TLDR
Hainanese chicken rice perfection w/ stellar dipping sauces. Also great roasted chicken & coffee pork ribs.
Details
Uncle Ray's is celebrated for its authentic Hainanese chicken rice, with a focus on delicately poached chicken and flavorful, gingery rice cooked in chicken broth [1]. The accompanying dipping sauces are also a highlight [2]. While the chicken rice is often described as perfectly cooked and a great value, some diners have found the chicken itself to be bland and the rice overly salty [2], [3]. The restaurant also offers other well-regarded dishes like roasted chicken and coffee pork ribs [4].
Food Overview
Uncle Ray's is highly acclaimed for its Hainanese chicken rice, featuring delicately poached chicken and flavorful, gingery rice cooked in chicken broth [1], [2]. The dipping sauces are particularly noteworthy [2]. While many find the chicken rice to be excellent and a great value, some reviews mention the chicken being bland and the rice excessively salty [2], [3]. Other recommended dishes include roasted chicken and coffee pork ribs [4].
Highlights / Recommended
"The Hainanese chicken rice is highly recommended, with particular praise for the excellent dipping sauces and the flavorful, gingery rice. Roasted chicken and coffee pork ribs are also mentioned as standout dishes."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •hainanese chicken rice(2)
- •poached hainanese chicken rice(2)
- •roasted hainanese chicken(2)
- •claypot seafood porridge(2)
- •char siu(2)
Caveats
One reviewer mentioned bathroom access through the kitchen and its small size as cons [2]. The restaurant is described as a storefront and operates on a walk-ins only basis [1], [8].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About UNCLE RAY'S
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Nyc Hainanese Chicken Rice Roundup Hainan Chicken
"This user inquired whether the original poster tried both poached and roasted chicken at Uncle Ray's, expressing a personal preference for the roasted chicken, though noting its flavor can vary."
NeutralFrom post: Nyc Hainanese Chicken Rice Roundup Hainan Chicken
"This commenter stated that the same person founded both Uncle Ray's Chicken Rice and Hainan Jones, and they prefer Uncle Ray's, especially because it includes ginger paste. They also mentioned that Uncle Ray's is in the former location of Hell's Kitchen Tradisyon, another favorite."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Hainanese Chicken Rice Roundup Hainan Chicken
"The original poster noted that Three Roosters is located right next to Uncle Ray's but they hadn't noticed it before."
NeutralFrom post: Nyc Hainanese Chicken Rice Roundup Hainan Chicken
"This commenter recommended 'Three Roosters,' a Thai-style restaurant, as an alternative, noting it's located next to Uncle Ray's and is equally delicious."
NeutralFrom post: Nyc Hainanese Chicken Rice Roundup Hainan Chicken
"This commenter found Uncle Ray's Chicken Rice to be terribly salty, particularly the rice, and recommended Wok Wok Noodle House or Singapore Social instead."
NegativeFrom post: Nyc Hainanese Chicken Rice Roundup Hainan Chicken
"The author found Uncle Ray's Chicken Rice to have excellent dipping sauces and well-prepared chicken rice, offering a typical NYC restaurant experience and convenience. However, the chicken itself was described as bland and requiring ample sauce. The bathroom access through the kitchen and its small size were noted as cons, as was the soup, which had added cabbage flavors instead of being a typical chicken broth."
NeutralFrom post: Where Does Stephen Colbert Order His Steamed
"Mentions Uncle Ray's in relation to the discussion about chicken."
NeutralFrom post: Visit Soon Are There Any Singaporean Restaurants
"Uncle Ray's is stated to have the best Hainanese chicken in NYC, possibly better in flavor than Singaporean places but more expensive."
PositiveFrom post: Visit Soon Are There Any Singaporean Restaurants
"Uncle Ray's in Hell's Kitchen is mentioned."
NeutralFrom post: Visit Soon Are There Any Singaporean Restaurants
"The commenter found Uncle Ray's after a trip to Singapore and started a quest for similar foods."
NeutralFrom post: Visit Soon Are There Any Singaporean Restaurants
"Commenter calls Uncle Ray's their personal favorite for Hainanese chicken rice in NYC and also mentions the coffee pork ribs."
PositiveFrom post: Visit Soon Are There Any Singaporean Restaurants
"Uncle Ray's is recommended as an excellent option for Hainanese Chicken Rice."
PositiveFrom post: Visit Soon Are There Any Singaporean Restaurants
"Uncle Ray's Chicken Rice is mentioned as being good and specializing in chicken rice."
PositiveFrom post: Something Easy Lunch Or Dinner For 2 Demoralized
"Uncle Ray's Chicken Rice is recommended."
PositiveFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"This is one of many restaurants listed by the commenter from the NYTimes list."
Neutral