Sunday, August 31, 2025

Chatterbox Cafe @ Resorts World Sentosa - Chatterbox Opens Cafe Concept at Weave RWS with Signature Chicken Rice and Local Favourites

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Chatterbox at Hilton Orchard Singapore is well known for its "most expensive chicken rice in Singapore". Now, it has expanded with a new concept, Chatterbox Cafe, at the new Weave Mall in Resorts World Sentosa, offering its signature Mandarin Chicken Rice along with a range of local delicacies, at a slightly more affordable price point, around $2 to $3 cheaper than its flagship location.

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Grilled Satay 4/5

We kick-started the meal with the Grilled Satay ($15), available in both beef and chicken options. Grilled over binchotan, the skewers come with onions, cucumber, ketupat and a sweet-savoury peanut sauce. While the meat was well-marinated and tender, I would have preferred a deeper char for added smokiness. The highlight is undeniably the peanut sauce, which is nutty with a subtle tang from the addition of pineapple puree.

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Sweet and Sour Kurobuta Pork 4.2/5

The Sweet and Sour Kurobuta Pork ($22) is a classic redefined. Premium pork is lightly battered, deep-fried, then wok-tossed in a bright, balanced sauce. I appreciated how the glaze didn’t lean overly sweet or sour, allowing the flavour of the pork to shine through without being masked by heavy batter.

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Mandarin Chicken Rice 4.5/5

The star, of course, is the Mandarin Chicken Rice. While still premium-priced ($40 for half chicken, or $23 for an individual set), it remains one of the best-tasting plates of chicken rice you can find in Singapore. The rice is aromatic with chicken oil and pandan fragrance, while the poached chicken is juicy and succulent. The accompanying chilli sauce is fiery, zesty and ticks all the right boxes. It's a dish that justifies its reputation, even if the price may still divide opinions.

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Chilli Crab

Another iconic local favourite is the Chilli Crab ($168 per portion), served with eight golden fried mantous for mopping up the luscious sauce. The portion is generous, best shared between two to three diners.

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Stir Fried Prawn with Palm Sauce

The Stir Fried Prawn with Palm Sauce ($26) features large prawns glazed with caramelised palm sugar, delivering a bold, sweet-savoury depth with wok hei aroma.

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Beef Hor Fun

The Beef Hor Fun is a comforting rendition, where velvety smooth rice noodles are infused with wok hei and paired with tender beef slices. Everything is brought together in a luscious black bean gravy that carries both smokiness and umami.

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Sweet Platter 4/5

We ended on a sweet note with the Sweet Platter ($13), an assortment of Nyonya kuehs made fresh daily with recipes passed down through generations. These colourful treats not only satisfy the sweet tooth but also celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Singapore.

Overall, Chatterbox Cafe brings its signature Mandarin Chicken Rice and a curated selection of local favourites to Resorts World Sentosa at a more approachable price point. While still positioned as a premium offering compared to hawker fare, the quality of ingredients and execution make it a worthwhile option for those seeking elevated Singapore classics in a comfortable setting.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Chatterbox Cafe
Weave Mall
Resorts World Sentosa
26 Sentosa Gateway
#02-207
Singapore 098138
Tel: +65 9654 4611
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 330pm, 530pm - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Vivocity Level 3 to Vivocity Monorail Station., Take Monrail to Sentosa. Alight at Resorts World Station. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Magpie @ Eng Hoon Street (Tiong Bahru) - Borderless Soul Food with Punchy Flavours and Playful Creativity

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Magpie at Eng Hoon Street offers borderless soul food by New Zealand-born chef-owner Eliot Thomas. It’s a place that embraces being unconventionally familiar and unapologetically bold. The philosophy here is simple – come as you are and celebrate life’s moments over aggressively delicious shared plates, a kickass curation of booze, and the irresistible allure of music.

The menu is refreshed regularly, but when I visited, it was categorised into four sections – Snacks, Small Plates, Big Plates and Dessert. Each dish felt like a flavour bomb, and one common thread tied them together: a zesty, tangy punch that lingered in almost every bite.

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Fresh Tandoor Bread 3.5.5

We started with the Fresh Tandoor Bread ($12) glazed with Magpie’s butter. The bread was delightfully chewy, but what truly elevated it was Nikki’s Special Chilli. Think of it as Magpie’s version of Lao Gan Ma – robust, spicy, and addictively savoury, the kind of condiment that makes everything taste better.

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Prawn Tostada 4/5

The Prawn Tostada ($30) was next, with a thick prawn paste patty sandwiched between two crispy tortilla bases. The tostada was generously drenched in a rich, tangy tomato-based sauce, creating a textural contrast of crunch, tenderness, and saucy brightness.

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Kokoda Ceviche 4/5

A standout was the Kokoda Ceviche ($29), a traditional Fijian dish. Unlike Peruvian ceviche that typically uses tiger milk, this version brought together passionfruit, coconut, and avocado. The result was tropical, punchy, and refreshing, pairing beautifully with the delicate slices of fish.

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Cumin Lamb Ribs 4.2/5

My favourite of the night was the Cumin Lamb Ribs ($36 for 4pc). The meat fell off the bone effortlessly, tender and juicy, enhanced by a bold aji amarillo sauce and fresh coriander. This was comfort food reimagined with a fiery kick and layered complexity.

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Lebanese 7 Spice Chicken 3.8/5

For the main, the Lebanese 7 Spice Chicken ($52) delivered a hearty plate brimming with aromatics. The blend of spices gave depth and warmth, balanced by pistachio yoghurt, pomegranate, and mint for freshness and tang. It was a dish that showcased both richness and restraint in the right proportions.

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Magpie is not about subtlety – it’s about vibrancy, boldness, and soul. Every dish we tried had that unmistakable zesty finish, making it a dining experience that stays memorable. If you enjoy food that excites the palate with punchy flavours and playful creativity, Magpie should definitely be on your radar.


Magpie
Blk 57 Eng Hoon Street
#01-88
Singapore 160057
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Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Thu: 530pm - 930pm
Fri-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 930pm
(Closed on Mon & Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk straight down Zion Road. Walk to traffic junction of Zion Road and Tiong Bahru Road. Cross the road and walk to Seng Poh Road. Walk down Seng Poh Road. Turn left onto Eng Hoon Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]