Netizens outraged over ‘cut-throat price’ of $8 for Nasi Padang at Punggol interchange canteen

SINGAPORE: In a time of higher food prices amid smaller portions, one unhappy consumer posted a photo of a rather small dish that had cost $8 and had been bought at a canteen.

It was more pricey than food at a nearby food court, the netizen wrote, calling the price “ridiculous.”

“Punggol interchange Canteen Malay food stall supposed to sell cheaper but is more expensive than the food court at nearby. $8 ! Ridiculous price,” wrote Wang Xinglong on the popular COMPLAINT SINGAPORE page on Friday (Dec 9).

The netizen posted a photo of the dish–Nasi Padang–which looked like a basic meal of meat or vegetables in a brown sauce and a portion of rice.

There is nothing special about the meal, nor are there any additional side dishes or extra ingredients.

Granted that the price of food has gone up throughout this year, which has been the subject of the complaints of many, $8 still seemed high to many netizens, who agreed with the poster.

One commenter called it a “cut-throat price.”

“Nowadays tons of food stall owners bring chopper along wit (sic) them, a view to a kill, chopped till pant drop,” wrote another.

A netizen wrote, “Another daylight robbery. BOYCOTT.”

“That is too ridiculous,” agreed another.

“Too much,” wrote one.

A netizen agreed, “Too expensive.”

It appeared that the poster had never asked for the price of the dish, expecting it to not be more than $5 or $6.

Throughout 2022, many netizens have complained over social media about higher food and beverage prices, including eggs, economy rice, bee hoon, and even lemon tea.

Many understand that inflation due to global issues such as supply chain problems and Russia’s attack on Ukraine can be blamed for higher prices.

Last week, when a hawker charged $3.50 for white rice with bean sprouts, a netizen called it daylight robbery.

/TISG

Hawker charges $3.50 for white rice with bean sprouts, netizen calls it daylight robbery