Maple Palace Chicken Rice

The chicken rice at Maple Palace is one of Penang's hidden gem. I am an avid fan of Hainanese Chicken Rice. There's something about this dish that always leaves me craving for more. Fun fact: I was the assistant producer for ntv7 Top 10 Hainanese Chicken Rice back in 2017, which was also my first job after graduation. During that time, I had the privilege of travelling to different places across Malaysia and even to Hainan, China, to taste and experience the local variations of this beloved dish. Each store I visited had their own unique flavour and cooking techniques, but I have to admit, I still prefer the Malaysian style of Hainanese Chicken Rice. It's simply more fragrant and flavourful.

Searching for good food is like embarking on a journey of discovery. Maple Palace in Penang serves incredibly delicious Hainanese Chicken Rice, and not many people know about it.

Let's dive right into the chicken itself. They use 7-month-old corn-fed chicken, which weighs approximately 3.5kg. Instead of soaking the chicken in hot water, they steam it to preserve the essence of the meat. The result? Juicy, tender, and bursting with flavour. I'm usually not a big fan of chicken breast due to its texture, but Maple Palace's version is succulent, tender, and oh-so-flavorful. The use of corn-fed chicken instead of the usual chicken adds an extra layer of richness and depth to the dish, making it even more indulgent.

Now, onto the rice. The unsung hero that brings everything together. The right amount of ginger, chicken stock, and chicken fat gives the rice its distinct aroma and flavor. It's not overpowering, though, and doesn't take away from the star of the dish - the chicken. My fellow expat friend, Marco, couldn't get enough of it and ended up devouring four bowls! Trust me when I say that Maple Palace's rice is simply heavenly - it's not too strong, nor too bland, just perfect.

It's true what they say - 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅, Hainanese Chicken Rice is more than just a dish - it's a cultural experience that brings people together. Maple Palace's version of this beloved dish is a testament to the power of food in connecting people and cultures. So, if you're ever in the mood for some mouth-watering Hainanese Chicken Rice, do yourself a favour and head over to Maple Palace - you won't regret it! Please place a booking a day in advance before you visit.