Anthony Bourdain called Singapore “possibly the most food-centric place on Earth”. In a market crowded with impressive flavours and dishes, Chatterbox not only rose to the top, it became an institution. Chatterbox opened in 1971 at the former Mandarin Singapore hotel and quickly established itself as a pioneering local spot that brought the flavours of hawker stalls into a hotel setting.

The restaurant’s signature dish, introduced by then-executive chef Peter Gehrmann, is Mandarin chicken rice. The recipe is a fiercely guarded secret. Currently standing watch over the recipe is Liew Tian Heong, Chatterbox’s executive chef, who has been with the company for close to four decades.

The dish that put Chatterbox on the map is a simple tray of chicken and rice with all the trimmings. The team uses young, two-kilo chickens which are deboned and steam-cooked to retain flavour. It’s served with a trio of house sauces: dark soy, ginger and chilli. The star of the show is the fluffy fragrant rice seasoned with chicken fat, shallots and pandan leaves.

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From March 12 to March 24, Heong is bringing the signature Chatterbox experience to Perth for a pop-up at Silks at Crown Perth. Ahead of the pop-up, Broadsheet spoke to Heong about bringing the experience Down Under.

For the uninitiated, can you tell us what makes Chatterbox’s chicken rice so famous?
We were first in Singapore to bring hawker cuisine to a five-star hotel. We’ve perfected the recipe of fragrant rice and the tender steam-cooked chicken over 50 years, but more than anything, [our success] is about consistency: delivering good food and good service through the years. We have gained recognition from both locals and tourists alike for our menu of Singapore’s favourites.

What’s on the menu for your pop-up at Silks?
We’re bringing our signature Chatterbox flavours like the Mandarin chicken rice, laksa and bak kut teh (pork rib broth with white pepper). These dishes have stood the test of time and remain our top sellers to this day.

What do you want people to consider or understand as they eat the dishes?
To understand that Singapore is a melting pot of rich flavours and cultures and that one single dish cannot define its heritage.

Are there any venues you’re excited to check out while in Perth?
We’re excited to explore Perth’s food scene and see what makes it special. Since it’s our first time here, we’re looking forward to visiting local markets, checking out some of the city’s well-loved dining spots.

Other than Chatterbox, where should Aussies eat when they visit Singapore?
Singapore has an incredible food scene with a rich mix of flavours that reflect its diverse cultures. The variety of offerings on every level is amazing, from fine dining to casual restaurants for a wallet-friendlier time, or hawker centres for the unique Singaporean experience – it really is a foodie’s dream.

Chatterbox has outposts in Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Tokyo and Manila. Will we ever see an Australian Chatterbox?
We would love to. Hopefully, it is something Australia will enjoy as well. So we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we can call Australia home too someday.

@chatterboxsg