Tasteless Chai at Chaayos for Rs 169: Singapore Envoy’s Post Sparks Viral Reactions

Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, has ignited a lively discussion on social media after sharing his disappointment over a “tasteless” cup of chai he was served in Gurgaon. On Saturday, Wong revealed that he paid Rs 169 for the drink, which came in a traditional kulhad (earthen cup).

The Viral Post

Taking to social media, Wong expressed his discontent, stating, “The impossible happened. I just had a cup of tasteless #Chai in Gurgaon. ₹169 with tax,” accompanied by photos of the kulhad and the café’s interior. While Wong refrained from explicitly naming the café, the images showed the name of popular tea chain Chaayos on the kulhad, leaving little to guess.

Chaayos CEO Responds

Nitin Saluja, founder of Chaayos, was quick to respond to Wong’s post. Acknowledging the diplomat’s feedback, Saluja wrote, “We are the best chai near you! However, looks like we messed up with your chai today!”

Saluja extended an invitation to Wong to revisit their outlet, stating, “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 critique set off a wave of reactions online, with users sharing their own experiences—both good and bad—about Chaayos. Many echoed the diplomat’s sentiment, while others offered suggestions for authentic Indian chai alternatives.

Maahir, a social media user, recounted his experience, saying, “I had a similar experience at Chaayos in Bangalore. Burger bun for Muska Bun also. To me they’re not a chai brand anymore.”

Sambit, an advertising professional, remarked, “Wong discovered what most Indians knew anyway – Chaayos is overrated & overpriced. And how.”

Another user suggested Wong explore India’s iconic roadside tea stalls, commenting, “Sir, you should try a normal tea stall. Overpriced cafés can’t capture the essence of real Indian chai.” One person quipped, “For ₹169, you could have treated 16 others to chai from a roadside vendor – without taxes and with far more flavour!”

Criticism of Chaayos

Amrendra Kumar Srivastava, an architect, took aim at the chain’s pricing and quality, stating, “Tea at Chaayos is not only of average taste, it is ridiculously overpriced too in the Indian context. Me, a Delhite, found ‘cutting tea’ in many of South Mumbai’s small tea shops to be the best among many outstation tea shops I had tried, outside home.”

Conclusion

Wong’s post has sparked a broader conversation about the growing trend of premium-priced tea cafés in India and whether they deliver value for money. While Chaayos’ founder has made an effort to turn the situation into an opportunity for engagement, the episode highlights the importance of consistency in quality—especially when serving something as beloved and culturally significant as chai in India.