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Do you live around the vicinity of Tiong Bahru and Havelock? Well, if you’re a night owl and find your stomach rumbling at odd hours, then take a stroll towards Shang Taste Collective located along 3 Seng Poh Road.
I checked out 2-week-old Chaoxing Teochew Porridge which is operated by a team of Hong Kong chefs. Given the lower demand, the porridge establishment will currently operate from 10am to 4am daily.
Before I forget, there’s an opening promotion running until 7 Dec 2024, with every stall at Shang Taste Collective offering a 50% discount.
Be spoiled for choice as there are over 45 dishes for you to choose from. Vegetable dishes like chap chye and sauteed long beans cost S$1 for a single portion. Meats like pork belly are at S$2 per pax while items like fried mermaid fish and anchovies with peanuts cost S$3 per portion.
If you’re a die-hard fan of fish, a steamed pomfret will cost you about S$15 while a red snapper is going for S$17 to S$18. Otherwise, all other fried fish have price tags between S$6 and S$8.
The sauteed La La (S$4) was fresh and delicately flavoured with soy, garlic, chilli padi and coriander. Most importantly, it didn’t have the annoying sand particles within.
With a spritz of calamansi, the citrusy flavours uplifted the freshness of the Steamed Squid (S$5). The sotong wasn’t rubbery and went very well with the congee.
What blew me away were the Large Intestines. Free from any traces of unpleasant gaminess, its surface was lightly crisped, enhancing its fragrance. I also enjoyed the light garnish of leeks, carrots and chilli which contributed to its freshness, making it less overwhelming.
The Steamed Egg w/ Otah was also one of my favourite dishes. A silky-smooth egg with a delicious chunk of Muar otah… mmm was all I could say.
Bak chor with black bean is one of my must-haves whenever I visit a Teochew Porridge establishment. While it still doesn’t surpass my all-time favourite, the now-defunct Ah Seah Teochew Porridge at Upper Serangoon, it was better than average.
The Fishcakes were also delightfully soft, with a perfect consistency that had me hooked.
Shang Taste Collective is just a stone’s throw away from Havelock MRT Station and within walking distance from Tiong Bahru Market. If you’re craving for Teochew porridge, Chaoxing Teochew Porridge is definitely on my recommended list.
Botak Cantonese Porridge: Large bowls of Cantonese-style porridge from $3.50
