Ng Soon Kee Fish & Duck Porridge: Fish Soup at Geylang East Market & Food Centre

We arrived in a queue at this nondescript stall, and this was already way past lunchtime during a workweek. A line at a food stall past lunchtime is always a good sign.

As I was waiting for my turn, I suddenly and weirdly, felt this hint of nostalgia and family. I can’t put my finger to it. Maybe it’s the bold interaction and teasing between them and some of their regulars who came to collect their orders. Or the mix of people around the stalls who were enjoying their bowls of fish soup.

It was soon our turn to collect our order of two medium-sized fish soup and a bowl of rice. First look at the delightfully coloured soup felt fresh and “light”, very 清淡. Then I had my first sip of the nourishing looking soup.

PLEASE GO AND GRAB A BOWL FOR YOURSELF!!! I don’t think my words can do them any justice! The reasons for the post-lunch queue and feeling of nostalgia… It all makes sense now! The rich taste saturated in the full body of the soup can only be explained by the fusion of fresh ingredients and experience!

I would recommend that you have the soup by itself first. Then mix it with the rice. It feels a lot like the soupy rice I had as a child, but with so much more flavours! The simple bowl of rice is actually drizzled with a sauce that works really well when you mix a spoonful of it with the fish soup.

The slices of fresh fish are cooked just right with its sweetness enhanced by the tomatoes used in the cooking process. It is then balanced with other salty ingredients that give it both a lush and yet light feel. Topped with generous servings of garnishes, makes it a perfectly balanced bowl of taste!

As we finished this delectable and refreshing meal, I realised the line had grown even longer. The tables around are now filled with even more people. Again, this is post-lunch! As I watched, I really marvelled at how a simple bowl of soup can be so satisfying and enchanting.

Go have it alone if you must, but I recommend bringing your friends and family to share this experience together to make it even more real.

? 117 Aljunied Ave 2, #01-11, Singapore 380117 (Geylang East Market & Food Centre)