Canteen B Is Now Koufu

Over the summer break, the South Spine canteen received a major facelift as food court operator Koufu takes over the management of the eatery.

By Cynthia Choo, News Editor

NEW LOOK: The newly renovated canteen, under the management of Koufu, brings more food choices to NTU.
PHOTO: YEO KAI WEN

After a two-month renovation, Canteen B reopened in late July with more stalls and an airconditioned cafe. Now managed by food court operator Koufu, the newly renovated canteen has 15 stalls, which include four new stalls selling dim sum, pizzas, Japanese cuisine, and dessert.

Koufu has also changed the top deck of the canteen at basement three to an air-conditioned cafe.

The cafe, 1983 — A Taste of Nanyang, offers coffeeshop staples including nasi lemak and bun sets.

The new food court has a seating capacity of 1,050. The operating hours have also been extended, serving food from 7am to 9pm.

Only the Indian, mixed vegetable rice, chicken rice, and Western food stalls retained their previous vendors. All other stalls have new owners.

Also, the former yong tau foo, bubble tea and fruit juice stalls are no longer part of the line-up.

Currently, only the Western food stall has Halal certification.

Nasi padang stall owner Mr Zan Ho said his stall is awaiting approval for the Halal certificate, which could take up to six months to secure.

Mr Jimmy Lee, Chief Housing & Auxiliary Services Officer said the department hopes more stalls will obtain the certificate.

New look at a cost

Students at the new canteen were pleased with the new look and food choices.

Tan Shu Wei, 20, a second-year student from the Nanyang Business School (NBS), said: “The food court looks cleaner, and there’s a change of furniture and cutleries.”

But the improvements came at a higher price.

Chicken rice costs 50 cents more, now at S$2.50 a plate. The mixed vegetable rice stall now charges $2.40 for a plate of rice with one meat and two vegetable dishes, a 40 cent increase.

Satish Menon, 22, a third-year student from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, did not take well to the change.

He said: “I was shocked to see that prices have increased. I wasn’t expecting it.”

Satish added that he felt students should have been informed by the school about price changes beforehand.

Kenny Phua, 24, a PhD student from NBS, said: “I wouldn’t mind if prices increased 20 to 30 cents. It would only be fair to the vendors who face increases in rent.”

COMPROMISE: Along with changes like longer opening hours, new furniture and more seating space comes with an increase in food prices for some items.
PHOTO: YEO KAI WEN

Chicken rice vendor Chuan Hock Lian said his rent has increased due to the new rental scheme.

He said he used to pay a basic rent of $3,000. But now, an additional 13 per cent for earnings that exceed the basic rent is charged.

Mr Chuan explained that he requested to increase food prices due to the higher rent, and Koufu approved his request.

“If the school doesn’t allow me to increase my chicken rice price by 50 cents, I won’t be able to pay my workers,” he said in Mandarin.

Justifying his increase, he added: “I increased the price, but I also offer additional dishes such as toufu or vegetables.”