Chin Chin Eating House: Menu, Reviews, History & Owner

There’s a small stretch of Purvis Street in Singapore where the smell of ginger rice and soy sauce has lingered for nearly a century at number 19, home to Chin Chin Eating House, a Hainanese institution since the 1930s. This guide separates fact from confusion — because the name “Chin Chin” also belongs to a Melbourne hotspot and an American chain — and tells you exactly what to expect when you visit.

Year Established: 1930s ·
Address: 19 Purvis Street, Singapore ·
Specialty: Hainanese Chicken Rice ·
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.0 / 5 ·
Atmosphere: No-frills, heritage setting

Seven facts, one pattern: Chin Chin Eating House is a simple, longstanding Hainanese eatery with consistent hours and a loyal following.

Who is the owner of Chin Chin Restaurant?

Chin Chin Eating House is a family-run Hainanese establishment on Purvis Street. Unlike the trendy Chin Chin in Melbourne, which is owned by Chris Lucas (restaurateur and founder of Lucas Restaurants), the Singapore original keeps its ownership private. No official source names a single owner today — the restaurant has likely remained in the same family for generations, but concrete details are scarce (ieatishootipost).

The implication: If you’re searching for the owner to ask about history, you’ll need to visit in person and chat with the staff. No website or public listing reveals the family name.

How noisy is Chin Chin Eating House?

Reviews describe the atmosphere as lively and lively, with an open kitchen and chatter from regulars. TripAdvisor reviewers frequently mention noise – some find it charming, others distracting. No official decibel levels are published, but multiple blog posts note it can be loud during peak lunch and dinner hours (Miss Tam Chiak).

The trade-off: The energy adds to the old-school charm, but it’s not the place for a hushed conversation.

What is chin chin called in English?

The name “Chin Chin” has no official English translation for the restaurant. It likely derives from a Hainanese pronunciation or a colloquial expression, rather than a direct English equivalent. ieatishootipost’s 2007 review treats the name as simply the restaurant’s identity. The question often arises because “chin chin” is also a popular Nigerian fried snack, but that is unrelated to this Singapore eatery (Wikipedia – the snack).

Why this matters: If you’re telling a taxi driver in Singapore “Chin Chin,” they’ll know you mean Purvis Street. In any other context, you’ll need to specify “the old one on Purvis Street.”

What is on the menu at Chin Chin Eating House?

Hainanese Chicken Rice

• Steamed chicken with ginger rice – the signature dish. Half chicken at $14, whole at $28 (DanielFoodDiary).
• The rice is cooked with ginger and chicken broth, not oil-heavy like some modern versions.

Other signature dishes

• Hainanese pork chop: $6/$10/$15 (Chin Chin Eating House Menu).
• Sweet and sour pork: $10/$15.
• Sambal kangkong: $8/$12.
• Prawn paste chicken: $10/$15.
• Black pepper prawn: $15/$25.

Mutton soup special

• Claypot mutton at $12/$20 – a hearty, slow-cooked dish that regulars love (DanielFoodDiary).
• Also available: Hainanese mix vegetable ($10/$15/$20) and Hokkien mee ($4.50/$8).

The pattern: The menu is a hybrid of classic chicken rice and family-style zi char, with prices that remain moderate by 2025 standards. Many dishes are exactly as they were decades ago (DanielFoodDiary).

Who are Chris Lucas, Michael Lambie, and Leeann Chin?

These names often surface in searches for “Chin Chin” and cause confusion. Here’s how each relates (or doesn’t) to the Purvis Street original.

Michael Lambie is a chef who has worked with Lucas Restaurants and is occasionally mentioned in connection with Chin Chin Melbourne. He is not associated with the Singapore outlet.

Why this matters: If you’re researching for a food blog or planning a trip, always add “Singapore” or “Purvis Street” to your query to filter out the Melbourne and US results.

Upsides & Downsides

Overall, Chin Chin Eating House offers a unique heritage experience with some trade-offs.

Clarity: What we know vs. what we don’t

Confirmed facts and unresolved questions as of 2025.

These distinctions help set realistic expectations for diners.

What regulars say

“This is an original 1930s eating house specialising in ginger rice and poached chicken and is absolutely sensational.”

— TripAdvisor reviewer (TripAdvisor)

“Chin Chin: Resurrection of an old Hainanese Institution” – a 2007 blog post that brought renewed attention to the restaurant.

— ieatishootipost (ieatishootipost)

“Mr Chris Lucas the owner of @chinchin and many other Melbourne restaurants.”

— Ducere Foundation profile (Ducere Foundation)

For a hungry visitor in Singapore wondering where to get affordable, authentic Hainanese chicken rice, the choice is clear: head to 19 Purvis Street and join the queue. Or, if you prefer a chain with air conditioning and a reservation system, Boon Tong Kee Balestier offers a reliable alternative. For those seeking a modern zi char experience with a different vibe, Tanglin Cookhouse PLQ is another option worth considering. But for the real old-school taste of Hainanese cooking, Chin Chin Eating House remains irreplaceable.

For another taste of Singapore’s heritage kopitiam culture, Chin Mee Chin Confectionery offers a similarly nostalgic experience in Katong.

Frequently asked questions