Savoring Delicious Fish Porridge at Mei Fa in Singapore

Exploring Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup

A few months ago, during a casual chat at the office, a former colleague revealed his secret dining spot in Singapore. "I love the fish soup place near my church, where they serve salmon," he said. I was taken aback: "Salmon? In fish soup? You have to take me there right away!"

The Journey to Mei Fa

Not long after, we had the chance to meet up again after he finished his internship, and together we headed to Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup located at 29 Eunos Avenue 6. The restaurant is nestled within an industrial kopitiam, just a short walk from Paya Lebar MRT station.

When we arrived at 10 AM, the place was quiet, mostly filled with retirees enjoying a chat over their kopi. Initially, I felt a bit intimidated by the couple who ran the place, Mr. and Mrs. Phua, as they seemed quite serious. However, after chatting with them, I realized they were genuinely friendly.

Stories from a 40-Year Couple

They have been running the restaurant for 40 years, which amazed me. "We plan to retire in two years when our contract ends," they mentioned. Zhen Wei looked disappointed upon hearing this. I asked Mrs. Phua why they chose to serve salmon, and she simply smiled and replied, "Why not? I just wanted to try it." To be honest, there aren’t many fish soup places in Singapore that use salmon.

Tasting the Dishes

We decided to try the Salmon Soup (S$5) first. The soup came with slices of salmon and lettuce in a clear, light brown broth. The salmon was tender and tasted just right, while the broth was naturally sweet, clean, and full of flavor. Mrs. Phua added that white radish is included to enhance the sweetness of the broth.

To add more appeal, I sprinkled some garlic, dark soy sauce, and sliced chili over the fish. I usually do this with pork ribs in bak kut teh, but it turned out to be an interesting discovery with the salmon!

Fried Fish Soup and Fish Porridge

Next, we moved on to the Fried Fish Soup (S$4.50), which came with a bowl of rice (S$0.50), topped with sesame egg and lettuce. The fried fish was perfectly cooked, soaking up the broth, resulting in a delightful balance of crispiness and tenderness, bursting with flavor. The fried egg added a rich and delicious touch to the dish.

Our final dish was the Fish Porridge (S$4). Unlike Cantonese-style porridge, this Zhejiang-style version retains the rice grains, served with slices of poached fish and lettuce. It was truly light and suitable for those looking for a gentle meal.

Who Should Visit

Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup is perfect for anyone seeking a healthy lunch. If you're eager to try salmon in fish soup, this is definitely the ideal spot. And if you prefer fried fish soup, you won't be disappointed with the Fried Fish Soup!

How to Get to Mei Fa

The nearest MRT station to Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup is Paya Lebar (CC9/EW8). Just exit via Gate C and walk for about 8-10 minutes to reach it.

Final Thoughts

We wholeheartedly recommend visiting Mei Fa Fish Porridge Soup! This place is fantastic for those who enjoy flavorful fish soup with a rich broth. Be sure to support this lovely couple before they retire!