Chatterbox: Singapore’s Legendary $26 Mandarin Chicken Rice
No discussion of Singapore’s iconic chicken rice is complete without mentioning Chatterbox. A staple in guidebooks for decades, this legendary spot is renowned for serving the city’s most expensive chicken rice.
Following its 2022 reopening after a major revamp, here’s a closer look at the restaurant and its signature chicken rice.
Chatterbox at Hilton Singapore Orchard
Planning Your Visit
A few key details worth checking before heading over.
Opening Hours
11:30am–4:30pm and 5:30pm–10:30pm, extending to 11pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. There is a one-hour break between lunch and dinner service.
Dress Code
There is no strict dress code—casual attire, including shorts and sandals, is perfectly acceptable.
Reservations
Chatterbox is popular with both tourists and locals, so booking ahead is highly recommended. Reservations can easily be made online here.
Location & Access
Located on the 5th floor of Hilton Singapore Orchard, Chatterbox is just a 5-minute walk from Somerset MRT Station.
Those familiar with Chatterbox from its days at the Mandarin Orchard Hotel might wonder whether the restaurant has moved to the Hilton. It has not.
The hotel has simply been rebranded from Mandarin Orchard to Hilton, while Chatterbox remains in the same location.
Look out for the Chatterbox sign set against a jade-green tiled wall.
The New Look & Ambience
Already known for its polished look, Chatterbox now feels even more refined following its recent makeover.
Beige and grey tones create a calm, neutral base, complemented by dark wood tables and partitions.
The jade-green seen at the entrance is carried through to the interior, with the chairs providing a stylish accent to the space.
Surrounded by lush greenery, the dining area feels like a garden oasis — hard to believe it is right in the heart of Orchard Road.
The space is clean, elegant and perfectly suited to a hotel restaurant. Its sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere makes Chatterbox an easy choice for any occasion.
Dining at Chatterbox
Menu & Appetisers
Once seated, the menu reveals a tempting line-up of Singapore’s signature dishes. Alongside the famous chicken rice, hawker favourites such as Hokkien mee, laksa and bak kut teh are also on offer.
The meal starts with two appetisers before moving on to the main dishes.
The first is kueh pie tee, served in crisp pastry cups filled with vegetables and topped with snow crab, tobiko and egg — a particularly indulgent version of this local classic.
Next is satay, Singapore-style grilled skewers. With a choice of chicken or beef, a half-and-half order provides the best of both worlds.
Another must-order vegetable dish is stir-fried kai lan (Chinese broccoli) with oyster sauce — a reliable classic that never disappoints.
Mandarin Chicken Rice
Not long after ordering, Chatterbox’s signature Mandarin Chicken Rice arrived. Priced at $26, it costs about five times the going rate for a typical plate of chicken rice, which usually comes in at around $5–6.
It is quite possibly the most expensive chicken rice in Singapore.
Neatly plated on a tray, the single portion comes with a bowl of clear soup and three classic condiments: dark soy sauce, ginger and chilli.
The tender, succulent chicken is arranged in two generous layers and finished with a light soy-based sauce.
The rice, infused with chicken stock, pairs beautifully with the meat, making for a truly satisfying dish.
More Local Favourites
Beyond chicken rice, the Seafood Hokkien Mee is another dish worth seeking out.
This noodle dish, made with two types of noodles and infused with the rich flavours of seafood, is a beloved Singapore classic.
Another standout is the Beef Hor Fun, featuring wide, flat rice noodles. Tossed with stir-fried beef, it comes generously coated in a piping-hot, savoury gravy.
Final Thoughts
Set within a refined hotel, Chatterbox offers an inviting atmosphere that feels welcoming without being overly formal.
Beyond its flagship outlet in Orchard, Chatterbox also has outlets on Sentosa Island, right next to Universal Studios Singapore, and in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 1, making it even more convenient to visit.
Priced at $26, its chicken rice is among the most expensive in Singapore — whether it lives up to the price is for you to decide.
Chatterbox
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