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Chinatown restaurant imposes S$3.50 CNY charge for refreshments, customer claims he was not told in advance
The manager said that her colleagues had informed the group, but a misunderstanding may have arisen as the diners did not turn up at the same time.
February 06, 2026, 07:02 PM
With Chinese New Year (CNY) approaching, many businesses have begun to include CNY surcharges in their prices.
One diner at Yan Palace Restaurant in Chinatown alleged that he was charged S$3.50 per person while dining there on Feb. 2.
Zheng (transliteration) told Shin Min Daily News that he was at the restaurant with his colleagues at about 6pm that day and was not informed of the surcharge beforehand.
The restaurant’s manager later told Shin Min that the fee was for a “CNY package” that included tea, napkins, and other refreshments.
She added that customers could inform the restaurant in advance if they did not wish to receive the package.
No mention of surcharge in restaurant
Zheng said he ordered seven dishes and two bowls of rice, but the receipt indicated miscellaneous expenses for 10 people.
He claimed there was no mention of the CNY surcharge on the restaurant’s walls or menu, nor was there any explanation provided before the meal or at the point of payment.
He only discovered the charge after receiving the receipt.
Package price of tea, water and other items
When Shin Min reporters visited the restaurant on Feb. 5, they confirmed that no notices related to the charges were posted on the exterior or inside the restaurant.
The restaurant manager told Shin Min that the S$3.50 surcharge was a package price that included Chinese tea, plain water, napkins chilli and peanuts served as appetisers.
The fee is charged from Feb. 1 to Mar. 3.
She explained that a cup of tea usually costs S$3, while a plate of appetisers costs S$3.50.
As the restaurant becomes busier during the CNY period, they decided to combine the items into a single package under a S$3.50 surcharge.
The fees are not mandatory, she added, and customers can inform staff if they do not wish to receive or pay for them.
"Although I was not there that day, I heard that my colleagues had explained it to the customers. They did not all arrive at the same time, but rather in stages, which may have caused some misunderstandings," she said.
Restaurant looking into putting up notice of surcharge
Zheng said he later returned to the restaurant to ask about the charge, and staff told him it was a CNY surcharge.
They also reportedly told him they would remind staff to explain it to customers in advance.
He said he believes restaurants should clearly list their charges, such as the cost of napkins and side dishes, instead of categorising them vaguely.
"This practice is unreasonable; businesses should ensure transparent pricing," he said.
He also believes the surcharge should only be collected one week before or after CNY, and that charging it two weeks in advance is “unreasonable”.
The restaurant manager said she has reported the matter to the owner, and the restaurant may post notices and list these charges on the menu in the future.
She added that staff will also receive training to ensure they explain the relevant information to diners clearly.
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