Mr Calvin Tong, 24, who dined at Food Republic in Nex recently, said he was shocked to find $11 prawn noodles selling at a heartland food court.
Said the transport planner: 'Food courts should be for people who want an economical meal. If the stalls are charging the same prices as a casual restaurant, they should not be in a food court.'
Similarly, executive secretary Jasmine Phua, 36, was aghast at the food prices at Rasapura Masters. Most meals cost more than $6 there, with a plate of chicken rice priced at $6.50.
Madam Phua, who ate there during a recent MBS hotel stay, said: 'For the price I paid to eat here, I could have gone to a casual restaurant in town.'
Retiree S. H. Chua, 80, who visited it out of curiosity but chose not to dine there, said: 'The food here is too expensive, and people who eat here are paying for the brand name and high rent.'
Industry observers, including food court stallholders, say the monthly rent at Rasapura Masters can be about $20,000. This amount is at least twice the rent of a food court stall in Orchard Road.