$5.50 for this cai png? Spinach twice the price of meatballs as veggies need extra cleaning: AMK stall
Seah Jun De
The New Paper
April 2, 2025
A woman complained about the price of cai png (economy rice) at an Ang Mo Kio coffee shop, saying $5.50 for two vegetables and one meat was too expensive.
The coffee shop owner explained the higher cost, citing the tedious preparation required for the specific vegetables ordered.
55-year-old Ms. Zheng told Shin Min Daily News that she visited the cai png stall near her home at Block 133 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 with friends.
She expected to pay around $3 or $4, but was surprised by the $5.50 bill.
While she questioned the staff about the charges, their explanation was unclear, leaving her dissatisfied. She paid and left without further argument.
"I think this charge is a bit unreasonable, and I will not patronise it again," she said.
The stall owner, 60-year-old Ms Zhang, explained that based on a photo of the meal, Ms Zheng had ordered spinach and red spinach, both priced at $2 per portion.
The meatballs cost $1, and the rice 50 cents, adding up to the $5.50 total.
According to Ms Zhang, these particular vegetables are more expensive because they require extra cleaning.
"They contain a lot of dirt and sand. They have to be soaked twice and rinsed once, which is more labour and water-intensive and time-consuming than preparing other vegetables."
She added: "If you don't choose these two vegetables, the price will be $3. I have been running a stall in a coffee shop for about 10 years and never calculated the price carelessly. When customers choose these vegetables, I will remind them that it is $2."
Ms Zhang speculated that her husband may have served Ms Zheng and forgotten to give the usual warning about the price.
A 57-year-old regular customer, Mr Fu, told reporters the stall operates as a Teochew porridge stall, and $5 or $6 for a meal isn't excessive in the current economic climate.
"The quality of their food is not bad, and the dishes offered are not like ordinary cai png, so it is normal for the price to be slightly higher."
Ms Zhang also shared with the Chinese daily the challenges of running a coffee shop stall, citing monthly utility bills exceeding two thousand dollars.
"We hope that everyone can understand the difficulties we face."
The Consumers Association of Singapore and Koufu recently announced a collaboration to implement colour-coded price labels at cai png stalls in Koufu food courts and coffee shops by the end of 2025.
This initiative aims to improve price transparency and prevent pricing disputes.
