Ricky’s Chicken Rice North Adelaide
5:30pm - 10:00pm
Ricky’s. The name is synonymous with Hainanese chicken rice from the ever-popular Ricky’s Chicken Rice in Chinatown’s Market Plaza Food Court. But around a decade ago owner Ricky Chau sold up and moved on. He opened Ricky’s Kitchen in Southern Cross Arcade before leaving to open a stall at Kilburn’s Churchill Centre.
With Chau settled in Kilburn, couple Anne Feng and Allen Kim are behind the North Adelaide incarnation of Ricky’s Chicken Rice – Feng’s mum is the owner of the Chinatown Store.
Feng enjoyed helping out so much she wanted to open her own Ricky’s; Kim also worked at the Chinatown location.
Their restaurant is distinct from those that share its name. Kim, who’s Korean, has included dishes that reflect his upbringing: kimchi-and-pork dumplings and pajeon (a spring-onion pancake with prawns). The well-travelled pair also drew from their dining experiences on recent trips to Taiwan, Japan and China.
Plenty of Malaysian favourites still have a place on the menu. Just like at the original Ricky’s, there’s Hainanese chicken rice, drunken chicken and char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles).
A dessert menu is also on the horizon; Kim teases a Taiwanese pineapple cake and a sweet Korean-style pancake with nuts.
The venue isn’t licensed but there are plans for it in the near future. Currently there’s Taiwanese-style iced tea and non-alcoholic Mojitos.
Kim’s parents are behind the fit-out. It’s bright and unashamedly cute: a cartoon chicken (designed by Feng’s sister) adorns the signage, patterned cushions cover the seats and colourful illustrations line the walls.
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