Introduction

In a heartwarming yet controversial gesture, Grab Singapore recently delivered a taste of home to badminton superstar Loh Kean Yew while he was competing in Odense, Denmark. Loh, who rose to fame as the 2021 Badminton World Champion, took to Instagram to express his cravings for one of Singapore’s quintessential dishes: chicken rice.

Loh's Craving

Posting photos of his stroll through Odense on October 17, Loh captioned his images with the wistful thought, “Rare chance to explore a different side of Odense, and here I am thinking about chicken rice 🤷‍♂️.” This innocent craving caught the attention of Grab Singapore, who cheekily responded, “We deliver chicken rice to you when you’re back,” paired with a thumbs-up emoji.

A Humorous Exchange

Loh didn’t shy away from engaging, humorously reminding them that he was indeed a Grab unlimited subscriber and playfully inquiring whether he could have the famed dish delivered to Denmark. The witty exchange continued with Grab responding simply, “Ok,” while adding a playful side-eye emoji to keep the banter alive.

The Delivery Stunt

But the fun didn’t stop there. On that same Monday morning, Grab Singapore unveiled a video on TikTok and Instagram featuring a young woman clad in a green Grab jacket, boarding a plane with an order of chicken rice. The video documented her journey from Singapore to Copenhagen, where she excitedly delivered the meal right to Loh’s hotel room. “You really come?” a astonished Loh exclaimed in the video. “I thought you all joking eh. Oh my God, thank you.”

Social Media Response

The company showcased this delightful delivery, captioning the video with, “@lohkeanyew: thinking of chicken rice. Us: Ok got it.” In a moment of sheer disbelief, Loh commented that he “still can’t believe it,” graciously thanking Grab for the unexpected surprise.

Mixed Reactions

However, not all reactions were positive. Social media users raised eyebrows about the freshness and safety of the chicken rice after such a long transit, with one pointing out that it might not meet the standards set by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

Customer Concerns

As the conversation evolved, some commenters expressed their frustrations with Grab’s services back home, lamenting delivery issues they had encountered. One user shared her disappointment about an undelivered order, highlighting the irony of needing to provide photographic proof of a missing delivery. “How is a customer supposed to prove a missing delivery with a photo—of an empty doorstep?” she asked, appealing for better customer service.

Conclusion

In an ironic twist, while Grab worked hard to entertain Loh’s delivery wish, some customers felt ignored and urged the company to improve its services locally rather than focusing solely on social media engagement. One user noted having two unresolved issues without any feedback from Grab. This incident, while showcasing a unique marketing stunt, has opened a dialogue about customer service. As Grab navigates the balancing act of fan engagement and addressing real customer concerns, it remains to be seen how they will handle this mix of delight and disappointment. Will they be able to maintain their reputation and meet the expectations that come with being a favored delivery service? Only time will tell!