Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China – A small restaurant in Hangzhou has come under fire after charging more than 2,188 yuan (US$320 / VND 8.1 million) for a single bowl of noodles, sparking widespread criticism on Chinese social media.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on September 13, the controversy erupted when a diner shared the restaurant’s updated menu online, accusing the owner of overcharging customers.
The $320 Noodle Bowl
The restaurant’s menu, updated in August, shows nearly all dishes priced above 2,000 yuan (VND 7.4 million). The signature noodle dish costs 2,188 yuan and includes ingredients such as 270 grams of eel, 400 grams of red shrimp, 210 grams of abalone, along with smaller portions of onion, egg, or salted roe.
Customers requesting extra toppings, such as tomatoes, are charged an additional 20 yuan (US$2.70 / VND 74,000).
Despite the high prices, the restaurant itself is described as cramped and modest. The owner, identified as Mr. Wu, defended the pricing, claiming it reflects “Michelin-level skills” and the “exceptional quality” of the dishes.
“Customers will enjoy flavors far superior to other restaurants,” Wu insisted, noting that more than 10 people had already ordered the noodles, with some even taking them to Shanghai via high-speed rail.
Mixed Reactions from Influencers and Diners
However, many of these customers were social media influencers (KOLs) who bought the dish to create content. Their reviews sharply contrasted Wu’s claims, with several saying the quality did not justify the sky-high cost.
Images of the restaurant’s price list quickly went viral, with netizens blasting it as “daylight robbery.” One user commented: “The prices are even higher than luxury restaurants in Shanghai.” Another urged authorities to step in.
A user also shared a photo of the same restaurant’s menu from 2022, when its most expensive dish was priced at less than 70 yuan (US$9.60 / VND 260,000) — a stark contrast to today’s rates.
Legal Perspective
Local media reported that Wu has been running the restaurant since 2021. Initially, he did not cook himself, but later took over kitchen duties after staff resigned. Wu emphasized that the noodles are only cooked fresh upon order and use seafood sourced daily from local markets.
Legal experts, however, clarified that the restaurant is not violating any laws, as long as prices are clearly displayed and dishes accurately described.
Still, the incident has fueled heated online debates over price transparency, dining value, and social media hype culture in China’s evolving food scene.
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Source: Vietnam Insider