CHATTERBOX
Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Level 5, 333 Orchard Road, S(238867) TEL: 6831 6288/91
Chatterbox’s delicious offerings stay true to the roots of local food delights. It’s most famous for the Hainanese chicken rice, prepared Singapore-style. While the price is slightly on the more expensive side, considering the many options you have in Singapore for this dish, it’s worth the splurge thanks to the generous strips of steamed chicken paired with fragrant rice and a bowl of chicken consommé. Don’t forget to elevate the meal with accompaniments of sweet dark soy sauce, crushed ginger and the traditional chilli. Dining with friends from overseas? This is the perfect spot to savour other Singaporean favourites including lobster laksa (brimming with fish cake, fish meat rolls and lobster in spicy broth) and abalone kolo mee; for the latter, the chef uses flat egg noodles, which he generously tops with a meat sauce and two whole braised abalones. Coconut ice cream served in a coconut shell and doused with chocolate sauce and walnuts—a twist on the classic 1970s dessert— makes for a refreshing ending.