Iced Milo priced higher than beer; diners say it’s simply unacceptable

Singapore, Jan 13 — A diner has complained that an iced Milo at a Vietnamese restaurant in Sunshine Plaza is priced at S$5, making it more expensive than a S$3 can of beer — a price she found unacceptable.

Madam Liang, 70, told Shin Min Daily News that she and her husband visited OCMAI, a Vietnamese eatery on the first floor of Sunshine Plaza, on Jan 2. Her husband bought a can of beer and an iced Milo at the counter and paid S$8 in total. She later discovered the iced Milo alone cost S$5, and said she confronted staff because she felt the charge was unreasonable, arguing Milo should remain an affordable, everyday drink.

A visit to the restaurant showed the prices were clearly stated on the menu: hot Milo at S$3 and iced Milo at S$5.

The restaurant’s manager, Ms Mai, 45, said the situation was frustrating. She claimed Liang’s husband was informed of the iced Milo price before it was prepared and agreed to it, without expressing dissatisfaction at the time. She added that prices are clearly listed and customers are free not to purchase if they feel it is too expensive. Explaining the pricing, she cited high rent and rising operating costs, while noting cheaper options remain available, including beer at S$3.

Ms Mai also alleged Liang argued loudly with staff and disrupted business, while Liang denied causing a scene and said it was the staff’s poor attitude and loud tone that escalated the dispute. She maintained she only wanted an explanation.

Separately, checks at nearby hawker centres found iced Milo typically priced between S$2.50 and S$2.80. In the same building, a neighbouring eatery reportedly sells iced Milo for about S$2.70, more than S$2 cheaper than OCMAI’s price — leading some interviewees to say S$5 might be understandable for Vietnamese specialty coffee, but pricing iced Milo at the same level is puzzling.