Introduction

In a heartwarming twist involving food and sports, former badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew found himself reminiscing about Singaporean cuisine while competing in Odense, Denmark. The 2021 Badminton World Champion was struck by a craving for chicken rice, a dish widely adored in Singapore.

Loh's Craving and Grab's Response

On October 17, Loh took to Instagram, sharing snaps from his stroll through Odense, while lamenting about his longing for the iconic dish. Just a short while later, Grab Singapore’s official account chimed in with a light-hearted promise, offering to deliver chicken rice upon his return, complete with a thumbs-up emoji.

However, Loh—who is a self-proclaimed Grab Unlimited subscriber—playfully questioned if it would be possible to have the dish delivered right to him in Denmark. Grab responded with a humorous “Ok,” accompanied by a cheeky side-eye emoji, provoking laughter among their followers.

The Viral Delivery Video

The exchanges didn’t end there. Grab Singapore unleashed a creative PR stunt that took social media by storm. A video was posted on TikTok and Instagram showing a young woman donning a green Grab jacket, boarding a plane with a delectable order of chicken rice. She landed at the Copenhagen Airport and headed straight to Loh’s hotel room. Upon receiving the meal, a surprised Loh exclaimed, 'You really came? I thought you all joking. Oh my God, thank you.'

Mixed Reactions

The video, which quickly went viral, highlighted the lengths Grab was willing to go for its brand ambassador, who joined their ranks in 2022. In a lighthearted response to a user who joked that such a delivery might cost S$2,000, Grab noted that the chicken rice was free for their 'favorite badminton player.'

However, not all reactions were positive. Some users raised eyebrows about the freshness of the dish, questioning if it would pass Singapore’s food safety standards given the extensive travel time. Others expressed concern over Grab’s domestic service and delivery reliability, with a commenter detailing her poor experience when her order went missing. She lamented the unreasonable requirement for photographic proof of a non-existent delivery.

Grab's Response to Concerns

Grab responded promptly, soliciting the commenter’s details to resolve the issue. However, frustrations continued, with users urging the company to focus more on app improvements rather than social media antics, especially when they were left unanswered in their own delivery issues.

Conclusion

This delightful yet controversial incident illustrates the powerful connection food has with culture, as well as the tricky balance companies must strike between festive marketing and customer satisfaction. Loh’s unexpected chicken rice delivery has sparked joy and elicited concern in equal measure, prompting discussions on food quality and service reliability—all in the name of a beloved dish!