Swatow is Here! – Unique Claypot Porridge with no MSG!

Call me boring, but besides chicken rice being my all time favourite comfort food, it’s the humble bowl of porridge that has always come in a close second on days that I need that extra morale boost.

You know that one friend that you can always call to have a shoulder to cry on? Yup, that friend for me is a bowl of porridge.

Tucked away in a little coffee shop at Block 46 Holland Drive, you can find Mr Jimmy Tan cooking away at his shop, with towers of clay pots stacked in front of him. “Swatow is Here!” screams his attention-grabbing signboard, offering 7 different bowls of colourful porridge.

Swatow is Here has a vast array of ingredients such as yellow eel, prawn and even flower crab! What is even more unique is that the porridge is cooked in a claypot, with special ingredients, and a one-of-a-kind stock that’s simmered daily.

I ordered two different bowls of porridge — the first being Flower Crab, Yellow Eel, Prawn and Clam with Special Pork porridge ($10 – Small Size) and the more familiar Special Pork Porridge ($4 – Small Size). Our claypot porridge took a little long to arrive as there was a huge order before us. But the warm, and lightly bubbling, porridge made us forget all about the wait the moment it arrived.

Mr Tan shared that he uses a short grain rice or 珍珠米, similar to the ones used in Japanese cuisine, for his claypot porridge.  He thinks that “it helps to prevent the porridge from becoming too mushy”.

Every spoonful of the Flower Crab, Yellow Eel, Prawn and Clam with Special Pork porridge was flavourful and comforting. This porridge is perfect for any seafood lover! Most of the sweetness that the porridge carried was derived from the flower crab which was cooked beautifully. The prawns were fresh and well cooked too.

The Special Pork porridge was a little different. It was simple, but not at all mediocre. As there were lesser ingredients, the taste of the carefully simmered stock was more pronounced. I couldn’t resist the tasty porridge, and finished it in no time. At just $4, the porridge is definitely value for money as the portion seems enough for 2. However, I think that I can finish this whole bowl myself, so I’ll suggest that you order the medium bowl if you are sharing!

Mr Tan spent 6 months in China, learning to cook this ‘Swatow’ porridge from a master there. He has a lot of affection for the dish, speaking fondly of its unique flavour. He told us that it is hard to describe the taste of the porridge, but it will remind you of a home-cooked meal that’s prepared with love.

Swatow is Here’s unique flavours, reasonable price point, and good quality ingredients call for a visit. Come by for a heart (and tummy) warming meal which is especially perfect for a cold and gloomy day!

MissTamChiak.com made an anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

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