Coffeeshop Slammed for Charging $1.80 for Yuenyeung But $1.40 for Coffee / Tea

Anyone living in Singapore would know that we’re extremely creative when it comes to our drinks. I mean, who else could have come out with names like Michael Jackson (fresh soy milk with black grass jelly) or Clementi (lemon tea)?

One drink that confuses foreigners is yuenyeung; it’s basically just a combination of coffee and tea, usually at equal amount (for Singapore).

While it’s not commonly found in mainstream restaurants, coffeeshops or hawkers would usually offer it.

But given that it’s just a combination of two drinks…should it cost more?

Netizens Complained After Coffeeshop Charges $1.80 for Yuenyeung But $1.40 for Coffee / Tea

There’s a debate on Toa Payoh about this first-world problem.

Apparently, over at the coffeshop, a cup of coffee or tea cost $1.40—pretty expensive but still reasonable.

But at this Blk 203 coffeeshop, a cup of yuenyeung cost $1.80—a whopping $0.40 more.

A reader tipped off Shin Min Daily about this issue, wondering why it’d cost so much more just by mixing the drink.

Price Changed Immediately After Complaint

If you need an example of how a media complaint could lead to a change, look no further.

A reporter from Shin Min Daily went to the coffeeshop last Saturday (11 February) to investigate further, but the coffeeshop assistant said that the boss wasn’t around. He was unable to explain why a cup of  yuenyeung costs so much more than a cup of coffee or tea.

However, when the reporter went back to the coffeeshop the next morning, it’s revealed that the price of a cup of yuenyeung is now $1.40 instead after the stall assistant informed the boss about the reporter’s reporter.

It’s still unknown why they change the price.

Guess we’d never know…but here’s the burning question: Is it rational for yuenyeung to cost more?

Prices of Yuenyeung in Hong Kong Restaurants

Lest you’re unaware, Singapore isn’t the country to invent yuenyeung.

Instead, it’s a drink that originated in Hong Kong. Over in the city, it’s a popular drink, and usually, it consists of brewed coffee and black tea with sugar and milk.

What’s interesting is that the most popular and original version is 30%  coffee and 70% milk tea.

So, does Hong Kong restaurants in Singapore charge more for yuenyeung?

Apparently not: in Xin Wang Hong Kong Café, its yuenyeung is priced similar to its coffee and tea.

In Tai Cheong Bakery, its yuenyeung is priced the same as its coffee and tea, too.

In other words, the Toa Payoh coffeeshop does have some explaining to do.

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