I tend to overeat during lunch hence I am always too full for dinner. During days like this, I crave for a bowl of soup or something light so that I don’t go hungry in the middle of the night. I was meeting my uncle and aunty for dinner one night after a heavy lunch, so aunty suggested to have teochew porridge. Initially, I wanted to visit the teochew porridge stall at Teck Ghee Court Food Centre, but I was told that the stall closed down already. So we went to Ann Hoo Teochew Porridge at Cheng San Food Centre instead.

Ann Hoo won a faithful following for its old-fashioned Teochew porridge fare of soya braised pork, homemade fish cake, salted vegetables, omelettes fried with chye poh, steamed fish, minced pork and such. The crowd of people slurping their hot porridge in the hawker centre got me hungry again.

I loved it especially for its steamed squid – fresh and tender. It is appetisingly dressed with chilli, a killer match. Its steamed minced pork patty, is moist and tasty because of the fats and salted fish within each patty. The homemade fish cakes were even better. It was so soft that it almost melts in my mouth. The smooth fish cakes provided a contrast with the hot porridge.

Teochew porridge is best enjoyed with a plate of braised items or the salty dishes like Chye Poh Omelette. Especially during cold weather, it tasted so good to let the warm bowl of porridge glide down my throat. The pork belly was well stewed in a balanced and fragrant braising sauce. Our order of steamed pomfret fish, a common barometer for Teochew cuisine, wasn’t quite to my liking. The fish was of an average sized and was served cold. It was topped with some salted vegetables and sliced ginger in a pool of subtle broth.

The dishes served here are old favourites – simple yet so good. I would definitely recommend the steamed fishcake. It tasted good when eaten with the chilli sauce and the fermented bean sauce provided.

Ann Hoo Teochew Porridge

Address: Cheng San Market & Cooked Food Centre, Blk 527 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10
#01-126/127 Singapore 560527
Opening hours: Mon to Thur 9am to 10pm; Sat & Sun 9am to 10pm. Closed on Fridays

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I don’t usually blog about non-food related articles but recently, my hairstylist Phyllis did a Keratin hair treatment for me and I SUPER LOVE IT, so I must share with you guys! I have been very irritated with my frizzy hair for a long time. No matter how much treatment I try to do, it doesn’t help much. When Phyllis told me excitedly about the new Keratin treatment that Pavo Hair Studio is providing, I didn’t quite believe it. When I finally tried it, I can finally understand why people who have had keratin hair treatments call them a “miracle”.

What is it? Keratin hair treatment is a semi-permanent, hair-smoothing, curl-softening professional chemical treatment. They make hair straighter, shinier and even healthier.

How it works? A keratin hair-straightening product is applied to your hair. Then, a flat iron is used to seal the treatment in. The process takes approximately 1.5hours, depending on your hair’s length.

How does a keratin hair treatment differ from rebonding/straightening? Rebonding/Straightening changes the internal structure of your hair, is permanent and may damage hair. Keratin hair treatments only last 3-6 months, soften curl, eliminate frizz and can make hair healthier over time. Keratin is a hair treatment, while rebonding/straightening is NOT.

Who is suitable for the treatment? If your hair has frizz or lacks shine, or have curls that you want to loosen, you are definitely a good candidate. Even if you have a good hair type, it still strengthens the hair shaft and makes your hair more resilient.

There was a controversial in the past but the treatments have already evolved. There’s no strong chemical smell while doing this treatment. Now, blow drying and straightening hair is so much easier! Quote “Miss Tam Chiak” for 20% off for haircut or 15% for treatment/perm/rebonding. Pavo Hair Studio is located at 1 Nassim Road. Tel: 6733 9909 (look for Phyllis)

*I was invited to try the Keratin treatment to write this review. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are honest and are my own.*