For me it's Congee Wong.
Or Congee Star.
Both are worth the drive up north.
I remember the first time I saw congee.
It was at dim sum down town and it was in some large gloopy very unappetizing mess of a wooden soup container pushed around on a cart that no one was paying any attention to, as most people were waiting for the really good stuff to come around.
It held absolutely no appeal for me.
Then one day while up at the north end of the city I stumbled upon a proper Congee restaurant.
Congee being the main attraction.
Big daddy ordered some and the rest is history.
Now I have a quite the congee addiction.
While I was pregnant it was one of the only things I could eat in those first three months.
I can see why it's actually considered a breakfast food.
It is comforting, tasty and easy to digest.
Substantial but not too heavy.
My two favourites are minced beef congee & fresh shrimp congee.
Though I have to say when it comes to the pig blood jello congee I'll take a pass.
We usually end up ordering most of the same things everytime we either eat in or take out from Congee Star.
Baby Pak Choi with garlic sauce.
Rice noodle with beef & black bean sauce.
fried squid with spicy salt.
and one of our absolute favourites fried chili turnips singapore style.
so so good.
You wont find chicken balls with that mysterious red (nuclear) sauce here.
This is pretty authentic.
Some times you have to go to the strangest parts of the city to find the best food.
But in my opinion that's half of the fun.
so it's three g's for Congee Star (and Congee Wong)
great food
good atmosphere-busy & fairly clean
good service
Check it out some time www.congeestar.com or if you are even further up north Congee Wong.
10 ravel road (finch & leslie square unit 5-6) north york 416.493.8222
I'm fairly adventurous, but I've never heard of Congee. It sure sounds good from your description (although not the jello). I will admit to liking the red nuclear sauce though..
Posted by: nomotherearth | June 07, 2007 at 10:51 PM