Experience the Flavor of Salmon in a Bowl of Fish Porridge at Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup

Discovering Mei Fa Fish Porridge

Not long ago, during a casual chat at the office, my old intern buddy, Zhen Wei, shared some great news about a fantastic eatery in Singapore. "I really love the fish soup place near the church; they serve salmon," he said. I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wait, salmon in fish soup? I have to try that!"

So, we met up after his internship ended to sample this unique dish at Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup, located at 29 Eunos Avenue 6. The eatery is nestled in an industrial kopitiam, just a 10-minute walk from Paya Lebar MRT station. We arrived around 10 AM, and the place was relatively quiet, mostly filled with retirees chatting over their kopi c siew dai.

A Lovely Pair of Owners

Initially, I felt a bit intimidated ordering from the 69-year-old couple, Mr. and Mrs. Phua, due to their serious demeanor. However, after chatting with them post-meal, I discovered they were incredibly kind and friendly. I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw Mr. Phua trying to hold Mrs. Phua's hand for a photo. "Aiyoh! No, I don't want to! Holding hands is too embarrassing!" Mrs. Phua blushed and giggled, truly a delightful couple.

We were quite surprised to learn that they have been running this eatery for 40 years. "This kopitiam's lease will end in two years, and then we will retire," they shared. Zhen Wei looked visibly disheartened at that news. When I asked Mrs. Phua why they decided to include salmon on the menu, she simply replied, "Why not? Haha, I just wanted to try it!"

The Menu at Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup

Of course, the first dish we had to try was the salmon soup (S$5). This dish features slices of salmon and lettuce in a light brown, clear broth. The salmon was tender and naturally sweet, while the broth was refreshing and infused with a variety of flavors. Mrs. Phua mentioned that the secret to making the broth sweeter is adding white radish.

To enhance the flavor, I added garlic, dark soy sauce, and a few slices of chili to the salmon. Although I usually do this with pork ribs in bak kut teh, applying it to salmon was a delightful surprise!

Next up was the fried fish soup (S$4.50), which came with a bowl of rice (S$0.50) topped with fried egg strands and lettuce. The fried fish pieces were perfectly cooked, soaking up the broth to create a delightful combination of crispiness and tenderness. The fried egg strands added an extra appealing touch. While the soup shared a base with the salmon soup, I noticed the sweetness here was subtler, not as pronounced as the previous bowl we enjoyed.

Fish Porridge and What You Should Know

Finally, we tried the fish porridge (S$4). Unlike the creamy porridge style of the Cantonese, the Teochew version retains the rice grains, served with slices of boiled fish and lettuce. This dish is clean and simple, but it was the mildest of the three — perfect if you're looking for something light or don’t want anything too heavy.

The Perfect Spot for Fish Lovers

Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup is truly an excellent choice for anyone seeking a light yet nutritious lunch. If you're curious about the flavor of salmon in fish soup, this is the place to experiment. And if you prefer fried fish over steamed, the fried fish soup is an absolute must-try.

Getting to Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup

Paya Lebar MRT station (CC9/EW8) is the closest stop to Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup. From there, simply exit through Gate C and walk about 8 to 10 minutes to reach the eatery. So, would we recommend you visit Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup? Absolutely! This spot is perfect for those who enjoy refreshing fish soup with a delicious broth. If you're tired of the usual batang fish, come here to try something new. And since the owner couple plans to retire in about two years, be sure to support them while you can!