Maxwell Food Centre: Famous Tian Tian Chicken Rice

Maxwell Food Centre is a hawker food court right in the heart of Singapore. Singapore food guide: migrationology.com/2016/01/sin...
There are many hawker food centers in Singapore, but one of the most well known in the center of the city is Maxwell Food Centre, home to a number of legendary food stalls, and a food court that attracts both local Singaporeans and plenty of tourists. When I asked where to eat Singapore chicken rice in Singapore, one of the many suggestions was Tian Tian Chicken Rice, the most well known stall at Maxwell, and perhaps one of the busiest stalls in all of Singapore. The stall has been publicized by many tv shows and celebrities.
Ying and I arrived to Maxwell quite early, about 11 am, in an effort to beat the main lunchtime rush, and luckily we arrived so it wasn’t too busy. But Tian Tian chicken rice still had a line, with about 20 people in front of us. Luckily, the line didn’t take long and we ordered ½ a chicken and a plate of rice and brought it back to a table. Additionally, I was also interested in trying the fish bee hoon from a stall called Jing Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon, which oftentimes has an equally long line of hungry customers.
Let’s start with the chicken rice. The rice was very sticky and fragrant with garlic and shallots. The chicken for me was a little on the soft side, a little too soft, and it was drenched in an oily gravy sauce. The chicken overall wasn’t my favorite… I think it was too soft and it lacked that good chicken texture. The sauce, which included a combination of chilies, garlic, and ginger, was pretty good - drinkable good. Overall, I like the rice and the sauce, but definitely I tried better boiled Hainanese chicken I think. A well known Singapore food blogger, Dr. Leslie Tay (ieatishootipost.sg/best-chicke...) conducted a survey about the best chicken rice in Singapore and Tian Tian Chicken Rice was the clear winner, so it’s still a favorite in Singapore, but it seems that everyone has their own favorite in the city.
The fish bee hoon from Jing Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon I thought was pretty good. It was plain and soothing, with a milky broth and fresh slices of fish. It made a good tasting, healthy, and light dish to accompany my chicken rice. There are a lot more dishes to try at Maxwell Food Centre as well, so it’s a great place to browse around and eat when you’re in Singapore.
Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Address: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St
Open hours: 11 am - 8 pm (closed on Monday)
Prices: I had the ½ chicken for $12 SGD, but you can just get rice topped with chicken for much less
Jing Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon
Address: Stall #77 at Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St
Open hours: 11 am - 8:30 pm (closed on Thursday)
Prices: $5 SGD
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[@adzim90]

I admire how positive you are towards food most of the time, despite your preferences. Keep it up Mark!

[@rain74925]

Appreciate your honesty, Mark. You are just one good vlogger. Awesome job.

[@TrevorParkJones]

Fantastic Mark, those dishes look very simple, yet very delicious!! I'm definitely going to have to make a point to go to Singapore!! Thank you Mark and Ying for all the work you do!!!

[@botanyao]

thank you very much for the videos :D thoroughly enjoyed them. happy chinese new year!!

[@omshankar9229]

im loving you are uploading lots of videos now a days keep it up mark

[@IndigenousRevolutionary]

Love your videos Brahda! I apreciate your passion for food and how it shows in your facial expressions. Keep it up. From Kailua, Hawaii we love you Bro.

[@tomh1106]

I detected panic in your voice when you said "where are the slices of fish" 😆 Great video as usual Mark

[@HyattRegencyOC]

Hey there Mark! I was in Singapore the exact same time you were (visiting from California). I think we just missed each other at Banana Leaf Apolo, Tai Hwa AND Maxwell. Thank you for all the food videos in Bangkok. I went to most of the restaurants on my last trip there. :)

[@JG-lv1wq]

Hey Mark ! I was in Singapore last month and I visited Maxwell food centre and ate at Tian Tian as you had recommended it !! And it was delicious!! The rice was fragrant and juicy chicken !

[@etv4975]

I plan to go to Bangkok this summer and his videos are extremely helpful!

[@goyocode]

I appreciate how I can watch your videos on mute, and know just how good a particular dish was. Keep up the transparency.

[@dragonfx310]

When you're a veteran of watching Mark's videos and you instantly know whether or not he really likes the food. Levels of Marksomeness. 1st level: Several quick nods, head slightly tilted. 2nd level: The classic head sway from right to left. 3rd level: Eyes closed, mouth slightly ajar, satisfied chuckle, visible shaking and a super slow-mo head sway. Also awesome shirt ideas if you want to expand your brand, Mark!

[@behib110]

you forgot the "OH WOW!" and the "MMMMM...." lol

[@blossomlikearose]

Oh Mark, that looks really good. i would love to eat some right now.:) Thanks for a great video! Thumbs up!

[@sivabalu7135]

Whenever I didn't feel hungriness in my tummy ,I'll start watching your Vlogs bro :-)

[@SpoonForkHeart]

The food looked great Mark, and I really liked the rain falling. Your camera, and Ying, did a great job picking that up :-)

[@MarkWiens]

+Spoon Fork Heart Thank you!

[@myu8303]

I only had the Hainanese Chicken when we were in Singapore but I had never forgotten how delicious and tender the chicken was. I too preferred crispy deep fried or roasted type of chicken so to discover boiled chicken could equally be as delicious was a huge surprise for me and my mom. Though I could no longer remember which Food Center I went to buy that chicken though.

[@GG-pb1eg]

Love this hawker centre!!!!! Would so go back to Singapore just for all the cheap yummy food!!! Hi from Australia!

[@revinaque1342]

I've been waiting for a chicken rice video. Thanks, Mark! Any news on the Bhutan series?

[@justinlacanaria3657]

Yummy!! Very great video mark.

[@chefmike9945]

seeing chicken rice made me very happy. I make my own at home. I do love the boiled chicken skin. it's the best.

[@zaanmyesterio4478]

The food doesnt taste that good when there is no 'mark's reaction'! Hahahah

[@Phillykappa215]

I watch all of your video any chance I get!! I even watch your video every time I'm eating! you make me obsess bro

[@MarkWiens]

+Phillyn Noeun Thank you!

[@dicksontan2057]

Well done Mark great video.Good job.....Cheers

[@Yuppers20]

Mark was just honest when he tasted the food and it's not that good. You really know Mark when he likes the food, his head will sway to the right and close his eyes smiling. I watched so many food blogger but Mark is unique! Hope you can visit Vancouver too with Ying and Micah. All the best!

[@brentthompson9597]

What a great food court!! Thanks for yet another fantastic installment! You two be safe, and enjoy!

[@stevenneo2019]

sometime recommendation don't always seem good. best is to explore our own taste bud.

[@MarkWiens]

+steven neo Thanks Steven

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

+Mark Wiens Mark, I was just watching #AndrewZimmern last night on another installment of his show, "Delicious Destinations" and guess what? He was here! Yep, he did his show on / about Singapore, yay!!!

[@ethanj1598]

+Mark Wiens mark do some indian food in singapore bro .. good stuff

[@Jabarten]

+steven neo Isn't that the truth....Here's my Problems with living in Florida: No decent Asian, no decent BBQ, no decent Steaks (too many years in Kansas), no decent Italian Subs, no sushi, no pizza...just touristy garbage for appealing to people with no taste from up north...at least we have great seafood...LOL! And I am growing gills on my neck...ROFL! Oh, and forget about the Rum Runners...just my views...

[@onlysaviour3283]

He always exaggerates his reaction on each n every food

[@jbuzzy]

I've never been to Singapore but I am a big fan of chicken and rice for breakfast. I just love the rice that comes with khoa man gai it's so flavorful. Thanks for the video.

[@MarkWiens]

+Lek Buzzy Thank you, does make a great breakfast dish!

[@OfficialFarlandrMusic]

Awesome video as always Mark!

[@MarkWiens]

+OfficialFarlandr Thank you!

[@linzeymolina5045]

GOOD VIDEO ONCE AGAIN MARK THANK YOU!WITH RESPECT ALWAYS MR MOLINA SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA!

[@elizabethharrison5513]

the chicken and rice looks yummy.....enjoyed the video...thanks mark & ying.....

[@kibreddy]

This is the first video of your with a dish that I have actually tried myself. So I have context for once. Me and wifey were mind blown by the subtlety and complexity of this dish at Tian Tian. Yet no classic Mark Wiens head swing here! Tian Tian must be having a bad day.

[@ngtilui]

Tian tian is for tourists only. We don't really like it.

[@remotedarren]

Man, I've missed your videos Mark, need to catch up. I loved Maxwell Food Centre, didn't try the Tian Tian Chicken Rice. Didn't particularly enjoy my stay in Singapore but I am blaming the weather and horrible hotel, will go back one day though.

[@metalizechicken]

Maxwell food centre is a really old food centre, that used to have drains and smelly sewage everywhere inside, but there are still some of the really old stores there that have the best food in Maxwell. Would recommend the five spices store, its been there since like forever, which has been overshadowed by popular media on the chicken rice and fish soup.

[@BAdventures]

Very tasty looking fish noodle soup. The steamed chicken look yummy too =)

[@blackhorse7553]

B Adventures Travel Vlogs True...food is quite good...there will always be mind block negative people around talking craps

[@pbateson]

Maxwell Food centre had a lot of people to eat and cheap prices. Tian Tian chicken and fish bee hoon are saap. You got nerve of steel on the people on very long queues. Great video Mark

[@elrabbitstacticalreviewsl3737]

That chicken rice is so famous. great video and howdy from somewhere in Texas Mr Mark.

[@MarkWiens]

+El Rabbit's Tactical, Survival Thank you!

[@silentsnake820]

i really like your videos :) but i must admit the japan videos were my favorite

[@Kenandgrat]

the maxwell food court has a good char kwey tiow too.

[@glaucofernando9154]

Your face reaction is awesome! hehehe

[@evogardens]

Hi Ying & Mark, Totally agree with you about the chicken skin...If it's not crispy I ain't eating it! New T-shirt slogan! Hah. Jim.

[@bluemoonconstruction]

You lucked out. When we were there last month, the wait was over an hour for Tian Tian. We ended up at Ah-Tai which was outstanding.

[@MarkWiens]

+Blue Moon Construction, LLC. Wow!

[@anniem5487]

Great!!!thats my fave too!waiting for bhutan adventure of yours!!👍🏻👌🏻

[@drzeus7044]

Yes, rice is so fragrant so delicious 😋

[@jxnasmr9020]

Hi Mark! Welcome to Singapore!! hehe

[@oneboonkeng1008]

Hi Mark , you missed a very popular fish soup stall at Amoy Street Food Centre . It is located very near to Maxwell Road one . Be prepared to wait if you are there during peak hours . It is even better than the one you had . Try it out .

[@Fnatic2010]

Honest opinion Mark, Honest opinion. That is what we need. You don't have to show that obligatory head tilting. Before it was genuine, honest but now it just feels obligatory. Just like how michelle phan used to be really honest, casual and all she does is giving life advices like she is entitled to it and act snobbish. I think you know this people been commenting it recently on your videos. Still I enjoy your videos so much that I have watched all your videos. I like your contents just no longer that head bobbing.

[@7erencee]

Hi mark, I love your channel keep up the good work👍🏼

[@olgamolina1709]

Mark I wish you could come to San Francisco ❤️❤️please do so you can experience our diversity in our delicious food

[@amandac3658]

You actually should try the fish soup at Amoy food centre. It's called han lee fish soup. Quite plain but really nice!

[@imkayfull]

I don't necessarily think the chicken rice and fish beehon is overrated because Mark didn't enjoy it as much as other foods he's eaten. You have to realize, everyone's taste preferences are very different. Mark's preference is all about the strong flavours, especially spicy (I think that is a habit of Thai people since their foods are mostly very heavy and spicy). But many people including my family who is Cantonese love food that is simple, pure, and light. So we enjoyed the chicken rice and would've enjoyed the fish beehon A LOT more than Mark would've. And personally, I wouldn't even have put so much spicy sauce on the chicken, it just ruins the natural flagrance of the chicken and the rice.

[@MarkWiens]

+Ricky Leung Thanks for your input Ricky!

[@tosht2515]

Mark loves spicy for sure but if you watch any of his Japan videos, you'll see that he also greatly enjoys pure, often simple, non-spicy dishes as well.

[@imkayfull]

+Tosh T Yea, I was surprised. I guess raw fish is an exception.

[@keithli6409]

Welcome to Singapore Mark !

[@leomartinez4398]

3:12 in the back that guys backpack touched that lady and she was like wtf was that lol

[@_JohnessaCung]

lol

[@JesusMySaviour1717]

Thumps up for this recommendation, Mark! Delicious! I just had it today at Jalan Sultan road at this hotel called "Hotel Boss" yummy!!!

[@MarkWiens]

+Tracy Ryan Thank Tracy, hope you've having fun in Singapore!

[@JesusMySaviour1717]

+Mark Wiens I didn't stay in hotel boss but working there.. I can have it everyday! 😁

[@MacBBakesTheCakes]

Everything is Delicious :)

[@thehangover69]

Hi Mark, do you like Thung Thong Jai? can you do a video of eastern starter dishes?

[@desikadissanayake2710]

I.love Singapore food...& love Singapore law....low ...every things ...

[@volcomstonin]

Mark! Please do a meet and greet with your Singaporean fans if you're still here!

[@MarkWiens]

+Dominic Wong Hey Dominic, we're already gone, but I did have a small meet and greet while I was there. Will try to have another when I come again.

[@songstanley8996]

mark, you'd miss out on the very famous stall that sell fresh mochi just a few stalls away from tian tian...the mochi is really good!!! let me know when you'll be here again then i can advise you where to go on nice singapore food stalls or restuarants.

[@vicioussuspicious894]

Go to Durumzade in Istanbul! Anthony Bourdain loved it!

[@seggiarmandi]

We miss your vlogs so badly, Mark :(

[@MacBBakesTheCakes]

True :(

[@kulupingerzi]

+Seggi Armandi Yes you're right. Hope he uploads long videos again.

[@nickburningham5143]

Frequently there are comments about how much Mark has enjoyed a meal based on a perceived scale of reactions running from a nod, or "Oh yeh", to head tilting and eyes closed. There is probably some validity to that scale, but it must also depend on his mood. He's not a robot.

[@mdfaqih1723]

hi mark n ying. me n my wife are huge fan of yr food videos etc. We are sporean and would highly recommend the both of u eat at Ummi Abdullah 'nasi ambeng' at East Village. I guarantee u wont regret it. Anyways always enjoy ur videos n welcome to spore!

[@MarkWiens]

+md faqih Thank you for the recommendation!

[@fangcooks5643]

mouth is watering!

[@MarkWiens]

+FangCooks Thanks!

[@Alpha-Alpha]

Mark, haha, I have been to this food store too :) But I was disappointed, the chicken is no where close to the ones we have at HK and China....

[@TheAlvMeister]

Hey Mark, ever thought of coming into Malaysia, Johor? I've seen your Penang & KL videos and I really think you should pay South Malaysia (Malacca, Johor) a visit. I'll be more than happy to bring you around Johor.

[@idawan09]

Yea agreed with you

[@juzloopz24]

he already visited

[@userbima9775]

Miss singapore food i love et chicken rice

[@benchee4945]

Mark, have you been to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia? Should explore it too

[@dianabeets5854]

love your videos mark,can you also show some of the sights?

[@MarkWiens]

+Jennifer Keller Thank you Jennifer, will try.

[@dianabeets5854]

welcome cool

[@loveandoneness5283]

Watching this at 4.23am, salivating :'(

[@mrmanna5320]

Mark , you should definately try Lau Pa Sat satay , its the bomb!

[@delvyn18]

hey mark weins,since your over at singapore,try out the famous katong laksa too.

[@aulirachman7868]

this is very good

[@HatsuneNeko01]

Omg I must eat that Rise with chicken looks good. 🍚🍗🍖

[@maslindarespect74]

Tks mark for being frank about the fd comments.......waiting more videos frm u n ying,cant wait for ur comments on halal fd u had in singapore.

[@MarkWiens]

+cheeky spongee Thank you!

[@scrubkity3105]

I'm glad you feel the same way I do about boiled chicken fat..😊

[@nilotpalmishra5594]

your magic is such that even if you drink a glass of water and move your head and eyes in your typical style then definately it will bring water in my mouth.

[@bullchef8739]

I miss chicken rice and laksa and old changkee, kaya toast and teh tarik in kopitiam

[@misterb1az3d]

mmm.. juicily delicious!

[@bonittomi5095]

it was 24 hour crowded by visitor in 2005-2007 because some venues around, but the venues are missing now

[@kurlexchoi]

I like Hainan Chicken With the Rice. For most viewers here like him, they're used of having crispy chicken skins so Roasted Chicken/Fried Chicken would suit them.

[@peonyminecraftlover3874]

please do more video with curry!!!

[@slackerz35]

hey mark. if u stil in Singapore. u MUST try Mee Rebus located at ang mo kio central hawket centre stall name is Haji Yusoff mee rebus. one of the best in Singapore.

[@MarkWiens]

+slackerz35 Thank you, already gone, but will remember for next time.

[@-EchoesIntoEternity-]

one thing i learned from my singaporean friends, no one can agree to which place has the best chicken rice. to each their own lol

[@lcl7222]

Good job buddy

[@joyjoyoo]

Is bee hoon 米粉？那个鱼汤看着不错

[@Dr.Mrs.TheMonarch]

Hey Mark, Don't feed the ego of the already successful. Maybe when Anthony Bourdain ate there it was better. If the food sucked, just say so. Your reputation of being honest is what got you where you are now. Don't change that. Those of us that have been watching your videos for awhile now, can tell by your expressions and how you word things whether you like something or not. I look forward to your next video =)

[@MarkWiens]

+Kaymin Pendragon Thank you Kaymin!

[@emmanuel7540]

nice mark......i envy u..

[@Renegadeproject]

I was there a few years ago at the hawker centre

[@masaka7605]

Hannaniese Chicken Rice, one of my favorite.

[@twinbeauty91]

mark please come to sydney!!

[@phanhuang]

I like to try all the foods u eating.

[@merlindahuang2494]

I am really like this chicken rice... Best chicken rice

I'm sorry but I'm gonna have a trip to Singapore next month and I would like to ask where can we put our trays after we finish our meals at food courts? Do we have to return to the stalls or are there places for dirty trays? Thanks very much!

[@SilaKazama]

Hi Mark, another good video. I can tell that the chicken wasn't that good. I know you prefer Kow Mun Gai and its sauce ;)

[@foodreview7761]

When you come to Europe and introduce european food e.g. german food?

[@MarkWiens]

+USA Food & Vacation I would love to!

[@shahgauchos]

+Mark Wiens there's a place called Hajjah Maimunah at Joo Chiat Road. Opposite to Joo Chiat Complex. Tons of good local Malay cuisine!

[@ngjoycelaura]

Fabulous foods eateeeeeeeeee

[@farrie82]

I have to agree. I'm not a fan of boiled chicken. I had chicken rice at the Lau Pa Sat market and they had the choice of the boiled or roasted chicken. I went with the roasted!!

[@Sam-wl3fk]

@ min 2 the fish soup why is it white? what did they mix it with so the soup became cream white

[@lowmengchoong123]

U gotta try the fried oyster snack at maxwell food centre

[@hacisten2801]

@mark wiens when are u going to turkey