Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, the legendary hawker stall that has graced guidebooks, travel vlogs, and earned a nod from late culinary icon Anthony Bourdain, is writing its next chapter. On August 22, 2026, the 40-year-old institution opens its first full-fledged restaurant at Jewel Changi Airport—marking the brand’s sixth outlet and its most ambitious venture yet.
The 98-seat restaurant occupies a prime spot in Basement 2 of the mall, right next to Food Republic. While fans can expect the same celebrated chicken rice that made the Maxwell Food Centre stall famous, this location offers an expanded menu with several exclusive dishes unavailable elsewhere.
What You’ll Find on the Menu
The individual chicken set ($11) includes rice, chicken, and a bowl of soup. Diners can opt for a half-steamed, half-roasted combination for an additional 80 cents. For context, a medium plate of chicken rice at the original Maxwell stall costs about $6—roughly half the price—while a small roasted plate runs just $5.
Taste-wise, the signature remains consistent. The rice carries a subtle chicken fragrance but leans softer and slightly starchier than firmer renditions found elsewhere. The steamed chicken earns top marks: tender, silky flesh with a noticeable gelatinous layer beneath the skin, achieved by plunging the poached bird into an ice bath.
The roasted version, however, falls slightly short. Tian Tian’s signature sauce leans thicker and sweeter than the lighter, savoury variations many locals prefer. That same sticky reduction appears across most add-ons, from chicken gizzards and liver (from $1.60 per serving) to the outlet-exclusive crystal chicken feet ($9.80).
Exclusive Dishes Worth the Trip
The crystal chicken feet represent a comeback dish. Once a staple at the original stall, they were discontinued because deboning them daily proved too labour-intensive. Now painstakingly deboned until only the glassy, collagen-rich skin remains, they offer a pleasant crunch. Lightly dressed, they rely heavily on accompanying condiments for flavour.
Other exclusives include:
- Tian Tian Heritage Platter ($25.80): A shareable spread of Thai-style fried tofu, ngoh hiang, tiger prawn beancurd skin rolls, fried salad prawns, and Hainanese pork chop
- Founder Madam Foo’s Steamed Chicken Curry ($13.80): A homemade recipe originally served to staff, featuring tender steamed chicken in a rich, aromatic curry broth with chunky potatoes and fried beancurd skin, paired with rice, yellow noodles, or toasted baguette slices
The Verdict
The chicken rice at Jewel tastes consistent with Maxwell’s—same soft rice, same silky chicken, same sweet sauce. The difference comes down to pricing, which carries an airport premium. The additional family-friendly dishes add value for groups, but this location likely appeals most to international travellers seeking a taste of Tian Tian between flights or one last bite of Singapore’s most iconic local dish before departing.
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is located at 78 Airport Boulevard, B2-243-244, Jewel Changi Airport. Open daily from 10am to 10pm.
For more on Singapore’s dining scene, read about The Summerhouse reopening after a major refresh, Loulouca—a new dessert atelier by Odette’s former pastry chef—and a buzzy wine bar near Outram Park offering a 10-course omakase every Thursday.