A man dining at a claypot restaurant in Hougang Green Shopping Mall was horrified to find several maggots in his Herbal Chicken Soup — a discovery that left him nauseated and later suffering from stomach discomfort. The incident, which has since gone viral, has prompted the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to step in and investigate.
The customer, 29-year-old interior designer Leon Wee, had been dining with his girlfriend at the restaurant on the night of 30 July when he made the revolting discovery. According to a TikTok video he posted under the handle @leoxkennedy, he found what he initially thought was a noodle — only to realise it was a live maggot. As he continued sifting through the soup, he ended up fishing out between 15 and 20 larvae.
Photos and footage showed multiple maggots lined along the rim of the bowl, while more appeared at the bottom once the soup had been emptied.
TikTok Video Sparks Public Concern Over Food Hygiene
The clip has garnered over 160,000 views and hundreds of comments, with netizens expressing disbelief and disgust. Some questioned whether the soup had already been consumed, prompting Leon to clarify that the soup was served in a separate bowl from the claypot and was emptied to reveal more maggots underneath.
In response to suggestions to file a complaint, Leon confirmed he had already reported the matter to the SFA. He also stated that he experienced stomach pains and vomiting after consuming part of the soup, although his girlfriend did not fall ill.
When he informed the restaurant staff, he was offered a waiver of the S$6 to S$9 meal bill — but, according to Leon, there was no inquiry into his health or offer of medical assistance.
Following the virality of the video, the restaurant allegedly reached out to him, offering S$128 in exchange for removing the video. Leon, however, declined, stating that no amount could reverse the fact that he had already consumed a contaminated meal.
SFA Investigating, Warns Operators on Food Safety Responsibility
Responding to media queries, the Singapore Food Agency confirmed that it is currently looking into the complaint. In a statement, the agency reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to food safety breaches and emphasised that enforcement action will be taken if investigations uncover evidence of poor hygiene practices.
“Food safety is a joint responsibility,” said the SFA, urging all food operators to ensure their premises are clean, well-maintained, and adhere strictly to proper food handling procedures.
Members of the public who encounter similar food hygiene issues are encouraged to report them via the SFA’s official feedback platform.
The case has reignited discussions around the importance of stringent food safety measures and the role of both regulators and consumers in keeping eateries accountable. For food and beverage establishments, especially in high-traffic areas like shopping malls, such incidents can severely impact public trust and brand reputation — making proactive hygiene enforcement not just a regulatory obligation, but a business imperative.