This economy rice that costs S$20.40 on Chinese New Year at VivoCity is actually not very economical

Adam Smith would be proud though.

Belmont Lay| February 10, 04:48 PM

Economy rice. Also known as cai png. The food of the working class heroes in Singapore. The fuel that has powered the economic progress of Singapore for decades.

The very sustenance with proven track record for dishing out calories that even the Singapore Armed Forces relies on to feed its troops since the inception of conscription.

The one fuss-free food you can fall back on, when you don't know what to eat for lunch. The real man's grub.

So, you can imagine the look on everyone's faces when this humble plate of cai png from VivoCity bought on first day of Chinese New Year cost S$20.40:

I'>
know it's festive season and there will be an increase in the Prices for food. Also lazy to go find a Coffeeshop thats...

Posted by Patrick Tan on Monday, February 8, 2016

In case you can't see the full post, this is what it said:

I know it's festive season and there will be an increase in the Prices for food. Also lazy to go find a Coffeeshop thats still open. That's why I'm having maggi mee now at home. This afternoon I had my lunch in cck and they increased by $1. My Friend ordered this rice at Vivo city. 1 chicken wing. 1 spring roll. 1 egg and 2 types of veges. Guess how much? It's $20.40.

To be fair, it contains one rice and five sides: One chicken wing, a spring roll, egg and two types of vegetable.

It validates Adam Smith's notion of the invisible hand though.

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