Even in this warm morning, Maxwell food market is cool enough to have a warm bowl of porridge. Such a huge bowl for one. Worth $4 for sure. Wish I could finish every grain as the elderly lady owner sits with me and chats about the good old pre-covid days of long queues but not now, she bemoans. I wished her well and encouraged her with Burpple reviews seen here, that’s she’s not forgotten but loved by many porridge lovers like myself.
The famous Zhen Zhen porridge at Maxwell food centre! Had to come in the early morning coz lunch time queue is crazy & it runs out fast. Congee was bursting w flavour from the condiments and fresh ingredients. A Must Try!
This bowl is $4, takeaway +.30cts
I’m one who subscribes to the idea that porridge is largely for sick people, EXCEPT when it comes to flavourful porridge, such as this one from Zhen Zhen! Loved the option for a beaten egg in the porridge; $3 per bowl with so much ingredients is such a steal!
First thing I found interesting was that it's Hokkiens cooking Cantonese congee. More importantly, this renowned stall lived up to its renown. Intense and complex. Quite impossible to find this quality at this price point. My only gripe is there's too much ginger!
That day's version was a tad too salty, but still good! One of my fave places for a bowl of comforting porridge
1. Zhen Zhen Porridge
2. Ho Kee Pau
2. Don’t rmb which store we bought the chicken from.
Comforting food for a rainy day, but I had this on a hot & sunny afternoon. My friends and I had unanimous cravings for porridge hahaha.
Famous porridge stall in Maxwell! My first try; taste was mediocre, idk what the hype was about.. but the fish was definitely fresh cos there was no smell (with or without the ginger) and the fish slices just melts in your mouth!
The seller speaks Cantonese, and indeed the porridge was very 稀 like the traditional Cantonese porridge.
P.S. I would suggest not to put the soy sauce esp if you are not a salty-food person cos it doesn't really taste good.
Cantonese usually like their porridge (or congee) thoroughly cooked until the rice loses its form. When the craving for porridge comes about, I will travel down to Maxwell Food Centre for a bowl of hot porridge and a glass of warm soya bean milk. While the taste of the food suits me, I sometimes find that I will need to drink more water after eating this. They do not sell dough fritters (you tiao), so you will have to buy it from other stalls to pair with the porridge. Be there early to avoid long queues and disappointment. Most likely you will not be able to get this after lunchtime.
The ultimate comfort food is a creamy, grain-less, flavourful congee that comes in an extra big bowl. Cooked since the wee hours in the morning, the grains in the congee are beaten so fine, it's texture resembles a thick creamy soup. The amount of chicken inside is generous, more than enough for the bowl. $3 a portion. #BurppleCheapNGood
Wondering where to go for lunch? If you are around the Chinatown area, why not head over to Maxwell Food Centre for Zhen Zhen Porridge? The rice porridge has been simmered for many hours, resulting in the rice grains breaking down, forming a liquid smooth consistency that's almost rare to see in modern day Singapore. Before the government ban of serving raw sliced fish, it's almost a ritual to order a bowl of this bubbling hot congee and a plate of yusheng to go along with it. Since then, the queue has somewhat mellowed down but I am still able to get that instant gratification from the Chicken Porridge ($3/$4/$5) which was so satisfying even in this extreme weather.
Life's simple pleasures.
Zhen Zhen Porridge
Address: 1, Kadayanallur Street, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
#BurppleSGLateNight #BurppleTastemakerSGGuides
Only Zhen Zhen Porridge deserves to be called silky smooth. Grains are beaten so fine, it becomes a rich and thick base, which is most often described as 'creamy'. A large bowl only costs $5 and comes with a generous spoonful of meat, shallots and spring onions. The egg comes at an additional $0.30.
Good Morning! I've forgotten how yummy this congee (Fish/Chicken/Century Egg & Egg 😍) was. To have it again reminded me of how awesome old school simple hawker fair without aircon and other mainstream creature comforts. Good food always brings about a feeling of euphoria. Kudos to old school hawker foods and may we be able to preserve them in the modern day! 5/5
We decided to have porridge as both of our tummies aren't feeling very well.
Searched and we arrived at this much raved Zhen Zhen Porridge @ Maxwell. No queues yay!
We had their chicken porridge which came in $3/$4/$5. Additional egg @ $0.50.
I love how this porridge is cooked till all the grains are dissolved, resulting in a silky and smooth porridge. I also like how the chicken are cut into big pieces rather than shredded chicken. Definitely worth my sweat in the scorching warm hawker centre! 👍👍
One of my favourite porridge in Sigapore, Zhen Zhen is famous for its extremely smooth base. Grains are beaten to the point that they are non-existent, producing a creamy, almost soup-like porridge. The raw fish salad is definitely the best seller here, super fresh and super tasty. Love the combination of textures and flavours brought together by the sesame, corriander, cabbage slices, lime and of course, raw fish. This portion is enough for 2 pax.
Great value for money porridge - lots of fish belly at $4. Plus good old porridge that lasted till the end not watery at all.
=_=||| Their porridge was more like Teochew style. There were salted veg and lots of spring onion. They only charged 30cents for adding egg.
Every review mention that their porridge is very starchy and every grain of rice was dissolved. Honestly speaking, I had ate even smoother porridge in Singapore.
Still a good choice if the waiting time is shorter. All these you see only cost me S$9
Zhen Zhen Porridge
#01-54, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street
Hours
Wed - Mon: 05:00 - 14:00
Closed: Tue
But in Singapore, they like to put lime juice, chili and fried shallots. It will be very weird if I put it into the porridge.
It was my first time seeing roasted sesame in the raw fish. It gave the dish an layer of nutty flavor and crispy texture.
Zhen Zhen Porridge
#01-54, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street
Hours
Wed - Mon: 05:00 - 14:00
Closed: Tue
Their fish belly was very fatty but they overcooked it. If only there was bigger piece of fish belly, but nowadays it is very hard to find.
Some might scare of the fishy taste from the fish oil but personally I feel that it is the source of the flavor.
Zhen Zhen Porridge
#01-54, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street
Hours
Wed - Mon: 05:00 - 14:00
Closed: Tue
Some people were afraid to eat fish with bone because they had been choked by fish bone. But the meat around the bone will always be the sweetest.
Start with big fish, their bones were always the biggest and very hard to miss. Before you swallow the fresh, try to use your tongue to feel for the bone. Practice makes prefect.
Zhen Zhen Porridge
#01-54, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street
Hours
Wed - Mon: 05:00 - 14:00
Closed: Tue
