A restaurant in Chongqing, China has been accused of using a “yin yang menu” targeting different customers, with significant price discrepancies for similar dishes based on customers’ accents. A related video circulating on social media platforms recently sparked public attention.
The incident began on January 9th when a blogger received a submission from a fan, claiming that a restaurant in Chongqing practiced differential pricing for locals and non-locals. To verify the situation, the blogger and a Chongqing local friend split into two groups and dined at the restaurant simultaneously, with one group ordering in the local accent and the other in a non-local accent.
The selected dishes by both groups were mostly the same, including half a plain chicken soup and multiple snacks. Upon checking out, they found price differences: the non-local group spent a total of 283 yuan, with the half chicken soup priced at 116 yuan; the local accent group spent 264 yuan, with the same chicken soup priced at only 86 yuan. The various snacks also showed price discrepancies to different extents, for example, the pan-fried wheat cakes were priced at 23 yuan and 29 yuan, the goose meat buns at 16 yuan and 26 yuan, the pan-fried sticky rice duck at 53 yuan and 69 yuan, the “dancing shrimp” at 59 yuan and 79 yuan, and the scented catfish slices at 49 yuan and 68 yuan.
Upon comparing receipts, the blogger discovered that the restaurant had two sets of ordering and payment systems: “Hall A” and “Cashier 01” for local customers, and “Hall B” and “Cashier 02” for non-local customers. When randomly asking other customers in the restaurant, the same half chicken soup showed different prices like 78 yuan and 116 yuan.
In response to the criticism, the restaurant manager offered explanations citing system updates, prices linked to membership, and later denied differential pricing, claiming to be unaware of the price variations. The blogger pointed out that the restaurant seemingly identified customers based on their accents and might have ties with taxi drivers for benefits. The restaurant refuted giving kickbacks, stating that they only provided “work meals” to the drivers.
On January 30th, the Chongqing Municipal Market Supervision Department issued a statement in response to the online circulation of the “yin yang menu” incident, confirming the restaurant’s violation of regulations. The restaurant has currently suspended its operations.