Checking in on an old friend, Tian Tian, Singapore

On our recent trip back to Singapore, Tian Tian Hainese chicken at Maxwell food centre was on our to-eat list. We had visited previously, and were well impressed with their chicken rice.. the finest example we have found of this classic dish. We wanted to check in on this old friend, the succulent boiled chicken, plump slices sitting on a fragrant rice with a bowl of the peppered cooking broth.



Our friend is doing well, and still as delicious as ever. All washed down with a glass of fresh sugarcane juice from the stall across the way. We will see you both next time we are in Singapore!

Tian Tian Hiananese Chicken Rice
Stall no. 10
Maxwell Food Center
11 S Bridge Road, Singapore 058656

11am - 8pm, closed Monday


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Samui's famous Khao Mon Gai

At Mike's birthday bash the end of the evening evolved into drinking games and magic tricks and all 'round craziness. Despite this Kim and I both recalled talking to some locals about an amazing khao mon gai stall that was supposed to be within walking distance of Kelli & Glenn's place. This is supposed to be 'the' place the locals travel to, from all over the island, for their fix of khao mon gai, or chicken rice.



On several occasions we tried to find it ..... the directions were a bit hazy (or at least our heads were) and we weren't having luck from the beach side or the road side. But one day, scooting through Bang Po beach, from the Na Thon side we spot an unassuming little place that had about 6 cars and a pile of scooters outside. We wanted to check it out regardless ..... but turns out this was the spot!



We walk in, there's some glass cabinets with the chickens hanging in all their glory, and some plastic tables down on the sand.



There's a cute little jar of firey vinegar / chilli sauce with a little dish of fresh chilli's and tiny garlic cloves acting as a lid.



There's also a stack of little ramekins, piled high, in a little wooden stand that intrigues us both.



2 plates of chicken rice soon distract us from the little tower and we dig in. The chicken is plump and juicy, sitting on top a beautifully fragrant rice, with a few slices of cucumber and a little dish of soy and ginger sauce. A small bowl of the chicken soup and it's a chicken-licious trifecta! I add a touch of the chilli vinegar to both my chicken and the soup. Mmm.



We notice everyone around seems to be enjoying a few of the little dishes that are piled up on the tables so we dive on in ....... on first glance it appears to be a cute little coconut custard.



Once we scoop in, it's apparant there is a layer of gooey pandanus custard underneath.



A fantastic finish to an incredible lunch. And all this, including 2 drinks, for under 100B.

Siripoca Khao Mon Gai
Bang Po Beach
Koh Samui, Thailand


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Tian Tian Chicken Rice, Singapore

When you're in Singapore and you mention chicken rice everyone's a connoisseur .. a few names get mentioned more than the rest and one name more than them. Tian Tian located in Maxwell Food Center is the big cheese of chicken rice, top of the game as long as most can remember.

As you wander into Maxwell a queue that stretches from one side to the other catches your eye and that's the place. It makes you feel sorry for the other chicken rice places in there, one seems to even bat an eye at them let alone show any interest in their wares... We join the queue which is moves along at a great pace (I hate standing in queues that don't move when you know there's something great at the end) and suddenly we're there faced with decisions small (S$2.80), big (S$3.50) or half a bird ... we go for two bigs, each comes with half a dozen slices of plump juicy chicken, a mound of nice firm flavorful rice, sliced cucumber, dipping chilli and a peppery soup of the poaching stock. Lush!

I have to say it is the best chicken rice I have ever tasted, every thing so full of flavor but nothing more than the rest, so tender, so perfect, so want another one right now. This plus the near litre of fresh soursop drink from the stall opposite left us full to bursting..

A quick peak into the back of the stall reveals a well oiled production of blanching, poaching and refreshing chickens, being open for 9 hours a day they must keep a whole chicken farm or two in business.

.. On the way out I couldn't resist a go at an oyster cake.

Didn't know what it was but they looked so lovely just pulled from the wok all shiny and crispy.....mmmmmm delicious. It's a mixture of oysters, minced pork, Asian celery and peanuts all coated in a rice flour batter and deep fried. We found out later that that particular stall is one of the best in Singapore, huh there you go, lucky shot.

Just look for Anthony Bourdain's mug plastered on the side of the stall as a recommendation... not that I'm jealous much....really. But the cake was great give it a go.

There was so many other places that need our attention but so little stomach space, making a mental note to return we left Maxwell all happy smiles.



Maxwell Food Center
Maxwell Road

Chinatown

Tian Tian Hiananese Chicken Rice
Stall 10
11am - 8pm closed Monday

Mdm Hoon Delicacy
Stall 5
9.30am - 6pm closed Sunday