Kopitiam responds to hospital employee's feedback about oily curry with 6 pieces of chicken

Submitted by Stomper V

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Food court operator Kopitiam has responded to a diner's feedback about what she felt was both an expensive and unhealthy meal at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).

Stomper V, who works at the hospital, said she often buys food from the Healthy Kopitiam food court there.

She had purchased green curry chicken with rice from a Thai food stall at the food court on Oct 8, but was unsatisfied with her order.

V, who enjoys a 20% staff discount at the food court, said: "The Thai food stall is quite new and it's the second time I've ordered from them.

"The first time, I bought seafood tom yum. I thought it was quite expensive as there were only a few pieces of seafood, but thought it was understandable as seafood is pricier.

"But this time, I paid $6.70 for green chicken curry with rice ($5.36 after 20% off) and got barely six proper pieces of chicken slices.

"And look at the layer of oil on top of the gravy."

(The Stomper said there was "a lot" of oil floating on the curry)

V told Stomp: "Hospital food might be slightly pricier compared to other places due to the availability of healthier options.

"But if even hospital staff find the food expensive, then what about members of the public?"

In response to a Stomp query, a Kopitiam spokesman thanked V for her feedback and said: "To clarify, the dine-in price for the meal is $5.50 before Kopitiam Card discount. It will cost $4.40 after factoring in the Institution Kopitiam Card discount.

"However, the customer ordered the meal with extra rice as takeaway. The cost for the extra rice and takeaway charge are stated clearly in the receipt."

According to the spokesman, the food court at TTSH is operated under the 'Healthy Kopitiam' brand with a wider array of Healthier Choice meals made available to diners.

He told Stomp in a statement: "The Thai food stall in question retails at least four Healthier Choice meals and uses Healthier Choice cooking oil.

"We have instructed the Thai Food licensee to standardise the food portion and will continue to monitor the stall to ensure that this is strictly adhered to."

Audit checks are also conducted as part of Kopitiam's regime to ensure that good food quality is maintained, added the spokesman.