Heritage Reimagined
With a history that spans 53 years, Chatterbox’s legacy extends beyond its world famous Mandarin chicken rice
Mention Chatterbox, and memories of its iconic Mandarin chicken rice often comes to mind. Home to a legendary iteration of Singapore’s most identifiable dish, Chatterbox has maintained its enduring legacy for over five decades, and remains the go-to place for elevated Singapore classics.
Chatterbox generously welcomes families, friends and corporate guests with soothing shades of brown and splashes of green, an ode to the lush greenery Singapore is known for. Local flora and fauna adorn the space, with plants hanging from lamps and walls dressed in lively botanical drawings by local illustrator Tan Zi Xi.
The inviting scents of laksa and rendang fill the air as you sink into the restaurant’s plush banquette or booth seats. It is here that executive chef Liew Tian Heong, custodian of time-honoured recipes, elevates local classics and Chatterbox’s famous signatures with prime, flavourful ingredients. The legendary Mandarin chicken rice, prepared in Liew’s unique ‘steam-cook’ method for a juicy and succulent meat, is a burst of flavours. It is best had with the fluffy Jasmine rice and the usual accompaniments of chilli sauce, dark soy sauce and invigorating ginger.
Under chef Liew, the humble otak-otak is transformed into a lavish delicacy with sweet and juicy snow crab claw meat and fresh mackerel fish paste seasoned in a fiery homemade spice mix. Extra oomph in the form of crispy, golden cucur udang (prawn fritters) is also added to the rojak—a mix of crunchy jambu, tart granny smith apples, refreshing pineapples and crisp turnip— tossed in a glistening housemade sauce.
But don’t settle for a good meal, make it a marriage of pleasures. Chatterbox’s friendly staff can guide you through the restaurant’s exquisite wine pairings. Pair the robust flavours of each hawker delight with Chatterbox’s meticulously chosen wines, from the light and juicy Laurenz V Friendly Gruner veltliner, featuring notes of green apple, pear, and peach, to the lush and smooth Layer Cake shiraz, which boasts complex aromas of blackberry, dark cherries and dark chocolate ganache.