Singapore Envoy Criticizes Gurugram Café Over ₹169 'Tasteless' Tea

High Commissioner Simon Wong's critique on social media prompted a response from Chaayos' CEO and widespread reactions online.

Singapore High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, described his experience of drinking a ₹169 cup of chai in Gurugram as 'tasteless' on social media platform X.
Wong's post included photos of the café’s interior and the kulhad (earthen cup) in which the tea was served, though he did not name the café directly.
The post went viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of views and prompting a mix of reactions from users, including criticism of overpriced beverages and suggestions for authentic roadside chai options.
Chaayos CEO Nitin Saluja publicly responded, inviting Wong for another cup of tea and highlighting the brand's commitment to customer satisfaction with a no-questions-asked replacement policy.
Wong expressed gratitude for the response and the overwhelming number of invitations from locals to try homemade or street vendor chai, emphasizing the warmth and hospitality of Indian people.