Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice is probably one of those brands that some Singaporeans would be familiar with — these folks have been around Singapore since 1992 with a focus centred around its Hainanese chicken rice and do have quite a number of outlets that are currently in operations islandwide; locations where one would be able to find Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice includes Bukit Timah Shopping Centre and Killiney Road. The outlet at The Rail Mall is a recent addition to the list of locations that Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice has all across the island; these folks had taken over the former premises of the now-defunct New Teik Kee Chicken Rice there. Whilst earlier outlets of Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice tend to feature more simple looking interiors, their outlet at The Rail Mall is one that is decked in a style that replicates the old black-and-white colonial houses of the past; there is quite a strong retro vibe from the style of furniture and fittings opted, and the ornaments that they had chosen to decorate the space with. The dining hall features a good number of tables with most tables offering seatings for guests in groups of four (4) or more; the seatings include a mix of stools, proper dining chairs and booth seats. Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice is an establishment that is more known as a Hainanese Chicken Rice-centric establishment serving up the said dish alongside some Zichar-style offerings that comprises of dishes that are good for sharing around the table. That being said, the outlet at The Rail Mall does seem to carry a slightly modified menu as the other locations of Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice; the menu at this location is segmented into categories such as Hainanese Western, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Side Dish, Meat Dish, Vegetable & Beancurd, Seafood, Soups, Rice and Noodles, Breakfast and Cakes, while the beverages menu comprises of espresso-based coffee, tea, Milo and some homemade concoctions.

Since we were visiting Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice at The Rail Mall for the offerings on the Hainanese Western section of the menu, we found ourselves going for the Hainanese Pork Cutlet. The menu describes the Hainanese Pork Cutlet being a dish that is served with a “tangy savoury sauce”; it is also the only dish in the Hainanese Western section of the menu that features the said sauce since the other dishes are served either with homemade brown sauce or black pepper sauce depending on the patron’s choice. Other elements apart from the “tangy savoury sauce” that are being served up with the Hainanese Pork Cutlet would include the pork cutlet itself, french fries, and a mix of greens that includes broccoli and carrot. Priced at $19.80, the Hainanese Pork Cutlet can be described as rather pricey but Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice does serve up a rather generous portion for the price it charges; the Hainanese Pork Cutlet features two tenderised pork cutlets that has been coated with a deep-fried, golden-brown batter — the exterior of the pork cutlet provides a good crunch whilst not being particularly greasy, while the meat within carried a good, firm bite while at it and tightly wrapping around the meat encased within. Drenched in the “tangy savoury sauce”, this would be the tomato-based sauce that comes with the inclusion of Worcestershire sauce that is typically found in the classic Hainanese Western dishes — one that is gradually difficult to find around the island. The sauce definitely delivered in terms of what the menu describes it to be; tangy and savoury, whilst also coming with sufficient depth in its flavour that helps to add on to the taste of the pork chop — it also comes with the peas, carrots and corn nibs as well as the caramelised onion that one would typically find accompanying the sauce. The fries served on the side comes adequately seasoned in salt; coming lightly crisp but with a fluffy interior — also not particularly greasy, while the broccoli and carrots were soft to chew on.

During our visit, we also gave the Orange Chocolate Butter Cake a go. This was a relatively simple butter cake that whiffs of a fragrant note of butter just like how one would expect a typical butter cake would be — there is a slight zingy note of orange from the infusion of orange flavours in the cake, while the nibs of chocolate chip comes slightly gooey for a bit of sweetness to match up against everything else. The Roselle Tea here comes unsweetened; carried a floral note that runs at the back of the tongue which we found to be particularly refreshing with all the meats and carbs we were having. Prices of Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice’s Hainanese Chicken Rice dishes starts from $7.30; the dishes in its Rice & Noodles category are priced slightly higher at more than $10, while the Hainanese Western dishes are listed at $18.80 to $19.80 — this does make the non-Hainanese Chicken Rice offerings at Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice feel a tad pricey to say the least. That being said, Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice is a brand recognised for its quality; the Hainanese Pork Cutlet does hit the spot and resolve the cravings that we were having for the dish, while the portions are also seemingly generous as well. More of a spot that would do well as an occasional splurge especially for family gatherings.