Kf Seetoh Posted Empty Images of Jewel; Netizens Disapprove Immediately

Have you heard of KF Seetoh?

Well, I did not know about his existence until I was given this article to write.

So for the readers out there who are as ignorant as me, KF Seetoh is actually the founder of Makansutra.

Makansutra was birthed in 1997 and is popular for giving food reviews. He was even recognised as Singapore’s Food Ambassador by then President SR Nathan.

Wow. That is pretty impressive, right?

Well, recently, he came into the limelight again.

This time for his comments on Jewel.

KF Seetoh insinuates that Jewel, costing Singapore $1.7 billion to build, has turned out to be a white elephant.

While a TODAYonline article did share that store owners are feeling that the tide has decreased, it most certainly has not reached the level that KF Seetoh proclaimed it to be.

Here are the photos that have received criticism from the public.

Shake Shack 

Shake Shack is an American burger joint that is raved about by most who have tried it. Brought to Singapore for the first time ever, the queues for Shake Shack have been endless. However, in this photo, it seems like there is no one at all.

Food Court 

While other restaurants in Jewel have had a lot of publicity, the food court has not had as much. However, as an affordable food option, many Singaporeans flock here to fill their stomachs.

In the photo below, it shows many empty tables.

A&W

Many Singaporeans have missed A&W since it left Singapore. From its reopening, A&W queues have been a crazy 2-hour wait. However, what we see here is a relatively healthy crowd for a food outlet, with just enough space for its patrons. I mean… you can’t expect the queue to be 2 hours forever.

Itacho 

I would say that Itacho in the background does look empty. But who eats that kind of food at 9.30am in the morning?

Experience 

I was at Jewel last Sunday, and I will tell you this, the queues were snaking for every eatery I walked past.

Yet, the photos do seem to prove his point.

KF Seetoh shared that he was there pre-opening hours at 9.30am on a Wednesday. That should explain a lot because well, people have to go to work, students have to go to school.

It should not be a surprise that the crowd now compared to its opening has decreased so tangibly. Do you go to Ion, or any other mall for that matter, just for fun before opening hours? I don’t think so.

Mixed responses 

Protecting the name of Changi Jewel

Other Singaporeans have taken it upon themselves to restore and protect the reputation of Jewel. They testify of how popular Jewel still is and how packed it is.

Celebration

Some are rejoicing at the news of the reduced crowd because it means that they can now go without having to jostle with hundreds of people.

Food prices 

Other Singaporeans lament that the prices of the food in Jewel is simply not sustainable for the average Singaporean. This is because the food there is pretty upmarket. Even Koi is called Koi Signature where a cup of bubble tea costs more than a meal in a hawker centre.

Irrelevant 

Some netizens post irrelevant comments of how immigration is a problem in Singapore.

Conclusion

Judging from the responses, it is safe to say that Jewel is still bustling with life.

Just don’t go before opening hours.