A travelling couple currently based in Malaysia has evoked passionate responses from netizens on both sides of the Causeway after posting TikTok videos about how expensive food in Singapore is.
Mr Terry Pernell from Chicago, who calls himself a traveller and user-generated content (UGC) creator, and his partner Ms Mag from Kenya, a travel influencer, were in Singapore recently, having spent almost two months before that backpacking across Malaysia and Bali.
On Sept 11, Mr Pernell posted a video filmed at Newton Food Centre with the caption: “Singapore got me paying US$35 for food… meanwhile Malaysia got the same vibes for half the price. Which one y’all picking?”
The clip, which has since drawn more than 262,200 views, 8,000 reactions and 700 comments, showed a plate of satay, a large plate of egg fried rice and a plate of stir-fried sliced beef.
“This better knock me off my feet,” Mr Pernell said, while holding onto two sticks of satay.
While he conceded that the food’s “not bad”, he said if he had to compare, he’d take Malaysia’s food “any day”.
He also quipped that Singaporeans “must have real big money” and told visitors to “bring your big bag full of money”.
“It’s a tourist hawker centre”
Netizens were quick to point out that Newton Food Centre is a tourist hotspot and not representative of typical hawker prices.
“I’m Singaporean also never go Newton and eat,” said one.
“Bro went to tourist hawker, expectheartland price. lol,” another commented.
“The price you paid doesn’t represent the whole of Singapore. There are many places in Singapore where you can get same food much cheaper,” said yet another, to which Mr Pernell replied: “Yes, I understand completely now.”
One commenter even gave a stern reminder: “How do you think our country stays so safe, so clean, and keeps drug use and crime so low? The money has to come from somewhere, right? Whether you’re a Singaporean, a foreigner working here, or just visiting as a tourist – the moment you step into Singapore, you’re contributing. Through the taxes, fees, and levies you pay, you’re helping to build and sustain the nation.”
Mr Pernell replied respectfully: “Understood! Tq for sharing this.”
Some Malaysian commenters took pride in their local food.
“We may basically have the same food but once you tasted Malaysian food, you can’t untaste it. Malaysian food way better prove me wrong.”
“Bet u missing Malaysian food and the prices,” said another.
Several Singaporeans admitted that eating out here is pricey.
“We know… we know *cries in Singaporean* that’s why sometimes we cross the border into Johor to eat,” said one.
Others felt it was unreasonable to expect Malaysian prices for Singapore food.
“You’re comparing prices between first world country and developing country. That’s not fair,” said one comment.
Meanwhile, Ms Mag posted a video of the same $45 meal, agreeing it was expensive but conceding that it was good. Her clip, however, didn’t gain as much traction as Mr Pernell’s since it lacked the comparison angle.
However, a separate 15-second video with the subtitle, “Singapore is not for the poor”, in which she laments about paying $10 for a beer, did get close to 24,000 views.
That video also received some attention on Reddit.
“Come back to KL, baby,” said one of her followers, to which she replied: “I’m on my wayyy right now!”
One TikTok user was less sympathetic: “S’pore not for cheapo.”
