LOYAL patrons of the ‘squatting’ Teochew porridge in Magazine Road can rejoice once more as they can still enjoy their meal in their preferred sitting position at the same stall.
The previous operator, Tan Jin Hock aka ‘Ah Jin’, had ceased operations early last year (2021) after serving its loyal customers for almost 80 years. Tan’s ‘squatting’ Teochew porridge stall was believed to be Penang’s last of its kind then.
A new operator, Ooi Yew Meng aka ‘Ah Meng’, decided to take up the stall and serve his authentic Teochew porridge. Guess what? Ooi also retained the stools which are placed on benches for his customers to experience having their meal in a squatting position.
Ooi, 68, who now runs the Ah Meng Teochew porridge stall, also serves economic rice.
“I have decided to continue my Teochew porridge and economic rice business here in Magazine Road, after operating in several places.
“I have been in this business for almost 20 years. I operated a Teochew porridge and economic rice business for about 13 years in Kuala Lumpur before coming to Penang.
“In Penang, I worked for a business owner who has a few branches here. I managed the stall in Perak Road for about five years and I also had my stall in Macalister Road previously.
“Some friends recommended me this spot and I have decided to open my stall here in Magazine Road. I retained the stools as I want my customers to continue having the privilege of eating in a squatting position. There is a choice for them to eat while sitting on proper chairs,” he told Buletin Mutiara today.
Ooi said that his signature dish is curry.
“My customers would come for my curry. I would recommend either the Nyonya curry or the Indian curry,” he added.
Ooi said he had also installed a food shelf some two months ago.
“The food shelf functions as a partition between the dishes and the diners. I try my best to ensure that my stall is clean and safe for my customers,” he said.
Ooi said he began operating in April last year (2021), but the operating hours were inconsistent then.
“There were various movement control orders (MCOs) last year, hence, the operating hours were inconsistent.
“My business has only started to bloom recently. Now, my stall is open five days a week from 9am to 4pm (Thursday to Monday),” he said.
Ooi hoped to operate from 9am to 9pm, beginning next month.
M Summit Group corporate communications manager Ng Su-Ann said the company was excited that Penang’s last ‘squatting’ Teochew porridge stall has been revived.
“We’re so happy that Penang’s last ‘squatting’ Teochew porridge stall has been revived – thanks to a new operator. When we heard the old stall had ceased operations early last year, we were sad that another dying tradition has gone extinct.
“We have a soft spot for this stall as it is not only a few minutes’ walk from our office, but our artistic staff had also immortalised it on our wall mural beside our automated car park. Recently, we did two more murals – one on the famous star coffee stall behind our building and another depicting trams in old George Town.
“Penang is indeed steeped in cultural heritage. We believe that this is something we must never take for granted but instead appreciate and try to preserve before they are long gone,” she said.
Story and pix by Christopher Tan