A diner at Whampoa Makan Place food centre has taken to Facebook to express dissatisfaction with the portion size of the S$5 oyster omelette he ordered. The diner posted on Complaint Singapore, describing the dish as “so-called leftovers” and included a photo with a lighter for scale. Despite his frustration, he clarified that he had no intention of boycotting the stall and simply wanted to be fair, stating, “I strongly understand FNB, I personally think is too much.”
Background
The woman who runs the Huat Heng Fried Oyster stall explained to Shin Min Daily News that the S$5 portion is specifically designed for elderly customers who may not eat much and could waste food. The stall offers three portion sizes: S$5, S$8, and S$10. The stall has been in operation for 50 years, originally founded by her father-in-law, and she took over the business two years ago. She mentioned that prices have not been raised in over five years, and although they considered removing the S$5 option, her husband insisted on keeping it.
Customer’s experience
On the day of the complaint, the stall owner noted that the customer returned after purchasing the dish to confirm it was indeed the S$5 option. She observed the customer taking photos and noted that he was drinking with about five to six other people, suggesting that the small portion might not have been sufficient for such a group.
Stall’s reputation
Huat Heng Fried Oyster has been listed in the 2023 Michelin Guide Singapore, which praised the oyster omelette as “crisp and flavourful.” This recognition highlights the stall’s longstanding reputation for quality despite the recent complaint.
Owner’s perspective
The stall owner shared that this was the first complaint she had received since taking over the business. She emphasised the importance of catering to elderly customers and maintaining affordable options for them. “We have not raised the prices in more than five years. We had considered removing the S$5 option but my husband insists on keeping it,” she said.
Future considerations
The incident has sparked a discussion about portion sizes and customer expectations at hawker centres. While the stall owner remains committed to offering affordable options for the elderly, the feedback may prompt a review of how portion sizes are communicated to customers to avoid future misunderstandings.
