Tiong Shian Porridge Centre (长城粥) @ Chinatown, Singapore

I have absolutely no idea what the big hoo-ha is all about for this particular porridge place located at New Bridge Road, Chinatown. Hm... Or is it congee? Porridge? Whatever! I will use porridge!

To some of my starhubber colleagues, family members and recently, some of my NUS colleagues, it is just porridge!!

Maybe i am clueless about porridge; to me, plain porridge with pickled chye sim (lettuce) and sunny side up is fabulous, normal sold-in-hawker-centres minced pork porridge with a raw egg is delicious, home-made fish porridge with loads of fried onions is irresistible!! 

Menu for 长城粥! Click for an enlarged view of its prices!

Fine, 长城粥 has a big range of variety (besides fish and pork, there are prawn, cuttlefish and the yucky frog)! Fine, they may taste heavenly to YOU! Fine, they are popular! That's not fine! Popular does not mean the stuff is good!! And their service is really..... to the point; you order (no smile), you pay (no smile) and someone will deliver the porridge to you, full stop.  

Regardless of what i typed above, i have patronised this particular shop for at least 5 times although there are numerous hawker centres around the area with better food and chirpier staff!!!

Contradictory with valid reasons below.

Firstly:

My mom loves porridge, know how to differentiate them and adores this shop. The worse thing, we frequent Chinatown.

Secondly:

We believe porridge is less fattening than other Chinese meals. Especially in times like this, when i need to cut down on fats intake.

Thirdly:

I really like porridge, anyone of them!

Fourthly:

Peer pressure to visit this shop!! Hahaha. I have a choice though.

If you have never tried the porridge here, it's high time you do so. Crowds and unavailable seating will definitely deter me from entering the shop. Got it? Please also note that the second floor is available for dining! Take the lift or staircase next to the drink stall.

The second floor. Don't bother waiting for tables on the first floor!

By the way, anyone remembers a chicken rice stall in Chinatown where the chicken was served ice-cold? Anyone knows where it moves to? Tell me!!!