Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice is Good

The 5 minutes mini-food documentary focused on the ‘Chicken Rice War’ between the two stalls there – Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice and Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice - had piqued my interest enough to make the trek back to Maxwell Food Court again.

So this visit was all about Ah Tai- an up and coming alternative poached chicken rice, situated ironically, right next to Tian Tian.

Generally, most tourists would head straight to Tian Tian due to its Michelin Bib Gourmand fame, and the stall was previously featured on Anthony Bourdain’s programme No Reservations.

Therefore, Ah Tai had a shorter waiting time and the hawkers were pretty friendly (though Tian Tian’s queue is also not as long now as compared to during its hey-days.)

I find Ah Tai to be better - it’s a more traditional taste, including the soya sauce aroma and less tangy (but spicier) chilli sauce vs Tian Tian’s. The rice is equally good both sides.

I’d say Ah Tai is a 7/10. Right up there with the best like Margaret Drive, Five Star, or the Boon Tong Kee’s (sorry if your favourite shop isn’t named).