Singapore, Chinatown - Claypot Porridge

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In my continuing exploration of local places that I had not visited in years, I recently made a trip to good old Chinatown. It is located near the Central Business District, in the southern region of Singapore.

Walking through the old streets reminded me that many things remain the same as they were and yet not the same. The heritage buildings are still around, standing tall and proud, reminding us of an era long passed but whose days made us who we are today. But gone are many familiar shops, long closed and shuttered with "For Rent" signs plastered all over their shutters. I have no doubt the 2-plus years of COVID-induced business slowdowns had a lot to do with the disappearances of these once-familiar small businesses. On a positive note, local Authorities had just announced further loosening of travel restrictions as part of the move to living with endemic-COVID. Let's hope the return of international arrivals will help those small businesses still holding out.

Thankfully, my favourite porridge stall in a corner coffeeshop still stands, serving up their usual delicious porridge in hot sizzling claypots to eager and hungry customers. Yes, the prices may have increased a bit. But that is to be expected with the recent world-wide inflation driving up the costs of almost everything under the sun. I am happy to pay that little bit more and look forward to many more claypots of delicious porridge as we all edge happily but cautiously back into normal life. 

Normal has not sounded so good in a long time!😊

Sizzling hot and delicious porridge served in a claypot, Chinatown, Singapore (2022)


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