The newly started hybrid canteen model at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) has stirred controversy online, after a netizen likened the offered pre-packed meals to “cookhouse food” served in the military.
Reddit user Taenyfan95 shared two bento lunch options on Saturday (Jan 3), claiming that it was what secondary school students at HCI received.
The meals pictured consist of rice as well as sides of vegetables and/or meat, plated in turquoise-coloured divided trays.
“I hope this doesn’t become a trend,” wrote the user.
We are feeding SG kids cookhouse food from Secondary School
byu/taenyfan95 insingapore
The school said last October that it has partnered with caterer SATS to manage its canteens beginning 2026. Food prepared at SATS’ central kitchen is available alongside offerings from some on-site stalls, the Straits Times reported.
A HCI teacher, Charles Low, told the publication then that canteen operators had found it challenging to maintain affordable pricing. The bento meals can be pre-ordered through an app, with menus rotated monthly.
The Reddit post had garnered more than 2,500 upvotes and over 600 comments, mostly from netizens who similarly turned up their noses at the presentation of the meal.
