Customer cries foul over $24 chicken rice at Yishun stall
The diner asked for three servings of breast meat, but was asked to pay three times the price of a normal portion.
A diner has voiced her dissatisfaction after a well-known stall in Yishun tried to charge her $24 for a larger serving of chicken rice with breast meat.
Property agent Ms Li, 29, shared her experience on STOMP, claiming the price for "three portions of chicken breast with rice" was unreasonably high - comparable to that of a steak.
The incident took place on July 5 at the 925 Chicken Rice stall located in Yishun Central.
Ms Li told Shin Min Daily News that she had requested "three portions of chicken breast with rice", expecting the total cost to be between $12 and $15.
However, Ms Li was shocked when the cashier told her that the meal would cost $24.
When she questioned the price, the staff explained that one portion of chicken rice with breast meat costs $8. Hence, three portions amounted to $24.
Pay more for more meat
In response to queries, 925 Chicken Rice stall said Ms Li was charged more as she asked for more meat, and staff typically confirm the order with customers before preparing it.
But Ms Li found the pricing inconsistent, noting that half a chicken at the same stall is priced at $15, making her order disproportionately expensive.
Ultimately, she paid only $8 for a single portion.
Ms Li added that the portion size was modest: "I didn't ask further as there were customers waiting behind me. But I guess this will be my last time ordering from them."
"This is just an ordinary coffee shop, without air-conditioning. Charging $24 for three pieces is outrageous - I could buy a steak with that money," she said.
When Shin Min reporters visited the stall, stall employees said they did not recall the incident.
Mr Ni, 33, who manages the stall, suggested there may have been a misunderstanding, adding that a standard serving of chicken rice with breast meat would not cost $8.
"She must have added extra meat. We always double-check with customers and never serve the largest portion by default," he said.
Photos uploaded by Ms Li showed the serving included two rows of chicken breast, indicating a larger-than-usual portion.
Some netizens agreed that the stall's pricing was unfair. "I stopped patronising that stall whenever I visit Yishun. I'd rather spend the money and eat elsewhere," said one.
Another netizen had a different view: "I think it is the Stomper's fault for ordering the food without finding the prices. Each food outlet sets the prices according to their own calculations of profit margin. There are no rules or regulations governing the itemised food prices and eating places."