RECESSION DINING: CHINESE COMFORT FOOD

Whenever I feel a little under the weather, I know it’s time to visit Porridge King. There’s nothing like a big bowl of steaming rice porridge (we call it lugaw) to make you feel nurtured.

Chinese porridge is filling but not too heavy, with a clean flavor and mildness you can keep as is or customize. It’s non-threatening to the tummy and the pocket. It is comfort food at its best. You don’t have to be sick to enjoy it.

Porridge King offers the best variety of porridge and noodle soup under one roof in the peninsula from morning to night. But surprise, surprise, the place also happens to be a good cheap spot for a full-on dinner because of its varied menu.

I’ve been a Porridge King diner for about eight years now. During my most recent visits, it appears inflation has taken its toll. But even at current prices, I still keep it in my list for recession dining.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Other Chinese restaurants may have porridge, but only if you ask, and only as a side dish of measly proportions. Here, the assumption is one big bowl will be shared, or is the main meal.

When I feel like having a hearty porridge, my favorite is the Sampan’s Porridge which has seafood, pork, and peanuts. When I want a lighter version, I go for the Fish or Seafood Porridge. I’ve never been tempted to order Pig Organ, or Pig Kidney and Liver Porridge, but I should give the Salt Pork and Duck Egg a try sometime soon. One big bowl, one good meal, pay the bill, you’re done. All porridge varieties, $5.75.

When I want something else to go with my porridge, I go to the barbecue and braised items menu. This is a sampler’s delight. For $3.85, you can get small portions of--take your pick--roast duck, braised beef brisket, barbecue pork, soya chicken, it’s a long list. If you want to upgrade to a regular size, it’s $6.75. When size options are available, that’s savings opportunity right there.

Steve is more of a rice plate diner here, and the list of offerings is long.

On our last visit, he got the Minced Beef and Raw Egg on Rice. The plate was brimming with rice topped with a scandalous portion of minced beef in sauce. Steve cracked the raw egg over this orgy of rice and meat. It came with a bowl of broth with more meat in it . I believe he went off-diet this time. With all that food for just $7.75, he’ll just have to exercise it all off.

I got a Fish Porridge bowl ($5.75) and a regular size side of Steamed Fresh Green Vegetable ($6.35) to share and provide Steve some fiber with his barbaric meal. Total bill $20.95, with tax, tip not included. Good flavor, good portions, good value. It’s why I keep coming back.

DINER BEWARE

Some caveats about Porridge King. If you can help it, visit during off-hours. During peak lunch and dinner hours, the place is so packed you’ll never see your waiter again. But don’t get too close to closing time either. Steve and I once drove like mad and beat closing time by about 10 minutes, only to be turned away.

Also, this became a BYOL place. Bring Your Own Lemon, because they started charging one dollar for lemon. If you really want lemon, hop over to Ranch 99 across the parking lot and get four lemons for a dollar. What a scam, a dollar for a lemon, my foot.

Instant flashback to a Hong Kong hole-in-the-wall. My friend Ellen and I were shocked to get separate charges for napkins and ice. I guess Porridge King just got truer to its roots.

Well, you can’t argue with success, or good cheap food. Especially not during a recession.

Porridge King is at 55 Skyline Plaza, Daly City CA. It’s open daily Monday-Fridays at 11 am, Saturday and Sundays 10 am, and open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

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