Sin Sin Porridge

Only for the adventurous - hard to find pigs entrails porridge. In the early days, the common folk in Singapore ate economical food - trishaw noodles, carbo laden food, discards from animals (entrails, liver, legs, head) to survive. These dishes were common place in the 50s and 60s but became hard to find now. One of our favourites in porridge is pigs entrails porridge or Chee Chap Chok as said in Cantonese. I can count 5-6 stalls that sell this style of porridge, and fewer that sell it with deep fried small pig intestines - the truffles of porridge.

Set in a large food center ABC - previous described in my addition on Jason's Peranakan food, this is one of the many stalls there that I frequent.

Food / Beverage: Highlight is the pigs entrails porridge with crispy deep fried pig intestines. Porridge is smooth but retains some rice grains. Pork is well seasoned and they use fresh pork (frozen pork has a porcine taste). The pig entrails are well cleaned and do not have the bitter taste you associate with intestines. They even serve you pieces of "yew tiao" as a garnishing. You can also order all pork flesh porridge, fish porridge or fish-head porridge. In addition, this stall also sells fish soup, fish head soup and deep fried fish head or pieces in a hot and sour sauce. Porridge goes for $3 per large bowl, fried fish head goes for $10 or $15. The fish dish is tasty and substantial for the $10 - particularly for people who like to chew on fish bone.

Ambience: Since its renovation, ABC food center is clean, cool and well maintained. Table clearing is done promptly and there is even a ATM at one end should you run out of money. Scores low simply because it is a food center.

Value: Price for the porridge has not changed in teh 15yr's I've eaten at Sin Sin. still $3 per bowl. Can feed the family of 5 for under $20 with drinks.

Service: Two sisters and a husband run the stall, pleasant, quick and friendly service. They "tar pau" for you without extra charge. We usually pack 4-5 bowls of porridge to keep in the fridge for supper.