Singapore Tourism Board Backs Paris Chicken Rice Festival

Singapore Tourism Board Supports Paris Celebration

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is backing a series of events in Paris this October aimed at promoting Hainanese chicken rice, a signature Singaporean dish.

Organised by The Hood Paris, a South-east Asian cafe, and its cultural platform BLK65, the initiative includes a live storytelling event on 7 October and a social media campaign culminating on International Chicken Rice Day, 10 October.

The campaign, which also receives support from the Singapore Global Network, aims to showcase the dish's historical and global journey, inviting participants to share their personal connections to chicken rice. The Hood Paris, established in 2016 by Singaporean entrepreneur Pearlyn Lee, is known for championing Asian cuisine in the French capital.

Live Event Explores Dish's Origins

Ahead of the wider campaign, The Hood Paris and BLK65 will host “No Seat, No Problem: The Story Behind Singapore’s Hainanese Chicken Rice” on 7 October. This live storytelling experience, led by Singaporean urban and cultural geographer Ho Yong Min of The Urbanist Singapore, will explore the evolution of the dish and its cultural significance.

The event, held from 6:30 PM to 10 PM at The Hood Paris at 80 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, is free to enter, though food and drinks are charged. The first 100 guests will receive a complimentary small serving of chicken rice and The Hood Paris' house-made kaya, which have been menu staples since the restaurant opened.

The evening will also feature a Singapore Fling cocktail, made with Orientalist Gunpowder Gin, and music composed by Singaporean pianist Wang Congyu.

Global Social Media Campaign Launched

The centrepiece of the initiative is a social media campaign for International Chicken Rice Day on 10 October. Participants worldwide are encouraged to post using the hashtag #1010ChickenRiceDay, tagging their city and sharing stories about their introduction to the dish, who prepares it for them, where they seek it when abroad, or its broader meaning.

Restaurants and chefs are also invited to contribute by sharing their own interpretations and the narratives behind them. Organisers clarify that the campaign is not a contest to find the “best” chicken rice but rather a collective effort to document how the dish has established itself across the globe.

STB's Cultural Promotion Efforts

The Singapore Tourism Board's support for this Parisian event shows its commitment to promoting Singaporean culture and cuisine on an international stage. Such initiatives aim to foster global appreciation for the island nation's heritage, reaching both industry professionals and potential travellers.

This cultural outreach in a key European market like Paris helps to raise Singapore's profile as a culinary and cultural hub, with the STB anticipating increased visitor numbers from the region throughout 2027.