Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice

4.5/5 First time trying their claypot rice, and we waited about 40 minutes on a weekday. We ordered the mixed claypot rice, which came generously topped with tender chicken pieces, Chinese sausages, and probably the most generous amount of salted fish I've ever seen in a claypot rice. Even the chicken breast pieces were surprisingly tender and flavourful, which isn’t always the case. The moment it arrived at the table, it gave off an enticing aroma. The rice was flavourful and delicious, with the ingredients complementing each other well. While the wait can be a little long, it's understandable given that the rice is cooked from scratch over a charcoal fire. Good things take time. I'd gladly have it again if I'm in the area around dinner time. It's definitely one of the better claypot rice dishes I've had in Singapore. The $15 portion was also surprisingly substantial and was enough to feed the three of us, albeit with two small eaters in the group.

First off, you have to wait very long. Alot of local folks buying. Place is not comfortable. You have a lot smoke from other stalls, zi char, satay. Satay around the area is great. Always had satay while waiting for my claypot rice. Okay so do not expect fantastic, surprise, amazing meal. I considered this as local comfort food. Nostalgic local meal. A time where by family, friend get around to chit chat and wait for your meal. It's like a local ritual. They are still trying to keep the standard throughout the years. Appreciate their effort. At least the food is decent, price is decent.

Wednesday - 6th May 2026 Wifey and I heard pretty good reviews on the Claypot Rice Stall in Chinatown Food Centre - Lian He Ben Ji Claypot (联合本记). We are regular visitors of Chinatown Fresh Food Market and Food Centre but had never heard of this famous stall. It’s because they start serving only from 3pm till 9pm and they’re closed on Mondays and Thursdays. We were forewarned that waiting time is between 40 minutes to 90 minutes. Hence we arrived the stall at 3:10pm. There wasn’t any queue (we thought) so I headed right up to place our orders of 1 Claypot Rice and a bowl of Lotus Root Pork Rib Soup. Server told us that waiting time would be 40 minutes. My wife and I wondered, “Hah, no customer and yet got to wait 40 minutes???” When we sat down and looked around, nearly all the tables had people sitting there (in pairs or threes) - no food. Only then we realized that those seated people were patrons who had placed their orders. Examining the stall closely, there were 10 charcoal stoves (all red hot burning claypots). All the stoves were “occupied”; apparently the chef cooked each Claypot from scratch upon order. Hence the waiting time of at least 40 minutes (for the first batch of patrons). Subsequent patrons, I heard the server told them 50 minutes…so the later arrivals will get their orders later. While some patrons were “delivered” their Claypot orders, we saw a couple arrived about 20 minutes later than us, went up to the server and said something - and they got their orders about 10 minutes later (and we were still waiting). We were puzzled? Are they regular patrons who got “special preference”. Anyway, I told wifey that our 40 minutes waiting time wasn’t up. True to promise, our Claypot was delivered to our table about the 40th minute. Wow! How did they do that?? Shortly followed by the Lotus Root Soup (which came from the Steamer in adjacent stall). I enjoyed the Claypot Rice thoroughly - the $12 Claypot gave us 5 bowls of rice. The bottom layer was a bit burnt but I liked it that way, needed to squeeze in some pork oil to scrap the bottom layer. There were bits of Chinese Sausages (both standard and liver), chopped chicken pieces and shiitake mushrooms. We could taste presence of salted fish but couldn’t find any salted fish chips. Wifey and I would prefer more ingredients (we are basically meat eaters🤣🤣) and salted fish. If we patronize again, I thought maybe we can request additional ingredients (with additional cost of course) but same amount of rice. The Lotus Root Soup was clear and tasty. At $2.50, it was really a good buy. There were five pieces of pork ribs. To solve our curiosity, before we departed, we asked a server how come some patrons didn’t have to wait so long, he replied that we could also call in to place our order in advance and inform them our arrival time; but we needed to be punctual. Immediately he gave us a “calling card”. Nice. This is a stall worthy of returning to; especially when I crave for claypot rice.

If you're craving authentic traditional claypot rice, this place won't disappoint. The rice is slowly cooked in a charcoal-fired clay pot, each grain distinct, with a slightly charred crust at the bottom, perfectly complemented by the rich sauce. The chicken is tender, and the sausage has a touch of sweetness, creating a well-balanced overall flavor. The most unique element is the aroma of the charcoal fire (wok hei), truly tasting the traditional cooking method. The portions are generous, making every bite satisfying. ⚠️ Friendly Reminder: The wait time in person is quite long, usually around 1 hour (longer during peak hours). It's recommended to call ahead and make a reservation to save time. Overall, this is a claypot rice restaurant worth making a special trip for. If you're looking for a true traditional claypot rice experience, this place delivers. The rice is perfectly cooked in a charcoal claypot — fragrant, slightly crispy at the bottom, and soaked with rich, savory sauce. The chicken is tender, the Chinese sausage adds a nice sweetness, and the overall balance is spot on. Simple ingredients, but done right. What stands out is the wok hei + charcoal aroma — you can really taste the old-school cooking method. The portion is satisfying, and every bite feels comforting and hearty. ⚠️Important tip: Be prepared to wait — walk-in customers can expect around 1 hour wait time, especially during peak hours. It’s highly recommended to call ahead and place your order to save time. Overall, a must-try for claypot rice lovers. Worth the patience.

A local Singaporean recommended this clay pot rice restaurant. We were able to eat an hour after ordering. We chose the mixed rice. The $12 size was just right for two people. When ordering, you tell them your table number, and they bring it to your table when it's ready. They didn't explain anything, but they give you oil and sauce together, so it's best to use less oil and add the sauce to your liking. There's a lot of crispy rice at the bottom, and the bottom is so burnt you don't even need to eat it, so it's best to eat the part that's just right. The fish is incredibly salty, so you might want to skip it. The sausage has a slightly sweet, local flavor, which might be a matter of personal preference. The chicken is consistently good, so you might want to order just the chicken. While waiting for your order, you can enjoy fish dishes, xiaolongbao, or craft beer from other restaurants. Cash or PayNow only.

Saw this chicken claypot rice on social media and decided to call in advance to place an order. When we arrived at the stall, they couldn’t even locate our order from their messy stack of scribbled papers. Only after I showed them my call ID did they finally acknowledge we had indeed placed one — not a good start at all. The $20 portion was meant for three of us, but it was underwhelming. The rice lacked quality, the dark soya sauce they use didn’t suit my taste, and the chicken pieces were mostly bony with little meat. While they were generous with the Chinese sausages, it didn’t make up for the disappointment. Overall, it was an unsatisfying dinner — most likely my first and last visit.

I have to say, 联合本记煲饭 (Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice) was hands down the most impressive restaurant I visited during my trip, even though it’s far from the fanciest or most expensive place. I came on a Sunday around 4 PM and was told there’d be a 75-minute wait. Naturally, I was super curious because, coming from Hong Kong, where we pride ourselves on amazing claypot rice, I thought I’d seen it all. Ordered a portion for one and found a nearby coffee shop with air conditioning to kill time while waiting. When I came back on time, I was told there was still a wait, which was a bit frustrating. After checking in a few times, my claypot rice finally arrived after a 2-hour wait! Honestly, I was pretty annoyed and impatient at that point, but once I took my first bite, all the frustration melted away. The claypot rice was absolutely phenomenal—perfectly cooked with a crispy, smoky layer of rice at the bottom and rich, flavorful toppings. It was worth every minute of the wait, even if it tested my patience. Highly recommend trying this place, but be prepared for a long wait—it’s part of the experience!

over an hour wait on a wednesday evening but that's a regular claypot experience (since they cook as you order). situated in the hawker centre so it gets pretty warm depending on the weather. get the mixed one!! make sure there's the salty fish inside, if not it's not as good!