Chatterbox @ Meritus Orchard


Chatterbox, a local brand with a fan base that transcends countries. Singers list it as their favourite next to Bengawan Solo's hole in the cake. I once baulked at the idea of paying $18 for chicken rice and in the most self-depreciating manner ever, I ended up forking $25 for it. A grand $6 price increase over the years. When you think The Canteen, under Les Amis group offers high class hawker food, meet Chatterbox. A grand dame in the atas hawker food scene.


Opening the doors to luxe hawker food.


Abiding by their theme of green...evident in the overall layout and decor.


Up a notch from hawker fare are their silver rimmed chopsticks, I would have expected gold-plated ones at least!

"Thigh or Breast?" That question began this gastronomical journey with the legendary Chicken Rice.



Some say the rice is to die for, others credit the generous portions of chicken "enough to feed two" whilst a smatter adore the power chilli, ginger and black sauce combination. I belong to the rice camp. Yes indeed the portion was generous, the bowl of rice was nearly spilling over, chicken was sliced so thin but piled so high on a bed of crunchy lettuce...but wait, I could get the same portion for at least a third the price in any hawker center!



The rice grains are evenly greased and defined, definitely something magical about the rice. The same unfortunately cannot be said of the chicken not matter how many ways I attempted eating it; original, with the sauces, with the skin-fats and all. Nothing more ordinary than ordinary.



Boston Lobster Laksa ($32)

Served with boston lobster and crab claws, the pocket probably does not hurt as badly with such premium ingredients tossed in. Number 328 Katong Laksa it is not, what Chatterbox dishes up is a lukewarm bowl of laksa spilling with ingredients.


Credit has to be given when due; fresh yet firm lobster slivers. Oh, did I mention the crab claws are cooked to such succulence save for the end of the claw that was a tad overcooked.


Thick gravy that lacks in oomph, same goes for what I initially thought was balachan turned out to be hae bee hiam (shrimp paste fried in chilli). Neither had the spice level THE laksa should have.

Pricey moderate hawker fare Chatterbox dishes up, lacks the pomp and fuss that the hype creates.

Fortunately or not, the service level was not as lacking as experienced by most. I found it attentive and prompt.

There is nothing on the menu that exceeds $32, be thankful. On the hindsight, there is also nothing in the local category that is priced below $25 either. Be prepared to fork out $9 for vegetables, $9 for packaged soyabean or barley and $12 for two scoops of coconut icecream served in a coconut shell. Once is all I need for a taste of luxurious hawker food, I'd gladly trade the silver rimmed chopsticks for disposable straw ones and the airconditioned environment for scorching hot surroundings....just for the authentic shiok and cheap hawker fare!

Chatterbox
Meritus Orchard

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