Fried Rice Paradise

Late July, early August 2006 No prizes for guessing how we spent most of our time in Singapore. One of our first stops was Sakae Sushi where Saffron fell back into her routine of popping Edamame beans into the laps and hair of neighbouring diners while vying with Mummy for the much-coveted role of Pickled Ginger Purveyor.

Caught here gleefully tucking in to her staple Kaya Toast and Soft-boiled eggs. With lots of ground white pepper and light soy sauce.

There are many good things about living abroad, but chief among them surely has to be coming home. Especially if it's coming home to a big, no holds-barred, cook-out by Por Por Cindy, to her now-signature Peranakan-Hainanese spread of delicacies. (If you're ever lucky enough to be invited to join us at one of these, don't bother with the Buah Keluak. Nasty black bitter gooey stuff, that. I wouldn't touch it if I were you.)

Available at all hours, hot and varied, often consumed amidst colourful company, and never properly priced (and therefore always overpriced); what's not to like about Teochew porridge?

Prove that we don't just slum it when we're back in Singapore: a snapshot of the obligatory sit-down, slap-up meal at a respectable Chinese restaurant. Ahem.