Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice

Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice was started by Mr Wong who used to be the chef at the renowned Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. After a major spat with the owners, Mr Wong was fired. 4 months later, he started his own chicken rice stall just a stone throw away from Tian Tian. And so it begins, the famous chicken rice war at Maxwell Food Centre.

A good plate of chicken rice is often judged on 3 criteria. They are namely the rice, the chicken and the chili.

1. The Rice
Ah Tai’s rice is fragrant with a touch of garlic and ginger flavor that is not too overpowering. While I must say the rice may be a little lumpy, the rice itself is still fluffy, providing a nice bite to it. It is so good, you can even have the rice as a dish on its own!

2. The Chicken
As you would expect from the ex-chef of Tian Tian, the chicken from Ah Tai was well cooked (with no blood), succulent and tender. Even more noteworthy is the smooth gelatinous chicken skin that is so sinfully good (a result of plunging the chicken into an ice bath once cooked). I dare say this is definitely one of the best chicken you can get in Singapore.

3. The Chilli
Ah Tai’s chili sauce is spicier than your average chicken rice chili. If you are a chili lover, this sauce is for you. Be sure to also ask for a serving of the zingy ginger sauce to go along with the chili!

A plate of chicken rice will go for only S$3.00, however, I would usually go for the set which comes with a plate of vegetables and a larger serving of chicken at only S$5.00.

Lastly, if you are not willing to queue for Tian’s Tian’s chicken rice, why not give Ah Tai’s version a shot! With a shorter queue time that still offers comparable taste, it is definitely the alternative chicken rice stall at Maxwell Food Centre to satisfy your cravings.

PS: One interesting fact that i noticed on my last visit, Tian Tian’s queue was packed with tourist while Ah Tai’s queue was packed with more locals. Sometimes, i think it is better to trust the local’s taste than be influenced by the general media (after all Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain did visit Tian Tian).

Address:   #01-07 Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street
Opening hours:   11am – 7.30pm, Closed on Tuesday

Ratings
Price: 4/5
Taste: 4.5/5
Convenience: 4/5