Backlash for S'pore food vloggers who dressed as monk & Guan Yin to review Hokkien mee in the west

Singaporean food vlogger Jazz Ang, who goes by the online moniker botakjazz, has come under fire after a recent food review.

Food review dressed in monk's robes

In a video that has since been deleted, Ang appeared dressed in robes resembling those worn by Tang Sanzang from the Chinese literary classic Journey to the West.

He was accompanied by a fellow vlogger whose outfit resembled that of the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin.

Speaking to Stomp, Ang said the costumes were meant to reflect the idea of a "Journey to the West", as he lived in the eastern part of Singapore.

The pair visited two Hokkien mee stalls in Bukit Batok: 777 Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee and Yong Heng Fried Squid Prawn Mee, where they reviewed the food while in costume.

Although the original video was later deleted, a screen-recorded version was shared to the Facebook group Complaint Singapore on Mar. 9, drawing criticism from online users.

"This food blogger is too much! He is demeaning and insulting Buddhism," said the user who uploaded the recording. "No apology has been said and just took down the video after hurting the Buddhist community."

Several commenters echoed similar sentiments, saying the portrayal was disrespectful to the religion.

Buddhists are encouraged to observe a vegetarian diet on the first and 15th days of the lunar month, according to Singapore’s Inter-Religious Organisation.

Additionally, monks and nuns in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism are vegetarians, with a diet that is also free from garlic, onion, spring onions, leeks, shallots and sometimes eggs.

Public apology

On Mar. 10, Ang posted a public apology on Facebook.

"I've seen the feedback from many people and understand that the content made some uncomfortable," he wrote.

Ang said the video was not intended to mock religion, but was created as part of his usual content.

However, he acknowledged that greater sensitivity is needed when using religious imagery, and that the episode had prompted him to reflect more deeply.

"Buddhism teaches mindfulness, compassion, and tolerance. If we truly practice these values, our response should be calm rather than outrage," he said.

Ang added that he respects everyone who takes their faith seriously, but hopes that "when expressing their positions, everyone can offer more understanding and introspection, along with less emotion and confrontation."

Top photos from Complaint Singapore/Facebook