Empress Porridge Review: Hidden Peanut Porridge Gem Near Kent Ridge MRT Station

As a foodie, there has been countless of times I’ve mumbled, “Why do things that are bad for you taste so good?” under my breath. It is often easier to reach for that glistening dark plate of char kway teow than a plain ol’ bowl of sliced fish soup. That said, the people behind Empress Porridge have changed my perception of nutritious, “home-cooked” food.

Hiding in an unassuming section of the NUH Medical Centre, this family-owned eatery has piqued my interest in simple and wholesome food. Hidden Porridge Gem At Kent Ridge | Empress Porridge Food at Empress Porridge Empress Porridge ($4) is the only fixed item on the menu.

My colleague and I were already anticipating this dish from the very beginning. The cook, Ah Bao, comes in fervently at 4am every morning to make sure it cooks right down to a rich, savoury porridge before the stall opens at 7:30am.

The porridge is thick and has a chunky consistency from the generous amount of ingredients in it. The sweetness of the dried scallops seems to carry its aroma and delicate savour, and when mixed with the tender slivers of pork, becomes a great marriage.

It was a feast for the eyes from the colours of all the condiments. It is practically a must to ask for more of their house-made sambal chilli and mix it in before savouring the dish.

The chilli isn’t overly spicy, to the point where it overpowers the other elements of the dish. When I was a kid, tau suan was my number one go-to dessert at the hawker centre for a very long time. However, as I grew up and became more financially able, I strayed from it as there were countless of more dazzling and more IG-worthy desserts out there.

Ambience at Empress Porridge Scrape the perception you have in your head about travelling down to a hospital just for food. It is located on the right side of the station’s exit A, and the best thing is that you don’t even have to brave the sweltering heat to get to it.

The seating area is separated from the stall itself and there is a limited number of seats. Sensorial descriptions aside, the proof of the pudding is always in the eating.

I would be heading back down myself, to try the elusive Png Kueh in Fish Maw Soup which is prepared from scratch by Mrs Goh only when she has the luxury of time. If you are studying in NUS or working in the medical centre, head on down for 50 cents off the porridge! Address: 1 Lower Kent Ridge Road, #01-04, NUH Medical Centre, Singapore 119082 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 7:30pm, Sat 11am to 10pm Website Empress Porridge is not a halal eatery.