HELL'S KITCHEN, MANHATTAN
Uncle Ray's Chicken Rice
Singapore-style chicken rice in Hell's Kitchen — roasted birds by the counter and a 2026 NYT nod.
Chicken rice is Singapore's national lunch, and Uncle Ray's on Ninth Avenue treats it with that seriousness. The roasted birds hang by the counter, glossy and bronzed; the chef learned the craft at Lou Yau Kee, the much-missed chicken-rice counter that came before.
The roasted Hainanese chicken rice is the order, with the poached version or a combo plate of both for anyone undecided. Chashu and fried pork chops round out the board. It is a counter-service lunch, and the New York Times included it on its 2026 list of the city's best restaurants.
Editor’s tip
Get the combo plate so you can taste the roasted and poached chicken side by side.
Make an evening of it — beautiful stops nearby
Also in the neighborhood
HELL'S KITCHEN, MANHATTAN
The Landmark Tavern
An 1868 Irish waterfront saloon in Hell's Kitchen — shepherd's pie, a slow pint and a century and a half of stories.
Irish · Hidden Gem · $$
HELL'S KITCHEN, MANHATTAN
Ariana Afghan Kebab
Kabuli palaw, mantu and aushak in a twelve-table room on Ninth Avenue.
Afghan · Hidden Gem · $
Editorial draft — core details last reviewed October 13, 2026. Confirm practical details with the official site before you go.