Sad times indeed, our old-time family makan places are closing.
One of them is Oasis Taiwan Porridge House which is an institution, and the other is a Joo Chiat Teochew
zhi-cha house. I forgot the name. We always remember it by its location – at the junction of Joo Chiat Place & Tembling Road. The place is run-down, with greasy tables, slippery floors and wet chopsticks. The servers are all old Teochew loud talkers, and one of them didn’t even wear shoes as he hurried around to serve food. But the food is so good – home made otah, tofu-pork in deliciously light broth, fluffy omelets with anchovies…that when it all arrives, I forget to feel squeamish about the general hygiene level and dig in with gazillions of zest.
When we get to the coffee shop, we will split into two teams – one will quickly secure a table, and the other (consisting of only dad) will line up to order food. One of their specialties is some kind of fish steamed with scales on, and the fish will be split into half and eaten cold. Sweet and juicy, and we will also never ever fail to order kangkong
belachan.
The place will be closed by December 16. One of the servers grumbled that everyone’s getting old… one guy’s complaining of arm aches, and another, leg pain… so they decided not to renew the rental lease and retire instead. Now every Sunday we will makan there, and desperately try to store up as many lovely memories as we can of the place.
Family members in happier times at
zhi-char place at previous Joo Chiat location:
JF, the next picture is dedicated to you:
Check out the eyes. Doesn’t she remind of you of Puss In Boots in Shrek 2? 
Nice coat she has. Looks like someone held her and dip half of her into a giant inkpot.
