts Unknown, The Layover, and A Cook’s Tour (among others) the world watched eagerly as chef, author, and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain traveled the globe to uncover little-known corners of the world and celebrate diverse cultures through food–six years later we’re still reeling over his passing.
And considering Bourdain was quite the established globetrotter, traveling everywhere from Iceland and Vietnam to Tanzania and Japan, it would certainly be quite the feat to say you’ve eaten every place he has, like the Singaporean street food spot where he was left speechless after taking a bite of chicken and rice, but New Yorkers can experience this same UNESCO-recognized cuisine right here in NYC!
K. F. Seetoh was a friend of Bourdain, having known him on and off screen for 17 years and accompanying him on his Singapore food tour, and Seetoh is giving New Yorkers a taste of the same Singaporean street food Bourdain was so floored by at his restaurant Hainan Jones.
Created by the Chinese Hainan migrants in Singapore almost a century ago, Singapore Hainanese Chicken Rice is considered one of Singapore’s most celebrated local dishes, so it only makes sense that it’s the star at Hainan Jones. At first glance the dish doesn’t look like anything special. In fact, Bourdain stated of the dish, “How can something this ugly be so good?”
But don’t judge the dish by its cover–what it lacks in appearance it certainly makes up for in taste.
At Hainan Jones the dish is prepared three ways–poached, roasted, and fried–and all three are served with fragrant chicken rice and broth and accompanied by a lime chili, dark soy sauce, and minced ginger. One bite and we promise that, just like Bourdain when he tried it, all you’ll be able to mutter is a “wow.”
Beyond the Chicken Rice, Hainan Jones also serves Nonya Laksa, a spicy coconut curry noodle soup with shrimp, tofu, and egg, Hainan Chicken Curry, served with a flavorful curry and baguette, and Tomato HP Sauce Pork Chop Rice, featuring a savory pork chop over rice with a tangy sauce.
Hainan Jones has two NYC locations: the recently opened one in DeKalb Market Hall as well as a location in Midtown’s Urban Hawker which Bourdain helped envision. The concept is a collaboration between K. F. Seetoh’s company Makansutra, founded to celebrate and promote heritage street food culture worldwide, and top Chicken Rice masters from Singapore.
Follow along with Hainan Jones on their Instagram.
📍 Urban Hawker – 135 W 50th St.
📍 DeKalb Market Hall – 445 Albee Square W