SINGAPORE: A recent dining experience has left a customer seething with frustration after discovering that the much-anticipated soup he ordered turned out to be a mere imitation of the hearty meal he was expecting.

Mr. Allan Dong took to social media on Monday (Dec 16) to vent his dissatisfaction with a $21 soup order from The Soup Spoon, revealing that the solid ingredients were so sparse they could fit into a single spoonful.

A Disappointing Meal

Mr. Dong had ordered a salad set meal that included a regular Tokyo Chicken Stew, a half portion of Kale Salad, and a refreshing home-brewed iced lemon tea, all through the Grab delivery app. To satiate his appetite, he opted to upsize the Tokyo Chicken Stew to a large, which unfortunately did little to improve his overall experience.

Upon receiving his meal, he was shocked to find scant solid components in his soup, leading him to lament, “The Soup Spoon, shame on you! S$21, upsized, and that’s all the solid ingredients inside—just one flat spoonful. Truly one spoon of soup.”

A Growing Discontent

The disappointment didn’t stop with just the soup; Mr. Dong had also selected a sandwich set, bringing his total spending for this meal to S$42.50 after discounts. The high price tag for what he received left him questioning if he could have gotten a more satisfying meal elsewhere. “S$21 can get you so many other, better choices…,” he noted.

Social Media Reaction

His post quickly gained traction on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page, resonating with a host of other disgruntled customers who expressed similar grievances regarding The Soup Spoon’s portion sizes. One user recounted their own experience, stating, “I ordered once, and it was also like this—more than one spoon, and I never ordered it again.” Others chimed in, criticizing the quality and quantity of the meat in the soups, remarking on how it was much better in the past.

Advice and Alternatives

Amid the chorus of complaints, fellow users offered advice suggesting Mr. Dong explore other eateries or consider cooking at home for more satisfying meals at a fraction of the cost. “Next time, don’t buy from them. Cooking for yourself is cheaper and healthier,” one user pointedly remarked.

Another Incident

In a surprising twist, this incident is not an isolated case—just days prior, another diner, Zaiton Eton, took to social media to lament over her overpriced chicken rice meal, which cost S$6.80 and featured only a few slices of chicken on a bed of rice, leaving her feeling similarly shortchanged.

The Bigger Question

As the conversation around restaurant portion sizes and pricing heats up, patrons are left wondering: is it time to hold dining establishments accountable for their offerings, or simply opt for cooking at home where value for money can be ensured?