Shocking Price Increase at The Original Sembawang White Beehoon

SINGAPORE: A recent experience at The Original Sembawang White Beehoon left a diner reeling from the steep price increase on one of their most popular dishes. Taking to social media, the diner revealed that what was once a comforting bowl of bee hoon for S$8.50 had skyrocketed to S$10.80. This steep rise did not even include the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or the service charge.

In her post on the r/askSingapore forum, the diner expressed her disbelief at the unexpected price bump, noting, “I was not informed of the price markup, and only received the menu upon arrival. It wasn't until I paid that I noticed the significant increase.”

When she inquired with restaurant staff about the reasons for the price hike, they attributed it to a disruption in supply from their usual vendors, which forced the restaurant to source ingredients at higher prices. In an astonishing revelation, staff mentioned that this price increase would last not merely for the festive period, but for a full 18 days, starting four days before Chinese New Year.

“I get that price increases happen during the festive seasons, but this feels excessive,” she commented. “I’ve never experienced something like this in my years working in food and beverage.”

The diner was not alone in her frustration. Many Reddit users joined the conversation, sharing their sentiments on the matter. While some conceded that price hikes during Chinese New Year are not unusual, they deemed this specific increase to be unreasonably high. Comments included advice to other patrons to steer clear of the restaurant altogether.

One Redditor declared, “This isn’t normal. They are overrated anyway—consider taking your business elsewhere!” Another commenter criticized the establishment's decision-making: “If they want to close during the festive season, they should just do that instead of upsetting their customers with outrageous prices.”

However, not everyone was quick to condemn the restaurant. A few users provided context, suggesting that while local suppliers typically stop for a few days during the festive period, the larger issue arises from increased costs due to the prolonged closure of suppliers, especially during the Chinese New Year holiday in China.

In light of growing concerns over transparency in pricing, the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) has taken notice. They reported an increase in complaints regarding unexpected surcharges, rising from four in 2022 to nine in the past year, spanning various services like haircuts and car washes, often with consumers unaware of additional costs until after payment.

To combat this trend, CASE has urged businesses to be upfront about any price increases, particularly during festive seasons. This call for transparency is critical as consumers look for fair practices across the board, especially during times when collective spending typically rises.

Could this shocking price increase spark a wider conversation on fairness and transparency in Singapore's food industry? Time will tell, but diners are definitely paying attention!