₹169 tasteless chai at Chaayos: Singapore envoy’s post goes viral, CEO admits, ‘We messed up’
₹169 tasteless chai at Chaayos: Singapore envoy's post goes viral, CEO admits, 'We messed up'
Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, shared his disappointment over a ₹169 chai at Chaayos, igniting a spirited conversation about café culture and authentic Indian tea.
Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, recently sparked a viral discussion on social media after expressing dissatisfaction with a cup of chai he was served at a café in Gurgaon. Wong revealed that he paid ₹169, including taxes, for the tea served in a traditional kulhad (earthen cup), only to find it lacking in flavor.
Taking to social media, Wong shared his experience with images of the kulhad and the café’s interior, writing:
“The impossible happened. I just had a cup of tasteless #Chai in Gurgaon. ₹169 with tax.”
Although Wong did not name the café directly, the kulhad in the photo bore the logo of the popular chai chain Chaayos.
Chaayos Responds
Responding to Wong’s post, Chaayos co-founder Nitin Saluja issued a public apology and invited the diplomat for a complimentary cup of chai, writing:
“Hon’ble Mr. Wong, in the name of deep India-SG friendship, I invite you for a cup of chai at a Chaayos near you. As we enjoy our chai, I’ll share our commitment to getting every chai right, including our no-questions-asked replacement policy!”
Social Media Reactions
Wong’s post triggered a flood of reactions, with many users echoing his sentiment. Several shared their own underwhelming experiences with Chaayos, while others suggested exploring roadside tea stalls for authentic and affordable chai.
A social media user wrote, “For ₹169, you could have treated 16 others to chai from a roadside vendor – without taxes and with far more flavour!”
Another commented:
“Tea at Chaayos is not only of average taste but also ridiculously overpriced. As a Delhite, I find roadside cutting chai in South Mumbai far superior.”
Some also criticized the café’s pricing and quality, with one person recalling a disappointing experience at a Chaayos outlet in Bangalore:
“I had a similar experience. Even their Muska Bun was just a regular burger bun. They’re not a chai brand anymore.”
A Cultural Insight
Wong’s experience has highlighted the disparity between India’s café-style chai culture and the authentic charm of roadside tea vendors. While brands like Chaayos have popularized chai in upscale formats, the debate underscores the enduring appeal of street-side tea stalls, where flavors are bold, and the cost remains a fraction of what cafés charge.
For many, the incident served as a reminder of the simple joy of sipping a steaming cup of chai under the open sky, a tradition that continues to be cherished across India.
