A Singaporean staple done well

Talk of the town: US celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain remarked on his cooking program, 'No Reservations', that the rice here is so good, you can eat it on its own.

Noteworthy for: To cope with increasing demand, Tian Tian recently opened additional outlets at 443 Joo Chiat Road, 12 Jalan Pari Burong and Shenton House, 3 Shenton Way.

Once a hot contender for Singapore's national dish (chilli crab won), chicken rice is a staple snack for locals. The tender, juicy chicken dish accompanied by fluffy rice, sliced cucumber and homemade chilli-lime sauce is executed so perfectly at this Maxwell Food Centre stall that office workers are only too happy to spend their entire lunch hours queuing for a steaming plate.

Skip the crowds and head here before 12noon, or hold out until after 1.30pm to find out what all the fuss is about. Be sure to order rice with your chicken—for some reason this necessary condiment is sold separately.