S$9 cai fan at Punggol hawker sparks complaint after diner says she was charged double for eating with daughter
A Singapore woman has questioned a S$9 bill for a cai fan meal at a Punggol hawker centre after she was reportedly told that the stall had charged her more because she was eating with her daughter.
The incident allegedly took place on July 30, according to a report by Shin Min Daily News.
The 50-year-old woman, identified as Liang in the report, had visited the hawker centre with her daughter and ordered a meal consisting of four dishes and a bowl of white porridge.
She said she had only requested an additional empty bowl because she intended to share the food with her daughter.
Four dishes and porridge came to S$9
The dishes she selected were glass noodles with tofu, egg tofu, scrambled eggs and broccoli.
She was charged S$8 for the four dishes and another S$1 for the porridge, bringing the total to S$9.
Liang reportedly felt that the amount was excessive because the stall’s displayed prices stated that ordinary dishes cost between S$1 and S$1.50 each, while a bowl of congee was priced at S$1.
Based on those listed prices, she calculated that four such dishes should have cost between S$4 and S$6, before adding the S$1 porridge.
When she questioned the staff, she was reportedly told that each dish had been charged at S$2 because the staff saw that she was dining with her daughter.
The portions were also said to have been increased.
Liang, however, claimed that she had never asked for larger portions and had only requested an extra bowl so that she could share the food.
She reportedly became more unhappy after noticing another customer who had paid S$5.80 for two vegetable dishes and one meat dish.
Stall says larger portions were given intentionally
The stall later provided an explanation for the higher bill.
According to Shin Min Daily News, a female employee said she remembered the mother and daughter and had intentionally provided them with double portions after seeing that there were two people eating.
She reportedly said this was the stall’s usual practice.
The employee also explained that the kitchen had been noisy at the time. She claimed she thought she heard the customer asking for two servings, which led her to believe that the larger portions were wanted.
Another employee reportedly initially told Liang that he had decided on his own to provide “two portions”, but later said he had heard that the food was meant for two people.
The stall’s displayed price list was also checked by Shin Min.
It showed vegetables, eggs and tofu priced between S$1 and S$1.50, while ordinary meat dishes ranged from S$1 to S$2.50.
The most expensive item listed was steamed fish tail, which was priced between S$6 and S$10.
Liang reportedly lodged a complaint with the hawker centre management over the incident.
The disagreement appears to centre on whether the larger portions were requested or clearly communicated before the food was served, rather than simply the prices displayed at the stall.
For diners, the incident also highlights how misunderstandings can arise when ordering shared food at hawker stalls — particularly when a stall decides to increase portions based on how many people are dining.