SINGAPORE: A couple recently found themselves at the center of a culinary controversy when they decided to walk away from a cai fan food stall after being slapped with an unexpectedly high bill of $11.60 instead of the anticipated $7.40. The incident occurred at a well-known food stall, but what happened next turned a simple meal into a heated discussion.

The man, who shared his experience on Reddit's r/askSingapore, described how he and his girlfriend were taken aback by the steep price increase after ordering two meat dishes and one vegetable. According to the stall's pricing, meat dishes were supposed to cost $2.50 each, vegetables $1.30, and rice $0.60—a total that should have amounted to $7.40.

Confusion set in when the stall owner explained that the black pepper chicken was classified as a "premium" dish, leading to the inflated charge. In addition, the vegetable dish was claimed to contain seafood, which the man noted appeared to be just a smattering of tiny anchovies. He was willing to pay despite the high price, drawing parallels with costs he encountered during his time in Australia.

However, his girlfriend was not pleased. After a heated exchange with the stall owner, she urged him to leave, prompting a dramatic exit amidst shouts from both parties. The man later expressed concern about their potential notoriety following the incident.

In his Reddit post, he reflected on whether this pricing discrepancy was a common occurrence or a problem unique to this stall, especially since he had regularly enjoyed cai fan in Singapore without issue before moving abroad for two years.

Commenters quickly came to his defense, assuring him that walking away was a reasonable response. Many praised his girlfriend's understanding and assertiveness, labeling her a "keeper" for standing up against what they deemed unfair pricing. One user humorously remarked, “You just got covered for life; never let her go.”

This incident highlights an important issue in Singapore’s vibrant food scene, where diners often share experiences of receiving unfairly high bills. It raises questions about pricing transparency and customer rights, reminding everyone that it’s perfectly acceptable to seek clarification—and sometimes even to walk away if something doesn't feel right!