There are places that you don’t really expect to find, but once you see them, they make you curious right away. That was exactly how I felt when I visited Al-Ameen for the first time.
Al-Ameen is an Indian Muslim restaurant located somewhere in Marsiling Industrial Estate. It is not really close to any MRT station, so I was thinking that the people who dine here must really love the food. I mean, this is not the kind of place that you just randomly pass by unless you work nearby, live nearby, or in my case, you are cycling around and suddenly discover it like a hidden gem LOL.
That night, I was cycling and looking for a place to eat. Since Al-Ameen was probably the only food establishment around the area, it really caught my attention. The bright yellow signage, the green menu boards, and the crowd inside made me curious. I started asking myself, what makes people come here? Is it the food? Is it the price? Or maybe the ambience?
So of course, I had to try it.
At first, I thought the place might be warm because it looked quite open and casual. But surprisingly, it was actually quite cooling inside. There were many ceiling fans around, and even though the place had plenty of diners, it still felt comfortable enough to sit and enjoy a meal.
Ordering made me a bit confused in the beginning hahaha. I was not sure whether I should go to the counter, or directly to the specific stall that I wanted to order from. But later I realized that all I had to do was find a table and wait. One of the staff would come to take my order. Simple enough, but maybe because it was my first time, I was overthinking it LOL.
The menu was huge. There were so many dishes available that I felt a bit overwhelmed. Sometimes when I see too many choices, my mind just goes blank. So in the end, I went for something familiar to me, which was Chicken Biryani. For my drink, I ordered Teh Iced, or as written on their menu, “Teh Ais” 😂
When the food arrived, I was already excited. The Chicken Biryani was served with fragrant basmati rice, pieces of chicken, curry gravy, and a small side of salad with yogurt. The rice looked so flavorful with its warm golden color, and the curry had that rich spice aroma that instantly made me hungry.
The best part was that the meal was really affordable. I honestly thought it would be more expensive, but when I got my bill, it was only SGD 9.80. Awesome right? The Chicken Biryani itself was SGD 7.00, and for the quality and portion, I really think it is underpriced.
Maybe the location helps because it is in an industrial estate, so the operating cost might be lower compared to places near MRT stations or busy commercial areas. If that is the case, then it is a smart choice because they can keep the prices fair while still serving good food.
The biryani itself was really good. What made me finish every bit of the basmati rice was the right amount of heat from the curry. It was spicy, but still something that I could tolerate. Actually, the spice made me crave more of the food. The more I ate, the more I wanted another spoonful.
The chicken was also satisfying. There was a good amount of meat, and the ratio between rice and chicken was just right for me. I also liked the yogurt salad because it helped bring down the heat whenever the spice became a little intense.
And of course, the Teh Ais made the meal even better. Cold, milky, and refreshing. It was a very nice drink to pair with the warm and spicy biryani.
Overall, my first dining experience at Al-Ameen was really enjoyable. It felt like discovering a reliable food spot in a place where I did not expect much. Good food, fair price, and a comfortable enough ambience. I finished every bit of my meal, and I enjoyed it so much.
I will definitely return, even just to try this biryani again.
