Best Claypot Chicken Rice in PJ

If the title interests you, I just want to share that there is no such thing as the best Claypot Chicken Rice in PJ. There are only popular ones, as everyone has their taste in their favourite claypot chicken rice.

Over the years, many websites and blogs have wrongly used the term ‘best’ as they want people to click on their links (clickbait), regardless of whether the article is factual or well written. But nowadays, people want more facts than just some video of a hawker stall without solid information.

I admit that I am also using the title to get people’s attention, but the difference is that I have been writing online since the late 90s and learned a lot from great writers like Sam Chui. Therefore, my recommendations are purely based on original taste, not because the post got thousands of likes or views.

So, when it comes to food, you are the judge, and your taste differs from others, so there is no such thing as the best. Below is a list of claypot chicken rice places in PJ or Petaling Jaya, a huge Selangor foodie capital. I have not listed Puchong, Kepong, and other places because I just targeted the main PJ area.

Restoran Busy Corner Claypot Chicken Rice

This place is located in Damansara Jaya and has been one of the old-school claypot restaurants in PJ for over 30 years now. Their claypot is quite consistent, so customers often return. You will also find many local Damansara Jaya people here, as the restaurant also has a chicken rice stall in the front.

Restoran Busy Corner
83, Jalan SS 22/11 Damansara Jaya, 47400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Open Daily except for Thursday
Time: 11.00 AM – 3.00 PM, 5.00 PM – 9.00 PM

PJ Old Town Claypot Chicken Rice (Opposite Wet Market)

This uncle has been running the famous claypot chicken rice stall for over 30 years and took over from the original Veng Soon Claypot Chicken Rice when they moved to the new shop. However, the uncle’s quality has dropped compared to its heydays when customers crowded the stall for takeaways, while the dine-in was always a waitlist. Over the last ten years, things have changed; nowadays, many who grew up with this stall keep returning.

PJ Old Town Claypot Chicken Rice
2, Jln Othman, Pj Old Town, 46000 Petaling Jaya
Open Daily
Time: 5.00 PM – 8.30 PM

Restoran Veng Soon Claypot Chicken Rice PJ Old Town

This claypot chicken rice is one of the oldest places and has operated since 1977. That makes this business 47 years old when I write this in 2024. I’ve eaten here several times in the last 47 years and early 2024. The claypot chicken rice is still excellent and is my personal favourite. In addition, I grew up in PJ Old Town. Therefore, there are several well-known places to eat here. Maybe it’s time to make another visit.

Restoran Veng Soon Claypot Chicken Rice
F19, Jalan 1/21 (PJ Old Town), 46000, Petaling Jaya
Open: Daily except Tuesdays
Time: 7.00 PM – 10.00 PM

Claypot Station Sunway Giza Kota Damansara

This is one place I have yet to try, but I have heard quite good reviews of this place. So, one of these days, I will make a trip here and try out the Claypot Station at Sunway Giza area in Kota Damansara.

Claypot Station Sunway Giza
23-1, Jalan PJU 5/12, Dataran Sunway, 47810, Petaling Jaya
Open Daily
Time: 11.00 AM – 3.30 PM, 5.30 PM – 11.00 PM

Claypot Chicken Rice SS2 Wai Sek Kai Selera Malam

This is the only claypot chicken rice stall at Wai Sek Kai in SS2; they have been here for quite a while. The menu is rather interesting, with several choices. The food is not too bad, but see the cook’s mood, as sometimes it can be a bit dry. Overall it’s ok with reasonable prices.

Claypot Chicken Rice SS2
42, Jalan SS 2/62, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya
Open Daily
Time: 5.00 PM – 11.00 PM

Restoran Choong Kee Kampar Claypot Rice Damansara Jaya

This is one of the old-timers in Damansara Jaya, which has a history of drama among the family members. They recently moved to another shop a few doors from the original place. Apparently, the family tends to get into arguments while doing business. At one time, the wife shouted at the cook, the husband. He threw his ladle and walked off, leaving customers stunned. But their claypot chicken rice is not too bad.

Restoran Choong Kee Kampar Claypot Rice
64, Jalan SS 22/25, Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya
Open: Mon-Sun (Wed Close)
Time: 11.00 AM – 8.00 PM

Claypot Chicken Rice at Restoran Four Eight 8888 in Damansara Perdana

This uncle has been selling for over 10 years at the same end spot of Restoran 8888 coffee shop in DP. His claypot chicken is not too bad, and the price is a little higher, namely when everything is added for a price. So when you order, he will ask you ‘Kar ham yee mo?’, ‘Kar lap cheong mo?’ ‘Kar tan mo?’ and one final, ‘Kar thong mo?’. That’s his signature talk when you order. Translated as add salted fish, Chinese sausage, egg and soup. Adding all that, one claypot can set you back to RM16-18, minus the soup.

Claypot Chicken Rice at Restoran Four Eight 8888
Ground Floor, 22A, Jalan PJU 8/5c, Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya
Open: Daily
Time: 5.00 PM – 10.00 PM

How can you tell if Claypot Chicken Rice is Good?

Generally, many factors result in an excellent claypot chicken rice, and each stall may vary on one another to cut costs or just laziness. That is why some well-known stalls tend to use quality products.

Ingredient Brands – The brand of the wine, black sauce, oil, and saltfish they use is crucial to the dish’s outcome. Well-known places use quality brands to bring out the flavour of the claypot dish, while others use cheap quality sauces.

Chicken – The cuts of chicken are also important, namely, whether the chicken is fresh and tender. Some use old frozen chicken in the freezer for ages, while the popular places get fresh chicken stock daily.

Rice – This is a no-brainer; if a stall charges RM10-RM12 for a claypot and uses cheap broken rice, they are all out to make money. The better claypot chicken rice places tend to use medium-grade rice, which makes a huge difference when eating.

Burntness and Add-Ons – A slightly burnt base also contributes to a pleasant overall taste, giving it a bit of crunch, while add-ons like lap cheong and spring onions make up the final overall taste. Some even like to add a raw egg for a mix-about.

Salt Fish – This one is important to some people. The quality of the salt fish the hawkers use makes a difference, as cheaper ones tend just to be salty. But a good saltfish will compliment the overall taste of the claypot chicken rice.

Cut Chilli – Nowadays, chilli can also be a vital part of the indicator. It can look like a nice chilli but has no chilli taste. So, some people also consider this a compliment to the dish.

Conclusion

Many places sell claypot chicken rice, but one of the issues is that most hawkers use cheap alternatives for the ingredients, resulting in a general taste heavy on soy sauce and oil. These are the places I don’t consider good, but just taking your money only.

Therefore, if you have been looking for the best claypot chicken rice in PJ, there is none. Each place above offers a distinctive taste, and my list highlights some popular places in Petaling Jaya.