S'pore woman, 23, pays tribute to father who has run a porridge stall for 35 years to support family

With Father's Day around the corner, what better gift than a show of appreciation?

Iris Ong, 23, created a TikTok video montage celebrating her father, 58, who has been operating a porridge stall, Chinatown Porridge, for 35 years to support his family.

@iris.ongsj Father’s day is coming, and this year, I’m sharing his story❤️ Chinatown Porridge 443 Clementi Ave 3 (Food Pavilion) #sg #fyp #viral #sghawker #porridge #chinatownporridge #mydad #fathersday #story #clementi ♬ original sound - Iris Ong

She posted the TikTok video on Jun. 9, just a few days before Father's Day on Jun. 15.

Running a porridge business

Ong told Mothership that her father had been the sole breadwinner in their household for most of her life, before her mother began to help out at the store.

Her father first started his porridge business in 1990, in Singapore's West Coast.

He then moved Chinatown Porridge to its current location in Clementi, with his brother taking over the stall in West Coast.

According to Ong, the recipe remains largely the same over the years, with her father making minor tweaks to improve it.

Working hard for his family's sake

Ong says that her father has been "quietly and consistently doing this for decades, never asking for anything in return," and that he doesn't speak much but rather uses his actions to express his love.

"He is the most hardworking and amazing man I know, and I am proud to have him as my dad. (And) he is happiest when he brings my family out for meals."

She humorously noted that her father often orders too much when they head out to eat together.

Father's challenges and hopes

To Ong, her father always seems to downplays the tough parts of the job.

Yet she has seen what he has had to go through for her family.

"I've seen the long hours, the strain, and the toll it takes on his body.

Still, he always says, 'I go to work, go home, talk to my family, eat with them, sleep, repeat.'

He keeps things simple and carefree. He's a chill guy."

She also mentions in her video that her father would open his store every single day, getting ready from 4am, even on weekends and public holidays.

Speaking about what she hopes for the business, Ong hopes more people will see that the porridge he cooks is not only their next meal, but also a dish with a story.

"His porridge raised our family. I hope it continues to bring comfort to others, the way it has for us all these years."

What sparked the TikTok idea

Ong said she had always wanted to help businesses grow through social media.

Ong explained that she has been involved in brand management and content creation for a while.

And so, she thought that she could start by helping her father, given that this year marks his 35th year, which is "quite a milestone."

She went to her father, asking if he would be down to shoot a video of him to share online.

Not surprisingly, he replied in typical chill guy fashion: "Can lah."

Chinatown Porridge

Address: Food Pavilion, 443 Clementi Ave 3, Singapore 120443

Opening hours:

• Weekdays, 6am to 11pm
• Weekends, 6am to 5pm

Top image from @iris.ongsj on TikTok.