Shellfish showdown: Tempers boil over pricey shrimp dish in Phuket

A heated debate has erupted over the pricing of a shrimp dish at a well-known restaurant in Chalong, Phuket. The controversy began when the popular Facebook page Page E So Khia Khao 3 shared a post about the stir-fried lotus lai with shrimp served by Suan Indy Seafood in Soi Kruwattana (Soi Palai 2).

The post highlighted the dish’s price of 550 baht per plate, which many online users found exorbitant. The restaurant’s combative response to this criticism only fuelled the fire further.

Social media quickly became a battleground, with numerous users expressing their discontent. Some even called for the Revenue Department to investigate the restaurant, suggesting that the high prices pointed to significant profits. Comments poured in, including sarcastic suggestions for the restaurant to add even more extravagant items to their menu, such as blackchin fish and “ingredients from heaven,” underscoring the perceived absurdity of the pricing.

In an attempt to address the backlash, the owner of Suan Indy Seafood posted a 2.23-minute video clip. In the video, the owner defended the pricing by explaining that the shrimp used in their dishes are fresh daily and of high quality. The owner specified that the restaurant uses 12-15 large shrimp per kilogram and serves seven shrimp per plate, amounting to approximately half a kilogramme.

“The shrimp are fresh and of high quality, and we use 12-15 large shrimp per kilogramme, serving seven shrimp per plate, which is around half a kilogramme.”

Reactions on social media remained mixed following the owner’s clarification. Some users supported the restaurant, agreeing that the price was justified given the quality and freshness of the seafood. They also praised the taste of the food.

“The price is fair considering the quality and freshness of the shrimp. The food tastes great.”

“The price was still too high and the aggressive response from the restaurant was unnecessary. A kinder approach would have prevented all this trouble.”

However, others continued to argue that the price was too high and criticised the restaurant’s aggressive response to customer inquiries. They suggested that a more courteous approach would have avoided the drama, reported The Phuket News.