Singapore, March 7, 2010
THE TASTE TEST
Sunday Times food critic Wong Ah Yoke did a taste test of the original Chatterbox chicken rice and other versions of the popular dish sold by chefs with links to Chatterbox. Here is his verdict.
Chatterbox
Where: 333 Orchard Road, Mandarin Orchard, Level 5. Tel: 6831-6288, Open: 6am to 1am, Sundays to Thursdays, 24 hours, Fridays and Saturdays
Verdict: The degree of oiliness of the rice is perfect. The rice is fragrant and smooth but it does not feel greasy. It also has a complex flavour and you can tell they used a lot of condiments to cook it.
The chicken is sliced generously and the amount is more than what you get at most stalls. The meat is firm, but it lacks a smoothness. The chilli sauce is fragrant and well-balanced in flavour.
It has the best rice of all the stores and although it is the most expensive, the ambience, service and serving size justify the price.
Price: $22
Mr Chicken Rice
Where: 1 Pasir Ris Close, 02-120, E!hub @ Downtown East
Tel: 6582-1302 Open: 11am to 9.30pm daily
Verdict: The presentation is similar to the original with uniformly sliced chicken served on top of shredded lettuce in a boat-shaped dish.
The rice has a nice oiliness to it but lacks a full flavour. The chilli is fragrant but very spicy, with a slow burn, and the flavour could be better balanced. The chicken meat is very tasty.
Although the portion is slightly smaller than at Chatterbox, it is good value for money and the closest to Chatterbox among the others tested.
Price: $4.20
Chef Han Chicken Rice
Where: 176 Orchard Road, The Centrepoint, B2-101 Open: 10am to 10pm daily
Verdict: The presentation is not similar to Chatterbox’s but it tries to keep to the spirit with the chicken placed on a bed of shredded lettuce and a cherry tomato on the side.
The rice is tasty but the flavour is derived mostly from the stock and less from condiments. The chicken is more tender but less flavourful than at Chatterbox. The chilli sauce tastes of freshly blended chillies and is not as spicy.
While I would not have associated it with Chatterbox immediately, the dish, on the whole, is not bad.
Price: $4.50
Sheng Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice
Where: Block 704 Bedok Reservoir Road, 01-3624, Open: 10am to 8.30pm daily, closed on alternate Tuesdays
Verdict: The presentation is different from Chatterbox’s as the chicken is placed on top of the rice on a plate. The chicken slices are less uniform and thinner. The rice is tasty but lacks the richness of that at Chatterbox. The chicken is tender and flavourful. The chilli sauce is not outstanding.
Price: $2.50
Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice
Where: Five outlets, including 2 Orchard Turn, Ion Orchard, B4-03 Food Opera, Open: 10am to 10pm daily
Verdict: The presentation is similar as the chicken is served on top of lettuce in a boat-shaped dish. The rice is a bit too oily for my liking and it is not as fragrant as that at Chatterbox.
The chicken is very tender and smooth, but it is not flavourful. The chilli sauce is the least potent of the lot and it is neither hot nor very fragrant.
Price: $5 at Ion Orchard
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| See pictures of different versions of Chatterbox chicken rice |
Read also:
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| Which is the best "Chatterbox" chicken rice? |
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| A tale of three Swee Kees |
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| Famous food feuds raising heat |
Recommended chicken rice eateries
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| Old Swee Kee taste at Yeo Keng Nam |
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| Top 5 chicken rice stalls recommended by critics |
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| Thinking of starting a chicken rice business? Here's a good recipe |
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