SGH food court’s S$7.30 tom yum soup underwhelms diners

SINGAPORE: The relentless grip of inflation has gradually elevated the cost of even food court indulgences, inciting frequent customer discontent regarding perceived value for money.

Recently, a discerning diner shared his experience, revealing a rather meager offering of three prawns and a solitary piece of sotong in his S$7.30 (US$5.4) tom yum soup from the food court within Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

The disappointed patron lamented that his meal was a far cry from being a worthy investment.

In a Facebook post shared within the Complaint Singapore Unrestricted group on Monday (4 Sep), the man expressed his dissatisfaction, deeming his meal as “absolutely not worth it”.

(Photo: Facebook/Complaint Singapore Unrestricted)

His culinary journey led him to the newly inaugurated Koufu food court within SGH, where he placed his order at the “Telur Thai” stall.

Promising an authentic Thai culinary experience prepared by skilled Thai chefs, the stall had garnered his interest.

The critique began with the revelation of just three diminutive prawns and a single sotong for the hefty price of S$7.30 (US$5.4).

What further soured his experience was the prawns’ less-than-optimal freshness, evidenced by their tendency to crumble and shed their shells upon touch.

The diner’s disapproval extended to the tom yum soup itself, as he found its portion to be significantly lacking, filling barely half the container.

Moreover, a third seemed to be nothing but oil, a revelation that he found particularly unappetizing.

In unequivocal terms, he described the entire experience as “revolting” and pledged never to return to the aforementioned stall.

When urged to lodge a complaint, the diner expressed scepticism, asserting that it would likely prove futile.

He attributed the size of the prawns to decisions made by the franchise holder, absolving the local staff of any influence.

The diner’s plight resonated with fellow netizens, with some pointing out the surprisingly steep prices at hospital food courts, rivalling even those at upscale locations such as Orchard and the airport.