NTU stall owner explains her food prices after parent's complaint, says this is not cai fan
A stall owner at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has responded to feedback regarding high food prices following feedback from a parent.
This comes after an Aug 26 report in which Stomper Fen expressed discontent about paying $6.30 for a meal at NTU's Hall 2 food court.
Fen had ordered rice ($0.80) with pork ($2.50), egg ($1.50) and brinjal ($1.50) on Aug 21.
Stall owner Ms Li, 50, told Shin Min Daily News that she started operating on Aug 8.
She also clarified that hers was not an ordinary economy rice ('cai fan') stall but rather, she sold Chinese stir-fry dishes. Therefore, the cost of her ingredients are higher.
Ms Li said: "NTU used to have two or three such Chinese stir-fry stalls before, where it was dish by dish. I decided to switch to a cai fan model so that students would have more choices."
She also noted that besides pork, her stall also offered mutton at $2.50 per portion, as well as beef and seafood at $3 per portion.
The prices are not considered expensive and clearly indicated, Ms Li added.
Her stall also provides free soup and extra rice at no charge.
Ms Li said: "In addition, our mala hotpot does not have a base charge. I also do not use normal rice, but a pricier one from China."
Students interviewed by Shin Min had mixed sentiments about whether the stall's pricing was reasonable, but pointed out that there are other canteens with more economical options on campus.
Stomper Sharon, however, agreed with Fen.
Sharon told Stomp on Aug 31: "NTU food is indeed expensive.
"In my two weeks recently at the school during which I frequented the Hall 7 canteen and Koufu food court (North Spine), the food prices are generally more expensive than coffee shops or hawker centres outside.
"The cai fan at Koufu for one meat and one rice is already $3+, and that is after a 5% student's matriculation discount. The cheapest item is probably fishball noodles at $4.20, with others like a chicken rice set costing $7.30.
"Even if food prices at other canteens are lower, we should base the prices on places most frequented by students.
"This puzzles me as I thought food stall rentals at tertiary institutions are subsidised and there should be some guidelines regarding food prices for students."
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