Ah, my expedition within the East continues (begrudgingly). The day was turning out to be all gloom with nightfall approaching after an prolonged bathe. What may probably soothe my downcast spirit?
Bedok 85 Fengshan Meals Centre turned out to have greater than only a few choices. However first, I needed to endure the 20-minute stroll from Bedok station. Like many stalls there, Chai Chee Pork Porridge stays open late into the night time.
After a brief chat with one of many stall palms, I realized that there are a complete of three Chai Chee Pork Porridge stalls.
2 function in tandem at Bedok 85, the place one opens from morning (7am – 3pm, Closed on Wed), whereas the opposite opens at 4pm. Since I’d turned up for the latter, the primary stall was closed. The third outlet is at Tampines Spherical Market & Meals Centre.
What I attempted at Chai Chee Pork Porridge
The whole lot of my childhood was spent avoiding porridge because it was the one dish I might be fed when ailing. So by pure affiliation, little me was adamant that porridge was the worst issues to have ever graced the planet. That notion has since modified, so I used to be trying ahead to a comforting bowl of Pork Porridge (S$4.50) with egg (S$0.50).
There are 2 colleges of thought in terms of having fun with you tiao. I often end them earlier than stirring the porridge, however that rapid gratification considerably weakens the remainder of the dish.
They have been delightfully fluffy on the within and the oily aftertaste contrasted (and was subsequently cleansed by) the sunshine congee. Actually, letting the you tiao soak up the deceptively non-viscous soup upgraded the savoury flavours of each. I loved the style even with out the you tiao‘s crispiness.
Simply stealing the highlight have been the meatballs, the softest element right here subsequent to the rice grains. I’d learn evaluations criticising them and stating that the saltiness was off-putting. My buddy, Justin, agreed with my evaluation that they have been undeniably one of the best a part of the dish.
Not solely have been they comfortable, however hopping from the subdued, gooey congee to the you tiao after which the meatballs was like a flavour escalator.
After a couple of spoonfuls of the unmixed answer, I lastly relented and gave the bowl a sequence of stirs to interrupt the yolk. The golden colouration was rapid, nearly like a fast chemical response. In consistency, the yolk had imparted its qualities nicely. I seen a delicate change in texture; the congee soup hadn’t been as thick earlier than. Or that was the work of these spindly egg white strips.
The second bowl was Combined Porridge (S$6), additionally with the addition of an egg (that I had burst accidentally). That is in the end the superior selection as each century egg and cuttlefish are added to it. Outdoors of lending their crunch, they have been tart and had a faint odour.
The century eggs had been sliced into what regarded like equal quarters. I discovered them to be remarkably springy with an nearly creamy centre. Maybe my senses had been dulled within the second, however I detected not one of the common pungency.
Last ideas
I can guarantee you that the soya sauce and pepper have been redundant however when you’re a frequent patron at Chai Chee Pork Porridge, they’re justifiable for including depth to the congee.
My opinion of porridge has come a good distance, thanks in no small half to Cantonese congee. I actually didn’t really feel the salubrious results of porridge that my dad and mom had vouched for over a long time however discovered it was extra aligned with an indulgent meal. On that notably miserable day although, Chai Chee Pork Porridge did assuage my melancholy.
