Watch Chicken Rice War

Chicken Rice War is a 2000 Singaporean film that combines comedy, romance and political satire into a delightful dish. Directed by Chee Kong Cheah, the movie features a talented cast of Singaporean actors, including Pierre Png, May Yee Lum and Catherine Sng. The story is set in a small town in Singapore, where two hawker stalls – one selling chicken rice and the other selling pork rib soup – are situated across the street from each other. The owners of both stalls, Ah Heng (Pierre Png) and his father, and Auntie Lee (Catherine Sng) and her husband, have been bitter rivals for years, always trying to one-up each other by offering better dishes or cheaper prices.

The rivalry between these two stalls reaches new heights when a famous food critic, Ryan Lee (Gary Chuang), visits the town and declares that Auntie Lee’s pork rib soup is the best dish in Singapore. This triggers a series of events that escalate the conflict between the two hawker stalls and involve the whole town in their quarrels.

Meanwhile, Ah Heng falls in love with a beautiful Chinese-Malay girl, Audrey (May Yee Lum), who is also the daughter of the town’s mayor. Audrey is eager to help Ah Heng and Auntie Lee resolve their differences and bring peace to the town, but she has to deal with her conservative Chinese-Malay family and their objections to her relationship with Ah Heng.

As tensions rise between the two hawker stalls and their supporters, the election for the mayoral seat also heats up. Auntie Lee decides to run for mayor and promises to make the town a better place by improving its infrastructure, while Ah Heng’s father supports the incumbent mayor who promises to keep things the way they are.

What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming tale of love, food, and politics as the townspeople choose sides and try to resolve their differences. The film offers a delightful blend of comedy and romance, showcasing the absurdities of petty rivalries and the joys of finding love in unexpected places.

The cast is excellent, with Pierre Png delivering a charming performance as the young and ambitious Ah Heng, May Yee Lum bringing a strong and independent energy to her character Audrey, and Catherine Sng providing the perfect mix of humor and drama as Auntie Lee. Gary Chuang also shines as the food critic Ryan Lee, offering a sharp satire of the culinary world’s eccentricities.

The film’s cinematography is also noteworthy, capturing the vibrant colors and textures of the hawker stalls and the bustling atmosphere of the town. The use of food as a symbol of culture and identity is cleverly woven throughout the story, giving the movie a rich and authentic flavor.

In conclusion, Chicken Rice War is a delightful and entertaining Singaporean film that offers a unique perspective on the themes of rivalry, love, and politics. The movie showcases the talents of its cast, as well as the rich culture and diversity of Singaporean cuisine, making it a must-watch for fans of romantic comedies and culinary adventures alike.