Jakarta, Indonesia – A stir-fried water spinach dish sold for Rp150,000 (approximately $9.50 USD) by Indonesian celebrity Pinkan Mambo has ignited a social media firestorm, prompting discussions about food pricing and affordability. The dish, a simple planning of the leafy green vegetable, has become a focal point of criticism regarding perceived price gouging.
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This is the sauteing sauce of Rp150 thousand spinach that is sold by Pinkan Mambo/ Photo: Tiktok/@meimeimeecin
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“Flavorful,it tastes like spinach. It’s just Rp150 thousand,that’s all!” Mambo reportedly stated,acknowledging the dish’s basic nature while defending its price point.
Mambo, known for her career in the Indonesian entertainment industry, has recently ventured into the food business, offering a range of side dishes alongside the controversial spinach. Her menu also includes Rica Chicken (Rp250,000 per portion, approximately $16 USD), Woku Chicken (Rp250,000), Capcay (Rp150,000), Dabu-Dabu Teri Fish, and Rica Squid.
This isn’t Mambo’s first foray into high-priced food items. She previously sold traditional village donuts for between Rp130,000 and Rp200,000 per dozen. Customers seeking expedited service could reportedly purchase “fast track” access to orders for an undisclosed, but ample, premium.
The pricing strategy has drawn comparisons to other instances of celebrities launching food businesses with elevated price tags, often capitalizing on their fanbase and perceived exclusivity.Water spinach, locally known as kangkung, is a widely available and typically inexpensive vegetable in Indonesia, making the Rp150,000 price tag particularly jarring to many consumers. The debate highlights the growing trend of celebrity-owned food ventures and the public’s scrutiny of their pricing practices.