@8dayssg: Xi’An Impression, a Chinese eatery in Jurong East, has come under fire on Reddit for only having a Chinese menu without any English translations. The user complained that such practices will affect Singapore’s image, likely in reference to the country’s image as an inclusive and multicultural society. Surprisingly, it is not illegal for F&B businesses in Singapore to lack an English menu. They are also not required to hire English-speaking staff, as clarified by the Ministry for Trade and Industry (MTI). The issue, however, remains a hot-button topic online, with many arguing that restaurants lacking the ability to cater to English-speaking customers is ‘exclusionary’ and goes against Singapore’s principles of multiculturalism and inclusivity. Offline, Xi’An Impression owner clarified that he has not received any complaints in the establishment’s 10 years of operation. The eatery did not intentionally choose to avoid English translations in their menus, but felt it was unnecessary as most of their customers were Chinese and regular customers. He also mentioned that translating some dish names may be awkward, such as “Roujiamo” (肉夹馍), which lacks an English equivalent. Though it is sometimes referred to as a “hamburger”, it hardly resembles one, which the eatery fears may lead to confusion and dissatisfaction among customers. Nonetheless, commenters online still felt that translations, even if imperfect, are still necessary in Singapore, especially with many Singaporeans not being able to read Chinese. Many felt that such a practice, if persistent across Singapore, would alienate the country’s minority and non-Chinese speaking population. #8dayssg #8dayssgtrending #sgtiktok #food #singapore

han :

very soon Singapore going to be mini China,and most of the coffee shops workers now days from China, can't even speak semple English, they expect us to speak Chinese

Geoff Bezos :

Nolan has a camera with Google Translate

GRIZZLIES :

I have been to this place. I couldn't read the Chinese menu and walked out. The guy behind the counter saw me looking for a while and didn't seem too interested in helping me anyway.

黑土地松花江 :

I went some mamak shop the menu is not 100% English one how ah? Eg Tulang merah, roti prata

bishan2265 :

govt authority sleeping. No fine meh.

Serenity NZL :

Our handphone is able to take pictures from the Menu for translation. As it seems that there are many dishes but to squeeze every English Translation would make the stall Menu words look messy and tiny. Probably there should be a table Menu with translation for easy references in Chinese , English etc.

neck&shoulders :

Cannot period. It's not about tarnish tourist. It's about our hard faught Social inclusion and cohesivenrss

Gramp Cramp :

Which tourist go Jurong??

Chua SzeYan :

It's a private business. up to them to decide how they want to display, and up to us to decide if we want to buy. Like some other cases. alot of eatly have zero pricing on their food.

Findfully :

Government should step in. This is getting out of hand.

😼 :

Give 1 star Google review 😌

Monk 65 :

Use the Google translation app. 🥰

JW1154 :

have photos ......

perseverance :

Well,none of our business

我爱咖喱香肠 :

You just point and say 这个

user8885025436263 :

What’s there to grumble,this is a private enterprise,if not happy then don’t patronize!

Josh Wink :

Aaah this is in Jurong which technically is not Singapore so it’s fine

Vin :

Use google translate

Gary :

not hard to translate using Google translate with mobile phone camera...

norathexplora :

i think that signboard was ordered from taobao.

ᴊᴀᴄᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ʀɪᴅᴇʀ :

Still can order by the food number tho...

ً :

Why not? Private business it’s their choice. It’s not public infrastructure paid for by taxpayers so what’s the point of even questioning

sami.goreng :

it is actually kind of fun to experiment dishes with unknown name for me

luwe :

What's the big deal....

u-&RT) _¥^'! ¥

Hello SFA? NEA?